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.

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.

This is the place to go in Garner for your July 4th fireworks! You can rent a paddle boat during…read morethe day, walk the perimeter, have a picnic or play flag football on the gigantic fields. This park had bathroom facilities, dog parks and a playground. Police frequently patrol and keep the park safe for families. Don't miss the US War memorials! Such history at your finger tips.

Beautiful, spacious park in Garner! I visited Lake Benson Park mainly because I heard about the dog…read morepark. I stopped by on a Thursday night and the park was packed. Lots of kids on the playgrounds, people walking on the paths, and dogs in the dog park. I enjoy seeing parks full of people enjoying the outdoors. Pros: -Large dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs -Dog park is free for anyone to use (no pass required) -Clean park -Ample parking in lots or along the road -Beautiful, respectful veterans' memorial -Labelled areas and trails -Ample areas to sit -Multiple playgrounds and shelters Cons: -Dog park is open to anyone so the dogs may not be fixed, vaccinated, or well-trained -Most of the driving paths are not paved. This kicks up a lot of dust -Lots of bird poop on signs and benches. It's an outdoor park so this is understandable. Bring a towel if you plan to use the benches

Falls Dam and the greenway trails around it are a great and quick escape to nature. In minutes…read moreyou'll be away from the traffic and the stress of your particular day. I hope plans to turn this into a white water park do not come about. Let nature be nature. We need it more than it needs us.

I feel so lucky to live close to the dam. I am an hobbyist photographer and the wildlife here is…read moreamazing. I have watched a Osprey dive in and catch a fish. I have seen numerous Blue Heron and have gotten pictures of them catching fish. Eastern Blue Birds, vultures, and too many other birds to count. The Neuse River Greenway Trail starts here and you can walk up and down the trail from here. There is ample parking and you will see numerous people there ready to jog, hike or bike from the parking lot. You can park at the dam during the hours it is open and hike across the dam. The place is clean and there are bathrooms and a visitors center where members of the Army Corp of Engineers will happily answer any questions that you may have. Great place and it is all free.

Fantastic place for family fun, athletics, or just get togethers for groups…read more Suggest folks to come by and take time to sit out at the lake and enjoy the scenery.

Great recreational spot! Playgrounds, trails, picnic areas and a big old lake to ride around in…read more We brought our paddle boards and cruised around the afternoon. It was free, parking is limited near the boat launch area, but other options aren't too far away.

We did a family canoeing trip for an hour at Cape Fear River Adventures and it was nice. The…read morescenery was nothing exciting and it was full sun the whole time, but our daughter enjoyed the experience. I think tubing would be a little more exciting. Everything was very organized and well run. The grounds are nice too; there's some chairs to sit, relax, and watch the river while the kids play.

I enjoyed learning about the Cape Fear River for the Outfitter Assistances at the Lillington…read morelocation. I also saw River otters, Beavers wrestling on a bank while I kayaked between Boone Trail Canoe and Kayak Access Point to Deep Rover park. I was lucky and excited . I had a good time learning about the ecosystem, geography and cultural history of that area.

No doubt the best park in the Raleigh area with lots of things to do for the rug rats. Carousel,…read moreboats, playgrounds, Choo Choo train, and wonderful picnic pavilions. Food stand has a few things which are actually pretty good plus ice cream and soft drinks, which are refreshing in the summer months. New bocce courts are nice addition and the tennis courts are never busy. Check out their live music schedule, too!

Every year around Christmas season, Pullen Park sets up the park in Winter Wonderland mode. This…read moreyear was fantastic and it's easy to see why tickets sell out so fast. There is a train ride through the park with all sorts of lights and Christmas displays. There are numerous free activities and crafts for kids of all ages. There is even a gorgeous carousel ride that seats many. It doesn't hurt that it is inside so you can warm up from the chilly outside. There is even remote parking with comfy buses that will take you to and from the parking lot and the park. It is a great experience and our grandkids ( and grandparents) have such a great time.

Enjoyed a walk around the lake after breakfast. Beautiful walking trail and a nice dock area with…read morerocking chairs overlooking the lake. The trail is unpaved with lots of trees, perfect for walking and running.

TLDR: Peaceful lake in Holly Springs. Check out the retreat center (they have animals!). Relax in a…read morerocking chair on the deck and listen to the flowing water and birds. Note that you cannot fish off the deck. Why have I not visited this lake before?? I have passed by it several times and decided to stop and enjoy my breakfast here on a gloomy morning. The lake has benches on the grass near the shore, ample parking, trash cans, lost and found, restrooms, water fountains, dog waste stations, posted rules, weight scale, and marked trails. The retreat center has a large, clean deck with picnic tables and umbrellas. The deck provides a beautiful view of the lake and plenty of bird sounds (mainly from the geese). Inside they have resources and reptiles. Excellent area in Holly Springs to learn, exercise, fish, and appreciate nature.

My go-to trail! Lots of parking spaces always available. There are plenty of benches spread out…read morealong the lake loop and picnic tables to spend time at. There are some fields as well that are great for activities. There are plenty other trails attached to the loop as well if you wanted to mix up your scenery. There are also bathrooms available

Ran here again along the Crabtree Creek and i really just love how gorgeous the view is. It is a…read more1.5 - 2 mile loop around the lake with a brutal (but short hill). Definitely recommend running this or bringing your bike. We also saw a bunch of families with their strollers, so this is a perfect spot to bring your coffee for a morning walk.

We stopped in after grabbing ice cream and it was so cool. We enjoyed art the artifacts and…read moredifferent animals inside the building. Teaches a lot about the history of the mill. We took a short walk down there and it was so much easier then I thought. Well worth it!!!

We went in February - so this review is from the "winter" perspective in that we didn't see any…read morewildlife except a handful of birds. We spent close to 45 minutes in the visitor center reading the history of the mill, the industry, and the area. Gave really good context. After that, we walked the trail around the lake (took 25-30 minutes); it was flat and easy. There are a couple of benches. Several trees are marked with numbers; there's a guide for that in the visitors center. Finally, we got to the mill. You can see the restored building, the millstone, various gears, and good interpretive information. Quite peaceful at that time of year.