Lake Johnson Park is one of Raleigh's best spots when you want a workout that actually comes with a…read moreview. The 3-mile loop gave me the perfect mix of cardio, scenery, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. The trail is mostly paved and very well maintained, but there are also a few off-road paths if you want to switch things up. The lake views are gorgeous throughout the walk, and the heavily wooded sections make it feel peaceful and shaded even on warmer days. I also appreciated that the trail has a few solid uphill stretches. I'd say it's ideal for intermediate walkers, runners, or cyclists looking for a scenic challenge without venturing into hardcore hiking territory. The only downside is the parking situation, which can get pretty tight during busy hours. Still, once you're on the trail, it's absolutely worth it. Raleigh really lucked out with this gem of a park.

Natures finest!…read more Local park with free (but limited) parking. Walking trails. Kayak and paddleboard rentals. Birdwatching. Clean picnic and public bathrooms. Great place to go and enjoy nature.

Drew was awesome! My family had a great time on his boat tour. Will use him again. He took good…read morecare of my family!

From the owner: Drew's Water Rentals: your destination for water thrills…read more Welcome to Drew's Water Rentals, your premier choice for pontoon boat and Sea-Doo jet ski rentals in North Carolina. Get ready to embark on unforgettable water adventures and create lifelong memories. Feel the thrill of jet skiing Experience the adrenaline rush of riding the waves on our state-of-the-art Sea-Doo jet skis. Our knowledgeable team ensures a safe and thrilling adventure for riders of all levels. Leisurely Cruises on Luxurious Pontoons Indulge in a relaxed day on the water with our spacious and luxurious pontoon boats. Cruise along the coastline, soak up the sun, and enjoy the gentle sea breeze. Our commitment to excellence At Drew's Water Rentals, your satisfaction and safety are our top priorities. Our friendly staff is dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring a memorable experience. Dive into unforgettable memories Join us on an extraordinary journey through the North Carolina lakes. Create cherished memories that will keep you longing for the water's embrace. Contact us today to reserve your pontoon boat or Sea-Doo jet ski and embark on a thrilling water adventure

When you set out to kayak the historic Haw River it's hard to suppress speculative thoughts about…read moreyour adventure and wonder how it will all turn out. This was on our minds as my wife and I drove past an "entering Alamance County" road sign on our way to the Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company at Saxapahaw, North Carolina. A leisurely drive along Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Road parallels the Haw and suggests a hint of our forthcoming adventure. A tough bridge built for hard times stands over massive, craggy, dark gray rocks, chiseled into the river bottom by the waters bonding the town of Saxapahaw to the earth and the history of this area. On arrival, we could see paddlers struggling to sandwich their watercraft among the rocks around the Saxapahaw bridge. But we never foresaw when we left here, our memories would bear an indelible imprint of this place as "Aramanche" -- a place where Native Americans saw water flow through blue clay. One reason to rent a Kayak here is to unplug yourself from the present and reconnect with the past. In fact, the owner and his staff will tell you his fondest wish is for customers is to "unplug and reconnect." When you cast your eyes out over the Haw as you paddle a kayak, you'll see tranquil and rapid running waters, deep cuts into riverbanks and tree lines, and evidence of the dominating torrential waters that have run for millennia along this 110-mile river down to the Cape Fear basin near the Atlantic coast. The geological history of this place is violent. But there's more. There's tons of history and culture to absorb. Generations of native Americans and later, European colonists, are bound up in the history of this river. Native Americans ran The Great Trading Path that ran from Chester County, PA, along the Shenandoah Mountains roughly to where I-81 and route 220 meet near Danville, Virginia, today. From there, settlers found their way into North Carolina along the Haw. Why Go? If you're interested in American history, you'll visit to have fun and to bask vicariously in the river that was once part of the Underground Railroad. Along this river, Quakers would shepherd slaves from house-to-house, across the Ohio River, and into the free territories in the west. If you're a history buffwith an archaeological bent, you'll visit the Haw to find that blue-gray clay the Siouan Indians used as body paint. It was found in Saxapahaw, and the Indians called this clay "Aramanche", meaning, a place where "water flows through blue clay" in Eastern Siouan. If you're interested in seismology, you'll be curious about the natural fault line running from this area down to Charleston, S.C., that triggered the Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886. You can see this line on the surface under a little bridge in the nearby village of Glencoe, N.C., along Highway 62. If you enjoy riding the rapids as a Kayaker, you'll need to sign up for a class-III white-water adventure. The fault line that runs from Glencoe down toward the Cape Fear river basin features sharp drop-offs triggering the rapid waters adrenaline junkies crave. A guided tour along the Haw lasts about 3-hours. Go, unplug, reconnect with American history and, enjoy!

This place is great! Recently came here with some friends for the day and had a blast…read more So it's a little confusing on their website, but you can indeed just rent kayaks, paddle boards or canoes. It made it seem like the only way to go on the river was through signing up for a class, but that's not the case. For $30 you can rent a boat for half the day and they'll drive you upstream a bit to the dock. From there you can go upstream on your own and enjoy some paddling + swimming. We had a great time! There ARE a bunch of fun day trips (and a moonlight night trip!), plus some other routes so I'm definitely going to sign up for one of those. But if you just want to rent for a few hours, that's cool too! Pro tip: Come before 11 a.m. It's a little cooler, and they won't be as crowded.

It's a nice park in the area! You'll get to expose yourself to sunlight and nature! Great place to…read moredo picnic or outdooring like fishing and playing toys on the lake! Cool place

What a scenic experience! The wind and good weather blew me here and it was just the space I needed…read moreto clear my head.

The 2020 season has come to an end, but they will be opening back up spring 2021…read more This is a good place to get a nice and relaxing kayak adventure. It goes along the Little River for about 3 miles and will take about an hour and a half to complete. The single kayak is about $30 or a tandem for about $50 for adults. A youth kayak is about $15 or you can get a canoe for around $65 that can hold a family of 4. Once booked, there is a 48 hour policy for a full refund. If weather is an issue, then you'll get a voucher to be used for a later date. The route itself is very calm and there are not any rapids or fast moving areas. You'll pass a freeway bridge signaling that the end of the trip is coming up. You'll take your board up and a van will come and pick you up and will take you back. Overall, pretty simple!

Great day for a river run! Excellent location to put in a kayak with extremely adequate parking…read morearea. At first glance you might expect to hear some road noise but the entire 3 mile run is quiet and isolated. The river is not too deep and perfect for any size kayak. There are a couple areas that are a little adventurous that require some traversing but it's a lot of fun with friends. I would definitely recommend this spot to anyone out for a casual paddle or a good workout. Thanks for a great time, we will be back!