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 CenterTrailsLake 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 ExerciseBoating - 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 ProgramsLake Crabtree offers numerous opportunities for nature hikes, mountain biking group rides and beginner rides and canoe or kayaking programs.
Events
Homeschool and Trackout Programs - Outdoor Survival Skills
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 1 PM to 3 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - These programs are geared toward homeschool students, but are open to tracked-out students, as well. Each lesson is two hours and meets at the Beech Shelter *(Unless otherwise noted). These programs are open to students ages 5–12. Preregistration is required... |
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Homeschool and Trackout Programs - Outdoor Survival Skills
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 1 PM to 3 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - These programs are geared toward homeschool students. but are open to tracked out students as well. Each lesson is two hours. Ages 5 - 12... |
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Crabtree Casters
Wednesday, Jul 7, 2010 until Wednesday, Sep 15, 2010 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
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Crabtree Casters
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2010 6:30 PM to 8 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - Join us after work for an evening of fishing and fun. Bring your own fishing pole or borrow one of ours through our Tackle Loaner Program. Bring the kids and we'll help them learn to cast a line as well. Bait is provided by the park... |
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"Beautiful Butterflies” (in celebration of “Take a Child Outside” Week)
Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 10 AM to 12 PM
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Beautiful Butterfiles - in celebration of "Take a Child Outside Week"
Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 10 AM to 12 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - Do you know the differences between Moths and Butterfiles? How about the various ways a butterfly can protect itself from predators? Come join park staff as we hike around Lake Crabtree to discover the answers to those questions and learn other fascinating facts while looking for those Beautiful Bu... |
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Sunset Canoe Trip
Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 6 PM to 8 PM
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Sunset Canoe Trip
Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 6 PM to 8 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - Join park staff as we explore areas of Lake Crabtree that can only be accessed from the water. Many birds and mammals call these areas of the lake home. Your guide will give some very basic canoe instruction, so prior canoeing experience is not necessary... |
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Birding with Vernon
Saturday, Oct 2, 2010 8:30 AM to 12 PM
Saturday, Nov 6, 2010 8:30 AM to 12 PM
Saturday, Dec 4, 2010 8:30 AM to 12 PM
Lake Crabtree County Park -
Meet at the Waterwise Garden (first parking lot on right).
Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. No pre-registration required. FREE Program |
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BIG SWEEP
Saturday, Oct 2, 2010 9 AM to 12 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - Join volunteers around the globe and help clean the world’s waterways. Teams will pick up trash along the shore of Lake Crabtree and its connecting creeks. Gloves, bags, and other supplies are provided by the park... |
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Storytime for Tots - "“Watching Foxes” by Jim Arnosky
Wednesday, Oct 6, 2010 10 AM to 11 AM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - Discover nature beginning with a story, followed by outdoor, hands-on nature exploration. The program will end with a fun activity or craft to take home. Come prepared to actively participate with your child... |
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Homeschool and Trackout Programs - Raptor Roundup
Monday, Oct 11, 2010 10 AM to 11 AM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - These programs are geared toward homeschool students, but are open to tracked out students as well. Each lesson is two hours and meets at the Beech Shelter. These programs are open to students ages 5-12... |
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Paddle Tour of Lake Crabtree
Sunday, Oct 24, 2010 2 PM to 4 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - Get a guided tour of the new interpretive paddling trail around the lake. Learn about the park’s history, wildlife, and other interesting features. Your guide will give some very basic canoe training so prior canoeing experience is not necessary to participate... |
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Homeschool and Trackout Programs - Wild about Water
Monday, Nov 8, 2010 1 PM to 3 PM
| Lake Crabtree County Park - These programs are geared toward homeschool students, but are open to tracked out students as well. Each lesson is two hours and meets at the Beech Shelter. These programs are open to students ages 5-12... |
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