Lake Crabtree County Park offers visitors a variety of exciting opportunities for outdoor recreation. Located on a 215-acre site adjacent to a 520-acre flood control lake, some of the park's main attractions include fishing, boating, hiking, group and individual picnicking, mountain biking, and nature study.  (more details)

Lake Crabtree County Park offers visitors a variety of exciting opportunities for outdoor recreation. Located on a 215-acre site adjacent to a 520-acre flood control lake, some of the park's main attractions include fishing, boating, hiking, group and individual picnicking, mountain biking, and nature study.

Programs range from nature study to recreational opportunities. Family, children, and group programs available. Hiking and mountain bike trails, picnic shelters, fishing areas, and large open play area are featured. Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and rowboats can be rented during summer months.

Newsletter
Wake County Quarterly Newsletter
http://www.wakegov.com/parks/general/programs.htm
Contact park main line for subscription information at (919)460-3390.

GrEEn Center
Features Include
Native Landscaping
Recycling Program
Energy Efficient Lighting
Energy Efficient Heating/Cooling
Rain barrel for native garden
Electric golf cart for park patrols

HealthEE Center
Trails
Lake Crabtree offers trails for different uses. The trail types include: Hiking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails and Paved Access Trails. Please respect the intended use of each trail system and read the "Trail User Ethics and Responsibilities" in the Lake Crabtree brochure.

Hiking Trails - These trails are designed for walkers and joggers only.
- The Lake Trail - 6.0 miles
  This extensive trail, marked by blue blazes, forms a complete pedestrian loop around the shoreline of Lake 
  Crabtree. The trail can be accessed from the floodplain or from the kiosk across from the Manager's Office. Plan
  ahead! This trail can take 2½ - 3½ hours to complete. Please be aware that sections of the lake trail are sometimes
  flooded.
- Old Beech Nature Trail - 0.6 miles
  This short, self-guided loop is a footpath marked with white blazes. Interpretative signs highlight points of interest
  such as a massive Beech tree, a tree identification center, and an old saw mill site. Walking time is 30 minutes.

Mountain Bike Trails - This trail consists of a series of loops marked by yellow blazes with connectors marked by red blazes. These trail loops, designed for the beginning to intermediate bike rider, are used by mountain bikers, joggers and walkers, each of whom shares responsiblity for the safety of one another.
Please call the main park line at 919-460-3390 for current trail conditions. Trails are closed periodically due to wet conditions and/or maintenance. Helmets are required for all bikers.

Loop 1: 1.7 miles
Connector A: 0.3 miles

Loop 2: 0.5 miles
Connector B: 0.2 miles

Loop 3: 0.6 miles
Connector C: 0.5 miles

Loop 4: 1.3 miles
Connector D: 0.4 miles

Loop 5: 0.7 miles
Connector E: 0.4 miles

Paved Access Trails
These trails connect all of the main park facilities, including the Boat Rental Complex, gazebo, restrooms, fishing pier, picnic shelters, individual picnic areas, and boat ramp. This handicap accessible, five-foot wide asphalt trail is convenient and easy for everyone. It gently winds through the trees and leads to several waterfront locations. No bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades are allowed on the paved trails.

Other Exercise
Boating - Lake Crabtree is ideal for water sports such as fishing, sailing, rowing and paddling. The park has a boat rental facility open from mid-April until the end of September. The park also has a year-round public boat launch area which includes a two-lane boat ramp and a car-top canoe/kayak launching area. All lake users are cautioned that shallow waters less than three feet deep exist in some areas. Only electric motors are to be operated in Lake Crabtree, no gas powered motors allowed.

Boat Launch Fees
Please deposit daily launch fees in yellow honor boxes. To purchase an annual pass, please call 460-3390. Your fees help to maintain the park facilities.

Type of Boat
Daily
Annual

Boats on a trailer
$3.00
$45.00

Cartop boats
$2.00
$30.00

Boat Rental
For hours of operation and fees, see the Boat Rental information sheet. This sheet also includes sailing class schedules.

Sailboats, rowboats, canoes and kayaks are available for rent on the park's waterfront from mid-April through the end of October. All rentals are on a first-come, first-serve basis and by the hour. A $20.00 cash deposit is required as well as photo identification. A customer must at least 18 years of age in order to rent a boat. A customer at least 16 years of age may take a boat out, but must have a parent or guardian sign the release form.

Health Programs
Lake Crabtree offers numerous opportunities for nature hikes, mountain biking group rides and beginner rides and canoe or kayaking programs.  (hide details)