AUGUST PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Programs at Harris Lake County Park

Kids Discover Nature:

All the Water in the World

Thursday, Aug. 1; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

For ages 2-5 with accompanying adult

Register Here

*Program is full. Please join the wait list.

Where does water come from and where does it go? How is it used and how does it flow? Join us to find out as we read All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon and Katherine Tillotson. Afterwards, we’ll make a craft and play some water games! Prepare to get wet!

Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

Nature Lab: Breakfast with the Birds

Tuesday, Aug. 13; 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

For ages 7 - 12; Fee: $12/child

Register Here

We’re mixing it up with an earlier program! Your child can enjoy a light breakfast (granola bars and fruit) and explore the park when the birds are most active. Learn about the adaptations that different kinds of birds have, compare nests from our collection, see bird taxidermy mounts up close, take a hike to different habitats in the park while looking and listening for birds along the way, and have fun learning all kinds of cool things about our feathered friends! This is a drop-off program for ages

7-12. Bring binoculars if you have them, and a water bottle.

Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

Citizen Science Thursday: Harris Lake ecoEXPLORERS

Thursday, Aug. 15; 2 - 3:30 p.m.

For ages 10 and up

Register Here

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist and improving your nature identification skills with park staff? We’ve got the opportunity for you! Harris Lake County Park is an ecoEXPLORE HotSpot which means it’s a place where you can make observations of plants and animals and share them with scientists! 

Our focus for today’s program will be on insects! Come learn about the many insect species you can find in the park and help us search for bees, butterflies, beetles, and more! If you are new to ecoEXPLORE, please create a profile at https://www.ecoexplore.net/signup prior to the program.

Meet at the Cypress Shelter and bring your device for taking photos and capturing data. For ages 10 and up, must be registered with an adult. Space is limited! 

Evening Campfire and Night Hike

Friday, Aug. 23; 8 - 9:30 p.m.

For all ages

Register Here

*Program is full. Please join the wait list.

Bring the kids out for some late summer fun before school begins! Roast marshmallows over the fire and go on a short night hike to see who comes out when the sun goes down! Marshmallows and roasting sticks will be provided. Please bring a camp chair or blanket and a full water bottle.

Meet at the Cypress Shelter. 

Programs at the

American Tobacco Trail

Valuable Vultures

Friday, Aug. 9; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

For all ages

Register Here

Ever wonder what those big black birds soaring up in the sky are up to? Get to know our local vultures as we look high in the sky for these fascinating birds and learn about the important ecological role they play with a fun game.

Meet at the lower picnic table at the New Hill parking area (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.) 

Cunning Coyotes

Sunday, Aug. 18; 2 - 3 p.m.

For all ages

Register Here

Coyotes are one of the most adaptable animals around and can be found in every county in North Carolina. For as successful as they are, they are also elusive and highly misunderstood. Meet a coyote up close with our educational mount and make a coyote track to take home.

Meet at the White Oak parking area at the picnic tables(1305 White Oak Church Rd.) 

PARK CLOSURE ALERT!

Harris will be closed until 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 4

in order to host the Humans of Steel

Multisport Festival.

PARK HOURS CHANGE

On Monday, August 12, our park hours will change as follows:

Harris Lake County Park will close at 8:30 p.m.

The New Hill parking area on the American Tobacco Trail (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.) will lock at 8 p.m. The restrooms at New Hill and White Oak will automatically lock at 7:45 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT HARRIS LAKE COUNTY PARK

Sprocket Fuel XC Mountain Bike Race

Saturday, Aug. 10

Rain date: Sat., Aug. 24

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Hog Run Mountain Bike Trails will be closed to the public between 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. in order to host this race. Trails will reopen after the race is complete. For more information, visit:

https://roadlessraces.com/races/sprocket-fuel-mountain-bike-race/

PDGA Tim Selinske US Masters Championship

Sept. 15 - 22

We are thrilled to be hosting this national tournament at the Buckhorn Disc Golf Course!

The course and associated gravel parking lot will be closed to the public from Sept. 15-22, and expect limited parking throughout the park.

IT'S XC TIME AGAIN!

Thales Academy and Southern Wake Academy will be holding cross country practices and meets on the following days in August: 5, 15, and 27.

There will be limited parking between the hours of 2 - 6 p.m. in our Day Use area. Please also be aware of runners along sections of the main park road and the Peninsula Hiking Trail.

WE'RE HIRING!

Looking for a part-time job in parks? You've come to the right place!

Part-time positions are available in maintenance operations at Harris Lake County Park and the Wake County section of the American Tobacco Trail! Enjoy flexible hours, learn a variety of park tasks, and be part of a great team!

Check our website for more information and to apply: https://www.wake.gov/.../about.../employment-opportunities

Nature Nook: Summer Bloomers!