Durham, North Carolina was once home to the Eno and Occoneechi Native American tribes. European explorers and settlers began to take interest in the area during the early 1700s. Pretty soon, the town became inhabited by groups of colonists from England, Scotland, and Ireland. The new settlers cultivated the land and constructed grist mills in order to help grow and maintain the community.
Although the town didn’t experience any major American Revolution battles, they were still negatively affected by the conflict. Food and money were in short supply, forcing citizens to endure significant struggles. As the years went on, the town would eventually recover. After the end of the Civil War, Durham began to experience unprecedented growth and expansion. This was mainly due to the booming tobacco industry. By the turn of the 20th century, the population had ballooned to over 6,600 residents. Today, this thriving city boasts a population of more than 280,000 citizens.
During your visit, take time to explore the Bennett Place State Historic Site to learn more about the American Civil War. This former homestead features a reconstructed farm, living history performances, and a research library. Next, take a stroll through the gorgeous Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a 55-acre garden located on the grounds of the prestigious Duke University.
Durham is well-known for its hearty, Southern-style meals. The Home Plate Restaurant is a family-owned eatery that offers an excellent array of traditional Southern fare, including boneless pork chops, candied yams, turnip greens, fried apples, and sweet peas. If you are looking for a more upscale yet still Southern experience, check out NanaSteak. Menu options include charcoal grilled ribeye, filet mignon, braised collard greens, and charred broccoli.
Spring Hill Mobile RV is conveniently located near the Scenic Byway as well as several shopping centers in nearby Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This peaceful, nature-centered campground provides full hookups, Wi-Fi access, a playground, and pull-through sites. Pets are welcome at this RV park.
Coopers RV Park is a dog-friendly campground with over 50 RV sites. Available amenities include full hookups, shower facilities, adequate cell reception, and pull-through sites. Please keep in mind that dogs must be leashed at all times. Daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term rates are available.
Nestled in a quiet, wooded area, Goodwin’s RV Campground in Moncure, North Carolina is an ideal location for nature lovers. The facility provides big rig access, full hookups, and cable television access. Your pets are welcome here, but they must be kept on a leash.
The 5,000-acre Falls Lake State Recreation Area spans Durham and Wake Counties in North Carolina. Situated along Falls Lake, this beautiful park features portions of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. This massive backpacking and hiking trail stretches more than 1,100 miles. Mountain biking trails are also available. If you enjoy water-based activities, Falls Lake is an ideal destination. Water-based activities include kayaking, canoeing, swimming, jet skiing, and fishing. The lake is stocked with blue catfish, bluegill, yellow perch, white bass, and much more.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a 4,500-acre park that sits along Jordan Lake. With a shoreline of over 150 miles, this lovely lake offers a wide range of recreational activities. Some of these activities include boating, kayaking, jet skiing, canoeing, and fishing. Windsurfing is also popular on the lake. There are eight main hiking trails in the park, including Old Oak Trail, Poplar Point Campground Trail, Ebenezer Church Trail, and the Children’s Nature Trail. This nature-centered recreation area provides a host of desirable amenities, such as bathhouses, picnic shelters, and an amphitheater. There are several RV campgrounds to choose from, with overnight prices ranging from $26 to $65.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a modest park that’s nestled along Kerr Lake. With a healthy population of striped bass, bluegill, large-mouth bass, and catfish, this 50,000-acre reservoir is a fisherman’s dream. Along with fishing, you can enjoy jet skiing, sailing, and water-tubing activities. The park houses a variety of campsites, including North Bend Park, Hibernia, and Kimball Point. Birdwatching is another nature-centered activity you can enjoy. The area around Kerr Lake is known for its abundance of bird species, including cranes, loons, and yellow-throated warblers.
Established in 1986, the Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial preserves the former home of Patrick Henry, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Henry used the plantation as a retirement home. He lived there until his death in 1799. Along with his home, the land contains his former law office as well as his gravesite. In addition to commemorating Patrick Henry’s life, the site memorializes the lives of the enslaved people who once worked the land. The Quarter Place features a cemetery that is believed to be the final resting place for a number of enslaved people and their family members who came after them.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is a well-preserved village that dates back to the 1800s. The park houses the site of the Battle of Appomattox Court House. This notable battle was one of the final conflicts of the American Civil War. There are at least a dozen restored structures in the park, including the New County Jail, the Old Appomattox Court House, the Woodson Law Office, and the Charles Sweeney Cabin. You can even visit the site of General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant’s military headquarters.
The Booker T. Washington National Monument showcases the childhood home of notable educator and African American community leader, Booker T. Washington. The land, which was used as a tobacco farm, was occupied by a small group of enslaved people during the 1800s. This included Washington as well as his family. Building replicas include slave cabins, kitchen cabins, and farm buildings.
Croatan National Forest is a coastal North Carolina forest that encompasses nearly 160,000 acres of land. The forest features a wide variety of plant and animal life. Here, you will find pine forests, Venus flytraps, bald eagles, black bears, and much more. Because the forest is in close proximity to the White Oak River, the Neuse River, and the Bogue Sound, you shouldn’t have any issues finding a water-based activity. Fishing, canoeing, boating, and swimming are permitted. Several nature trails provide opportunities for hiking and off-roading.
Located within the Allegheny Mountains, Monongahela National Forest covers well over 900,000 acres. The forest is filled with a variety of lush tree species, such as mountain ash and red spruce. The area even includes high-elevation mountain peaks, including the 4,800-foot Spruce Knob. This massive peak is actually the highest known peak within the Allegheny Mountains. Various animal species reside in this rugged forest. Gray foxes, white-tailed deer, skunks, wild turkeys, and river otters represent just a few of these animal species.
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, which are situated within the Appalachian Mountains, cover a whopping 1.8 million acres. Spanning across the states of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, the forests contain a host of notable features. These features include parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, over 200,000 acres of primeval forests, an abandoned town, and 25 wilderness areas. Recreational activities include hiking, hunting, and mountain biking.
Situated along the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Shenandoah National Park welcomes over 1.5 million visitors per year. There are mountain peaks within the park that rise more than 3,000 feet in elevation, making them the perfect setting for rock climbers. With a host of prehistoric rock formations, the mountains also allow you to come into contact with rock fragments that date as far back as 300 million years. There are at least nine majestic waterfalls contained in this 199,000-acre park. At least half of them measure over 50 feet in height. The Dark Hollow Trail offers opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. White-tailed deer, black bears, and bobcats are just a few of the animals you might spot along the way.
The 72,000-acre New River Gorge National Park helps to preserve the New River Gorge. Located in the state of West Virginia, the gorge provides stunning scenic views and a variety of recreational opportunities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing. The New River provides a safe ecosystem for a thriving aquatic life population. The river is home to crayfish, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, trout, and black-bellied salamanders. In addition to the flowing New River, the gorge encompasses several 18th and 19th-century ruins. Here, you will find abandoned coal mining structures, railroad equipment, former homesteads, and railroad depots.
Covering 26,000 acres of land, Congaree National Park is one of the smallest national parks in the country. With that being said, this South Carolina park still has much to offer. The park is filled with lush bottomland hardwood trees. Some of these fascinating trees boast heights of more than 150 feet. Within the forest area, you may encounter everything from coyotes and armadillos to deer and bobcats. The park also features hiking trails and canoe trails. There’s even an elevated boardwalk that allows you to take a walk through the swamp areas.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Durham, NC, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Durham?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Durham from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Durham?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.