Orange County, NC Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- County parks
- Dawn to dusk (posted)
- Lit fields
- Later for permitted use
- After-hours entry
- Second-degree trespass
- State law
- N.C.G.S. 14-159.13
Summary
Orange County and its town parks close at posted hours, most from dawn to dusk, with lit athletic facilities running later for scheduled use. Staying after closing is second-degree trespass under N.C.G.S. 14-159.13 once you have been notified or the park is posted.
A person commits the offense of second degree trespass if, without authorization, the person enters or remains on any of the following: (1) On premises of another after the person has been notified not to enter or remain there by the owner, by a person in charge of the premises, by a lawful occupant, or by another authorized person. (2) On premises that are posted, in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders, with notice not to enter the premises.
Full Breakdown
Orange County parks such as Blackwood Farm, Little River, and Cedar Grove operate on posted dawn-to-dusk or seasonal hours, and Chapel Hill and Carrboro parks post similar closing times. Lit sports fields may stay open to roughly 10:00 p.m. for permitted games. After-hours presence, overnight parking, and camping without authorization are prohibited. Enforcement runs through second-degree trespass, N.C.G.S. 14-159.13: once a park is posted with notice or a ranger or officer tells you to leave, remaining is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Trails and greenways typically follow the same dawn-to-dusk window as the park they connect to.
Violations & Fines
Remaining in a closed park after notice or past posted signs is second-degree trespass, a Class 3 misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. 14-159.13(a). Unauthorized camping and after-hours vehicle entry draw citations from park staff or police.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Orange County parks close?
What happens if I stay in a park after closing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
Compare Orange County to another location·View the North Carolina curfew laws overview
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