Boating, biking, bird-watching: 10 Lakes near Raleigh for a day by the water
North Carolina has some incredible natural scenery and is home to a total of 59 lakes.
Many of these can make a great day out, but they vary quite a bit. If you're looking for things to do near Raleigh, a trip to the lake is perfect. So how do you decide between the many lakes near Raleigh, NC?
Let's take a look at some of the best lakes in the Raleigh area so you can get some ideas. Keep reading for more.
1. Lake Johnson: Paddle or pedal
Lake Johnson Park can be found in the southeast of Raleigh and is home to this 60.7-hectare lake. It's a great place to take the family, and you'll find plenty of activities to do here.
If you like a bit of adventure, you can rent canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards. You can even make use of the private boat launch that's on site.
If you don't want to get out on the water, you can go for a hike instead. There are eight kilometers of hiking trails around the park to enjoy. You can also use the picnic areas, fishing boardwalk and fit trail at your leisure.
2. Lake Wheeler: Year-round fishing in Raleigh
Lake Wheeler is one of Raleigh's most popular lakes and with good reason. It was originally built in 1956 as a water supply for the city, and it still provides Wake County communities with water to this day. It's just south of the city center and covers 263 hectares.
With boat rentals, water skiing and tubing, the summer is a great time to visit Lake Wheeler. The many piers are also perfect for fishing. The lake and the park it sits in are open all year round, but they close on Mondays between October and April.
3. Lake Lynn: Plenty of places to play
Some Raleigh lakes are smaller than others, and Lake Lynn is just 22.5 hectares. This, however, doesn't diminish the fact that it's great for a day out. It's a man-made lake that was built in 1976 for flood control but is now a popular choice for recreation.
The park has playgrounds, tennis courts, bocce courts, a batting cage and a youth baseball field, so those interested in sports will feel at home. There's also a 4.5 km trail around the lake and a large picnic shelter that you can relax under.
4. Lake Howell: Home to Pullen Park paddle boats
Lake Howell sits within the historic Pullen Park which is between the city center and North Carolina State University. It was the first-ever public park in North Carolina, so it's worth visiting if you're interested in history.
The park gets thousands of visitors every day who enjoy activities like canoeing, kayaking or paddle boat rental. There's even a mini-train that goes around the edge of the lake.
On top of this, the park has tennis courts, basketball courts, a softball field, a carousel and an art center. You can even catch free theatre performances at the Theatre In The Park.
5. Falls Lake: Hit the beach close to home
Falls Lake is actually just outside of Raleigh in Wake Forest, but it's easy enough to get to. It's located in the Falls Lake State Recreation Area which is one of the largest recreation areas in the state making it perfect for outdoor adventures.
The lake covers 5,000 hectares and is a popular choice for boating, fishing and swimming. Various trails on the south side of the lake are great for hiking and mountain biking.
6. William B. Umstead State Park: Raleigh's nature preserve
This park contains three lakes that you can visit with Big Lake being the largest. You can hire a kayak or canoe and paddle around the lake. Fishing is also available at all three lakes, though swimming isn't allowed in any of them.
If you're interested in camping here, there are campgrounds close to all three lakes. There are also cabins alongside Sycamore Lake that you can make use of.
7. Shelley Lake: Scenic trails and Sertoma Arts
This lake is in the north of Raleigh and covers most of Shelley Lake Park. This is a quiet option that doesn't have boat rentals or launches. It's better suited if you're looking for somewhere to spend a relaxing afternoon.
There's a scenic trail that surrounds the lake, two playgrounds, and basketball courts. You'll also find the Sertoma Arts Center here. The park is open from dawn to dusk every day throughout the year.
8. Jordan Lake: Ideal for water sports
Jordan Lake is definitely on the larger side covering an area of 5,600 hectares. It's just 30 minutes from the city center so you can get here quite easily.
It's within the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area and is ideal for water sports. It has seven swimming beaches and several board ramps.
You can hire kayaks, paddle boards and even pontoon boats. There are also 22 kilometers of hiking trails to explore if you don't want to risk getting wet.
9. Lake Crabtree: Fun and games on and off the water
West of Raleigh is Lake Crabtree Park, and the lake itself is another one that was designed for flood control. It's 210 hectares and popular for various activities such as boating and fishing. It's also known to have an abundance of wildlife.
Outside of water-based activities, Lake Crabtree Country Park is perfect for things like hiking, mountain biking and picnicking. There are even some more uncommon facilities such as sand volleyball courts, playgrounds and a horseshoe pit.
10. Bond Lake: Enjoy on bike or boat
Bond Lake is another man-made lake that's a little west of Raleigh. It's located in Bond Park; one of the largest municipal parks in Wake County.
A three-kilometer trail surrounds the lake and links to greenway trails heading in essentially every direction. There's a boathouse at the northern point of the lake that offers canoe, kayak, row boat and sailboat rentals.
It's best to visit between April and October. On top of the improved weather conditions, there's also live music and local eats on one Friday each month. Unless the weather is particularly good, the boathouse is usually closed between November and March, but the rest of the park is still open.
