New Hope Creek originates in northern Orange County, North Carolina, flowing southeast through Durham County before joining the Haw River at Jordan Lake in Chatham County. This tributary system drains approximately 75 square miles of the Piedmont region, with the main stem extending roughly 15 miles through a landscape that transitions from forested uplands to bottomland hardwoods.

The creek's character varies considerably along its length. In Orange County, New Hope Creek begins as a modest stream near Duke Forest, gradually gaining volume as it receives tributaries like Sandy Creek and Mud Creek. The upper sections feature rocky substrate with occasional shoals and riffles, flowing through mixed hardwood forests that include beech, oak, and tulip poplar. As the creek enters Durham County, it widens and deepens, carving through a floodplain that creates extensive bottomland forest communities.

Paddling opportunities exist primarily in the lower sections of New Hope Creek, particularly the stretch accessible from Old Chapel Hill Road Park in Durham. The New Hope Bottomlands Trail provides access to approximately 2.2 miles of paddleable water, though conditions vary significantly with rainfall. The creek requires recent precipitation to be navigable, typically needing at least 2 inches of rain within 24 hours to provide adequate depth. Water levels fluctuate rapidly, with runoff subsiding quickly after storms. The creek generally presents Class I-II conditions with occasional fallen trees and strainers posing the primary hazards. Narrow sections averaging 30-50 feet in width demand boat control and awareness. Winter and early spring offer the most reliable water levels and reduced vegetation, while summer paddling often proves challenging due to low flows and dense riparian growth. Mosquitoes become problematic during warmer months.

New Hope Creek supports diverse aquatic life, including the federally endangered Cape Fear shiner, which inhabits rocky shoals and runs. The creek corridor provides habitat for great blue herons, kingfishers, wood ducks, and occasionally river otters. The bottomland forests shelter white-tailed deer, beavers, and various salamander species. Invasive Asian clams have been documented in some sections.

Historical significance includes the New Hope Creek Corridor, protected through a 1991 multi-jurisdictional agreement between Durham County, Orange County, Chapel Hill, and Durham. This master plan aimed to preserve the creek as an open space corridor connecting Eno River State Park with Jordan Lake. The creek's name likely derives from early Quaker settlements in the region.

Access remains limited, with Old Chapel Hill Road Park serving as the primary public launch point. The US Highway 15-501 bridge crossing features an improved underpass designed to facilitate wildlife movement. Paddlers should obtain required permits and respect private property boundaries, as much of the creek flows through undeveloped private land. Minimum flow releases and run-of-river operations at the historic Bynum Dam (currently non-operational) have been subjects of environmental review to protect aquatic habitat. No established multi-day trips exist given the creek's modest length and access limitations.