Johnston Mill Nature Preserve
Located north of Chapel Hill and south of Hillsborough, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve is part of a large expanse of unfragmented mixed hardwood forest in Orange County. A two-mile section of New Hope Creek winds through the northeast corner of this property as it travels southward to Durham. Visitors to the preserve are treated to a scenic blend of rocky outcrops, stony creek bottoms and mature forest. New Hope Creek meanders southward to Jordan Lake, the drinking water supply for thousands of Triangle residents. The waterway remains clean and forested for much of its length and serves as a haven for wildlife and hikers even as it passes through a sprawling suburban area.
Springtime at Johnston Mill erupts with a carpet of ephemeral wildflowers like trout lily, hepatica, Jack-in-the-pulpit, spring beauty and Catesby’s trillium. The preserve is also home to upland chorus frogs, northern cricket frogs, spotted and marbled salamanders and several plants and animals rare in North Carolina, including the four-toed salamander, Thorey’s grayback dragonfly and the green violet. More than 125 bird species have been observed here, including year-round residents and migratory birds.
Johnston Mill Nature Preserve trail guide
Johnston Mill spring wildflowers
"All I want is to sit on my porch and see tomorrow what I see today...and I want my grandchildren to see it too."