Lake Crabtree County Park

Lake Crabtree is a Wake County park between Morrisville and Cary just off of I-40 at Aviation Parkway.  The lake itself is a 520-acre flood-control lake in the Triangle area near RDU airport at the confluence of Brier Creek and Crabtree Creek.  In addition to the lake trail that runs around the lake, the park has several miles of mountain biking trails and also offers boating, including canoe, kayak, and sailboat rental, as well as a boat launch for personal boats.

Contact Information:

1400 Aviation Parkway
Morrisville, NC 27560

Phone: (919) 460-3390
Fax: (919) 460-3389

Directions:

Lake Crabtree is located just off I-40 on Aviation Parkway at exit 285.  On Aviation Parkway, go south to the first light after the interstate and turn left to enter the park.

Map:

Trails:

286 Trails:

The 286 Property is leased by Wake County and managed as a satellite of Lake Crabtree.  There are about 7 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails in the area.  It is located on Old Reedy Creek Road north of I-40.

Lake Trail:

Lake Trail makes a 6-mile loop around the lake.  The trail runs concurrently with Crabtree Creek Greenway and Black Creek Greenway, part of the Cary Greenway on the south and east sides of the lake.  The Crabtree Creek section also connects to the Morrisville Greenway.  The section along Black Creek Greenway is also part of the East Coast Greenway and continues to William B. Umstead State Park.

Multi-Use Trails:

There are more than 9 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and mountain biking with a variety of loops for various skill levels.  The trails connects to a mountain bike skills area, pump track and jump lines.

Old Beech Nature Trail:

A short interpretive loop, starting from the open play area parking lot.

Wildlife:

Atamasco lilies (Zephyranthes atamasca) are a beautiful species of rain lily.

Bearded beggarticks (Bidens aristosa)

Swamp rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a native species of hibiscus that grows around the lake and blooms in mid summer.

Hairystem spiderwort (Tradescantia hirsuticaulis )

Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Eastern rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)

Box turtle (Terrapene carolina) along the trail.

Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

Black vultures (Coragyps atratus) can be found around the lake.

External Links:

Wake County Parks website: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/parks-recreation-open-space/all-parks-trails/lake-crabtree-county-park