Our first apartment in Raleigh was right on Lake Johnson Park in an apartment complex, and so for us this place holds special memories. We spent so many times walking around the lake that I feel like I know every turn in the path, every tree, every crack in the pavement and every rooted stump in the ground.
It quickly became our favorite lake and nature spot in Raleigh. And here’s why.
About Lake Johnson Park
Lake Johnson Park comprises of more than 300 acres of land surrounding the 150-acre lake. The park is part of the Raleigh Greenway system and is well known for its hiking trails, which includes 1.5 miles of unpaved trails as well as 2.8 miles of paved trails and a nature preserve.
The most well known is the three-mile paved greenway loop around the lake. Biking is allowed, but only on the greenway trails. There’s also a 700-foot-long boardwalk across the lake, a boat house, small beach area, and picnic shelters with picnic tables.
Why We Love Lake Johnson Park
Of course, the number one thing we love about Lake Johnson Park is the nature. In the fall, the leaf colors are beautiful and reflect in the water. It’s our favorite time to come here, but it’s an all-year-round destination and is open every day.
If you’re looking to escape the city, Lake Johnson Park is one of the best Raleigh parks to do that, as even though it’s 15 minutes from downtown, it’s very quiet and you rarely hear traffic noises (the occasional plane from RDU, but not often enough to disturb the peace).
It’s a thriving place, and a top spot for walking, jogging, biking, kayaking, non-motorized boating, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, or just relaxing with a picnic.
For me, it’s one of the best free things to do in Raleigh (or cheap activity if you rent one of the personal paddle crafts.) With all the activities the park offers, and whether you visit solo, as a couple or as a family, it’s a great place to spend an hour or longer.
You can recharge and reconnect to nature or work up a sweat. It’s also a beautiful place to start your day in Raleigh with sunrise!
Lake Johnson Activities
Whether you’re looking for a scenic walk, a space to reel in the variety of fish in the lake, you want to sit and admire lake views, or you want to take out a boat, there is so much to see and do at Lake Johnson. Here are some of the top activities you can do.
Visit the Boat House
At the main entrance (4601 Avent Ferry Rd) there’s a boat house where you will find all the outdoor facility rentals. There’s also a fee for personal boat launches ($15) and rod rental. You can reserve equipment online to save you time and ensure you have secured what you need.
There are restrooms at the Boat House, as well as vending machines to purchase drinks/snacks, plus a nice veranda with rocking chairs overlooking the lake and a rentable conference room. The boat house has special events, public programs, recreational opportunities for the entire family as well as concessions.
Go Fishing
If you like fishing, the lake is great for fishing of largemouth bass, shell cracker, crappie, bream, catfish and carp. It’s free admission to the park, but fishing regulations apply and you need a fishing permit.
Go Bird Watching/Wildlife Viewing
Lake Johnson Park is a perfect destination for avid bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. The 300 acres of serene woodland is the perfect home for Osprey, Bald Eagles and many other wildlife to thrive.
Birding enthusiasts have said to have spotted Canada geese, Cormorants, Red-bellied woodpeckers, Red-tailed hawks, Ruddy ducks, Sparrows and Broad-winged hawks in the park. As well as this, you can also find small turtles living in the lake.
Catch the Sunset
Lake Johnson has some of the best sunset views in Raleigh. Enjoy it with a picnic on the beach, while fishing from the pier, or while paddling out on the water. What a magical way to end the day!
Visit the Swimming Pool
Although you cannot swim in the lake, there is an outdoor swimming pool which opens every summer. The pool also features a spray ground and wading pool, which is perfect for kids who need a bit more entertainment. It’s on our list of best places to swim near Raleigh during the summer.
Kayak, SUP, Canoe on the Lake
We love kayaking and stand up paddle boarding in Raleigh, it’s one of our favorite family activities. Lake Johnson is the perfect lake to launch your stand up paddleboards – the water is calm and wind has never been an issue.
If you don’t have your own personal paddle craft, you can rent through a third-party vendor Wake Rack. You used to be able to reserve jonboats and paddleboats from the boathouse, but now you can only rent from the third-party which is more expensive and limited.
You can rent:
- Single and tandem kayaks ($24 for 2 hours)
- Stand up paddle boards ($30 for 2 hours)
Rentals are picked up from lockers in Raleigh and are reasonably priced, making for a great cheap activity all the family can enjoy. Visit Wake Rack’s website for more rental details.
In the summer, they have summer boating programs where you can learn to kayak, canoe, or sail sunfish sailboats. You can learn about summer programs here. We find the staff friendly and accommodating and mostly attentive.
Hot Tip: Call ahead (919-996-3141) to make sure rentals are open, as even during hours of operation (sunrise to sunset) On their website it says “Boat rentals may be stopped or postponed at any point during the day for weather, programs, or safety reasons”.
VIDEO: Watch Us On Our SUPs on Lake Johnson
Press play below to watch the short video of us exploring Lake Johnson. And then Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Raleigh videos.
Lake Johnson Trails
The number one thing to do in Lake Johnson Park is to hit the kid-friendly hiking trails. Lake Johnson is divided by Avent Ferry Road, which creates two separate walking trails. Below are our favorite hiking trails in Lake Johnson Park!
