Duke University East Campus

For runners, Duke East Campus is an ideal spot for short distance. Sitting right about 1.7 miles around the loop, the trail is gravel, about half shaded, half sun and has gradual slopes throughout. You right parallel to the road the whole way round, so there’s lots to look at and keep you engaged. There’s always plenty of people on the trail, walking, running, taking their dogs on a jog or having a family outing. Since you’re always in the sight of traffic and there’s almost always a handful of people around, this trail is definitely one of the safer spots in Durham. There’s a couple places where there are large roots in the ground and a handful of vehicle entrances that you should be aware of. The downsides are no bathrooms or water fountains (although there’s a Whole Foods along the path, so if it’s an emergency, I’d recommend running there stat!)
Parking is available inside the campus or in the neighborhoods that line the campus. If you’re not into running, there are also tennis courts on Duke East, free to play and lighted (there are certain hours, mostly during the day, when the courts are reserved for practice). If you’re a beginning runner, this is a great trail to start out on.

One of my favorite spots for a quick run! There’s a nicely maintained gravel path that runs the entire perimeter of East Campus, and is always full (but never crowded) with other runners, walkers, and dog walkers.

It’s beautiful and many nice events to go to on campus!

I love Duke’s East Campus. While I am not a student, my husband, my pup Maddie and myself take frequent walks on this trail. It is very beautiful and very although only 1.7 miles, is a great trail. We usually park at Asbury UMC and is a great free weekend activity where we get to spend some quality time with our pup.

I saw a cat!

Am I seriously the slowest runner in Durham? That is definitely how I feel 95% of the time I run the gravel loop around East Campus! I don’t know what I’ll do if I get passed by one more guy or gal running while pushing a futuristic streamlined stroller…
My athletic ineptitude aside, East Campus really is a nice airy and open spot well suited for tossing a frisbee or football, reading a book, having a picnic, or running around on the aforementioned gravel loop that runs along the outskirt of the campus. As mentioned in other reviews, the gravel loop offers an easy 1.7 or so mile loop that is pretty much as good as you can get for lap running. However, the loop is often packed at peak hours with a range of people from superathletes to meandering couples, as well as some dogs thrown in the mix. So if you’re running or walking during those peak hours, be aware of your surroundings so you don’t get trampled or impede the training of an elite runner! (of which there are seemingly very many in this area)
One super nice aspect of the loop with respect to running is that you can run here until quite late hours while feeling safe as there are emergency call boxes scattered throughout, adequate lighting, frequent surveillance by campus police, and often other people running. I know I’ve come here to get in a late night run on a few occasions, and have been grateful in those instances that this loop exists.
Also, try not to park in the Whole Foods parking lot (or if you do, be super careful that the police officer that is often stationed in that parking lot does not see you) as many people have been ticketed for running in East Campus after leaving their car in the Whole Foods parking lot. Yikes!

I can forgive the loud, partying students and the permanently crowded Whole Foods, because Duke East Campus is just so great. I take full advantage of the gravel loop which is about a 1.7 easy run, always full of other joggers (my God, there are some beastly friggin’ runners in Durham!), families with strollers, couples walking the dog. There’s a volleyball court, plenty of park benches, and lots of trees for settling down with a blanket and a book. Definitely one of the best parts about living in Old West.

This is a great place to hang out on a nice day. I really like the path running along the outer edge of the campus. There are typically lots of people around running, walking, jogging, etc so it feels pretty safe (although, I’ve never been out between the hours of midnight and sunrise, so I can’t vouch for those times). There is also plenty of space for playing frisbee and volleyball.
And the location allows for treating yourself to some ice cream or other reward once you’re done!

I’m not sure if you’re really supposed to be here if you’re not a Duke student; but everyone has always used it as a park, so I’m going to assume that it’s ok.
If you’re looking for a pickup frisbee game, or just a place to run around wild for a bit, Duke East is great. There’s also a nice jogging track that circles the entire campus, and is great for a long solemn walk when you don’t want to really go anywhere.
The best part is the proximity to Ninth Street, so when you get tired of running around refreshment and entertainment are only two blocks away.