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Holiday Hours
Harris Lake County Park and the New Hill parking area (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.) on the American Tobacco Trail are CLOSED on January 1,
New Year's Day.
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Park Hours Change
Beginning on Monday, January 11:
Harris Lake County Park will close at 6 p.m.
The New Hill parking area (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.) on the American Tobacco Trail will close at 5:30 p.m. The restrooms at New Hill and White Oak will automatically lock at 5:15 p.m.
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Upcoming Events
UGTBGrindin' Trail Run
Please be aware there will be runners utllizing the Peninsula Trail from 8 a.m. - noon on Saturday, January 23.
Disc Golf Winter Quarterly
In order to host this tournament, the Buckhorn Disc Golf Course will be closed to the public on Sunday, January 31.
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Restrooms at Harris Lake County Park Closed For Repairs
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Unfortunately, the restrooms will be closed until further notice while extensive repairs are made. Please utilize the temporary ADA accessible facilities located near the Longleaf and Cypress Shelters during this time. We apologize for this inconvenience!
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Weekly Playground Cleaning Update
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With the onset of freezing morning temperatures, we have adjusted the timing of our weekly playground cleaning to Tuesday afternoons from 1 - 2 p.m. (weather permitting). Please plan to avoid the playground during this time while staff perform routine disinfection of the equipment associated with COVID-19.
Thank you!
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Self-Guided Activities: Orienteering and Mobile Tours
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Looking for something fun to do while visiting the park?
Put your navigational skills to the test on our orienteering course! Using a map and compass, try to quickly navigate your way through wooded areas and fields on our 5 waypoint short course, or for more of a challenge, try our 16 waypoint long course. Each point has a rubbing, so try to collect them all! For more information, including a helpful brochure to get you started and printable course sheets, view our orienteering information here.
We also have three interpretive cell phone tours that you may access from the park or at home. Each tour introduces you to different aspects of nature or history at Harris Lake County Park:
Mobile tours have also been developed for other park sites and you can view them all here.
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Sensational Staff Spotlights
Tony D'Amico, Assistant Park Manager of Maintenance,
will celebrate his
17th anniversary
with Harris Lake County Park and the American Tobacco Trail on January 6! Thank you, Tony, for your many accomplishments and fun-loving nature over the years!
Welcome, Fred Haas!
Park Aide of Maintenance
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Q: How long have you worked for Wake County Parks?
A: Almost four months
Q: What is your favorite part of working at HLCP and the ATT?
A: The variety of tasks during the work day, some autonomy while completing tasks, and fun people to work with.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Silent Running, a late '60s environmental sci fi drama starring Bruce Dern and three small robots (Huey, Louie, and Dewey).
Q: Who or what influenced you to work in this field?
A: I am a professional educator with a background in teaching Environmental Science.
Q: What is your favorite plant or animal at HLCP or the ATT?
A: "Long Needle Pines" because they are rare and have such a unique life cycle.
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We're Looking For Your Feedback!
Have you enjoyed a hike or picnic at the park recently? We want to know what you love about Wake County parks! Please share your thoughts by completing our survey. Thank you for your input! |
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Facebook and Instagram:
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#wakegovparks
#harrislake
#americantobaccotrail
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Recycle your Christmas tree to mulch trails!
Drop off your undecorated tree (NO ornaments, lights, or tinsel) at Harris Lake County Park (and other park locations) from 8 a.m. until sunset, 7 days a week, from December 26 through January 24, 2021.
(Please note that parks are closed on New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, 2021.)
The trees will be chipped to refresh trails at the park. You'll enjoy the wonderful evergreen aroma with every step! Just follow the signs to our designated drop-off location!
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Now Offering Virtual Group Programs!
Until we can gather again, Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space is excited to offer engaging virtual field trip programs for groups! Enjoy educational experiences on cultural and environmental topics from the safety and comfort of your own home. See what's available at all Wake County parks here.
Harris Lake County Park is thrilled to offer our first virtual program -Busy Beavers: Adaptations for Survival! This program is best suited for grades K - 5. (Stay tuned as additional topics are added!)
Our virtual field trips combine video and live sessions led by park educators. Each program lasts about 30 minutes and encourages students to think critically about the natural environment.
There is no fee for virtual field trips. Our virtual programs use Zoom or Google Meet. Each program includes an activity packet offered in both PDF and Google Classroom-ready formats, to digitally extend the program content.
Contact Amelia Williams, Assistant Park Manager of Education, at
919-387-4344 or [email protected] with questions or to schedule your free virtual experience!
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Citizen Science Opportunity: Report Winter Sightings of Monarch Butterflies
Each fall, thousands of monarch butterflies stream across the southern United States on their journey to wintering grounds in central Mexico. In the spring, this eastern population of monarchs returns to the U.S. and Canada to breed.
But not all monarchs migrate to Mexico. Some breed throughout the winter in the southern U.S., and scattered reports show that other monarchs might overwinter here in a non-reproductive state.
Researchers and others studying monarchs are seeking more information to understand why and what it might imply for monarchs, a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act.
For this, they need the public's help! In a collaborative effort, Journey North, Monarchs Across Georgia, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are encouraging people to report monarch sightings from December through March in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Monarch sightings can be submitted from December through March to the Journey North citizen science project. Visit journeynorth.org/monarchs to learn how to report monarch sightings.
Follow these steps to join the effort and become a citizen scientist!
Step 1: Create a free account with Journey North at
Step 2: Learn how to report monarch sightings at
Step 3: Submit monarch observations from December-March at
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(Graphic courtesy of Recycle More NC)
It's important to be a responsible recycler, and Recycle More NC posts helpful tips so we know what's recyclable and what's not. We don't want to damage the machinery or contaminate the recycling.
The only metal items that can be recycled in your curbside bin are food cans (but not the lid, unless attached) and aluminum beverage cans. Other metal items such as hangers and pots and pans should be taken to your local Convenience Center and put in the scrap metal collection bin.
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When you visit Wake County parks and preserves, please comply with guidelines set forth by the state to stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Gathering with no more than 50 people
-Maintaining physical distance of at least six feet from another person
- Wearing a mask or cloth face covering when in public and unable to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Shelter rentals and park use agreements are available.
Our playgrounds are open. Visitors are encouraged to maintain physical distance, wear masks or cloth face coverings, and wash or sanitize their hands often. Capacity limits are posted near each playground.
The following restrictions will remain in place through at least
January 31:
- Park centers are closed.
- Programs and special events are cancelled.
-Special operations such as boat rentals, group camping, and lodge rental are not available.
Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information as we follow a phased reopening plan.
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