East Loop Trail (3 miles paved)
The east side of the lake is the main heavily trafficked trail and where the boathouse and main car park is located. It’s completely paved for the entire 3 miles and has helpful signs and mile markers so you have a good idea of where you are at all times.
This trail is great for a stroll, a casual hike, or a bike ride. It’s mostly wooded with various overlooks of the lake along the path. If you head clockwise from the boat house, the first half of the trail is flat and easy!
Then after you pass the dam section (which offers a nice view across the lake) and cross the small bridge the second half of the loop becomes more challenging with some hills, two of which require some effort!
If you want to do the harder hilly section first, then head anti-clockwise from the boat house and start by going across the 700-foot-long boardwalk across the lake.
There are plenty of benches along the trail to rest, and it will take you about 1 hour to leisurely stroll the full loop. You will see all types of people on this trail, and plenty of people walking dogs.
Some important things to note are:
- All dogs must be under control and on a 6-foot leash.
- Pet owners must clean up after their pets.
- Biking is allowed only on the paved greenway and the wood-chip trail leading to the boardwalk at the headwaters of the lake
Hot Tip: If you don’t like hills, or have young kids and are pushing a stroller, or you are just looking for a stroll, head in the clockwise direction from the boat house to the dam section, then turn around and walk back.
Click play to see the beauty of the Lake Johnson paved trail in the Fall.
West Loop (2 miles unpaved)
Across the road from the boat house you’ll see another trailhead. This trail is unpaved and a more natural walk in the woods.
The initial section is easy and flat, but then becomes a little more difficult than the eastern side of the lake and more like a hike, therefore isn’t nearly as busy as the paved one.
You’re also allowed to mountain bike on this trail, but it’s wide enough that you don’t have to worry about cyclists running you down. And it’s beautiful.
Walnut Creek Trail (15 mile paved trail)
The Walnut Creek Trail technically isn’t in Lake Johnson Park, but it starts from the park and ends at the Neuse River Trail, 15 miles away. You can walk or bike this trail, which is entirely paved, and passes through both natural and urban landscapes.
Interpretive Poetry Trail (1 mile natural surface)
Another one of the natural surface trails in the park is the Interpretive Poetry Trail, which is on the west side of the park. The trail is just 1 mile long through a heavily wooded section of the park, where at intervals you will find signposts with the works of 10 local poets.
Every poem has a unique story to tell, each celebrating the natural features of the City of Oaks. You can learn about the poets involved here.
FAQs About Visiting Lake Johnson Park
Here is what people usually ask us about visiting Lake Johnson Park:
How long is the walk around Lake Johnson?
If you want to walk around the whole lake, it’s 7.2-km and will take roughly 1.5 hours.
Does Lake Johnson have bathrooms?
Yes, there are restrooms at the Waterfront Center.
Is Lake Johnson a man made lake?
Yes, it was built in 1952 along with the surrounding park.
How to Get to Lake Johnson Park
Lake Johnson Park is a scenic urban lake close to downtown Raleigh, NC State campus, and Cary. Being located near NC State University (and just a 10-minute drive from downtown) makes it a popular lake for students to get active, and for locals living in Raleigh.
To get there by car, you will find access off I-40 / I-440 (the belt line). Take exit 295 (Gorman Street), then, simply follow Avent Ferry Road which takes you straight into the park. From downtown Raleigh, you can also take Western Boulevard onto Avent Ferry Road. From NC State campus, simply take Avent Ferry Road.
You will find parking areas on the South side of Avent Ferry Road, across the lake, as well as on the East side of the lake by Thea Lane.
Parking at Lake Johnson Park
They have 3 different parking lots available, the main lot being at the boat house:
- Main Parking Lot: 4601 Avent Ferry Rd
- South Parking Lot: 5041 Avent Ferry Rd
- Lake Dam Parking Lot: 1320 Lake Dam Rd
During the weekdays you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a spot at the main lot, except for after work hours in the warmer months. And weekends especially get busy all day in good weather.
Keep in mind the main parking lot spaces are a little tight. Our Ford F250 truck fits width wise but hangs out into the drive. The other two lots are not as tight.
If you park at the South lot you have a mostly downhill 10-minute walk to the boat house via the 700-foot-long boardwalk. And if you park at the Lake Dam lot, you have a 20-minute walk to the boat house, which is flat and a lovely stroll hugging the lake.
Warning: If you park on the road shoulder near the South Lot, police are known to book you.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Lake Johnson
After a long day at work, we would often visit Lake Johnson Park to walk around the lake, or just sit on the small beach area by the boat house and relax, or get some gentle exercise on the weekends!
Lake Johnson is peaceful and calming, with plenty of shade and sunny spots, and it’s also a great place for getting out on the water (one of the few lakes in Raleigh where you can do that), which we love to do with our stand up paddle boards.
If you crave getting back to the water or among the woods, or are looking for relaxation or nature based exercise, this is the place to go. We love Lake Johnson Park. It’s a great getaway from urban life.
- Address: 4601 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh
- Website
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