Old Waynesborough Park

Old Waynesborough Park has 4 miles of trails on over 150 acres of land. There are 4 trails, Red, Yellow, Orange, and Blue, all color-coded with stakes along each path for easy navigation. Trails wind through open spaces, shaded forest, cypress swamp, and along scenic overlooks of both the Neuse and Little Rivers. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find a map of the trails in the park.

 Biking

Visitors are welcome to ride bikes through the park but riders should watch out for exposed roots, fallen branches, and other impediments along the trails. We suggest using only mountain bikes and wearing a helmet for safety.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome at Old Waynesborough Park but we ask that pets stay on their leash in the park.

Bird Watching

Nearly 150 different species of birds have been identified at Old Waynesborough Park including the Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, and Red-shouldered Hawk. There are species yet to be seen and we encourage anyone that spots an interesting species (animals included) to let us know. We have compiled a list of bird species in PDF format that can be viewed by clicking here. Bird watching is a great family outing and can be both fun and educational for children. We have created a bird scavenger hunt with some of the more common and interesting species found at the park, with pictures and a short description. Click here to view the PDF document.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed along the banks of the Neuse River but be careful in selecting a spot as there are areas where the trails drop off sharply into the river. There are several areas that provide wide, flat banks with plenty of space and the river offers a wide variety of species including bass, catfish, and shad. North Carolina requires a permit for freshwater fishing which can be obtained online from the NC Wildlife Resources website (click here).

Canoeing / Kayaking

Kayaks and canoes can be launched from Old Waynesborough Park into both the Neuse and Little Rivers. The Neuse is navigable by small craft from the Raleigh area to the coast and provides over one hundred miles of scenic beauty. Be sure to check river conditions before your trip. Even small amounts of rain can drastically affect water levels and speed. The North Carolina Paddle Trails Association website (click here) is a great source for information including river maps.

Churchill-Cogdell Cemetery

Although the town of Waynesborough disappeared over 150 years ago there is still a remnant of that era along the trail. The Churchill-Cogdell cemetery is a small family gravesite with several tombstones, mostly from the mid-nineteenth century. Check the trail map below to find its location.

Old Waynesborough Trail Map

          Click here for a larger view