Lake Crabtree County Park — Attraction in Morrisville

This review is specifically for the Lake Crabtree Trail, a 6 mile loop around the lake. We started at the Old Reedy Creek Trailhead Parking and circled the lake clockwise. From the parking lot, the trail follows the shores of the lake (here it is congruent with the Black Creek Greenway) and then over the boardwark where the aforementioned greenway diverges.

It follows a nicely paved and quiet (though exposed to the hot sun in this warm day) greenway path to Evans Rd. From here the trail follows the also sunny sidewalk along Evans Rd., over Crabtree Creek, and then takes a right turn into the woods behind some commercial buildings. We heard trucks and traffic here, and also RDU airport traffic.

The trail continued between these buildings and the lake for awhile, alternating between the woods and along the grassy right of way of a drainage/sewage line, which was revealed by the frequent manholes. Eventually we went through another section of woods and then emerged alongside busy Aviation Parkway, at which point the trail consisted of a narrow foot track sandwiched between the guardrail and an embankment of rip rap stones. This section was not fun at all and it was impossible to carry on a conversation as the path was too narrow to walk side by side and the traffic noise was too loud to hear someone in front.

After what seemed like an eternity but was probably less than a mile the trail finally veered back into the woods and this was a nice quiet and pretty section leading to the lawns and volleyball courts and boat docks and ramps of the park per se.

The final stretch of the trail zig zigged through the woods like a jumbled rope in a bag, and worse, was shared with mountain bikers who would suddenly come careening around a corner just in front of us hikers, a startling and unsettling experience. Also, part of this section runs right alongside I-40, which made the Aviation Parkway section seem quiet by comparison.

Finally we arrived back at the Old Reedy Creek Trailhead parking.

Between the trail following Evans Dr and Aviation Parkway, airport noise and then being shared with mountain bikers and a section directly adjacent to noisy I-40, I can't recommend this hike. Especially with such wonderful trails nearby at Umstead Park or even the Black...

Beautiful park located right in the heart of the triangle area. The park is surrounded by buildings and interstate but it doesn't seem to bother most visitors. Perfect place for group outings to play volleyball, picnic, hike, or do some mountain biking. Only reason for 3 stars is the marina staff which I can't emphasize enough thier lack of management and professionalism (more below).

Great place to do some light off-road mountain biking. Lots of trials and routes that are fun for most beginner to intermediate skill levels.

The marina staff is a pure embarrassment on the tax payers. Selection of marina rental options is good however availability and customer service is lacking. This is the only place in the triangle area to rent sailboats and they're rarely, if at all available. Typically they have two sailboats for rent and six sitting on the beach. When you ask one of the seven staff members, who are all sitting around goofing off, they give you a negative attitude back when you inquire about renting any of their sailboats, working or not. If this were an isolated occasion, I would brush it off, but this has happened to myself and other friends on numerous occasions throughout the summer. As a former marina manager from the coast, it's obviously the staff is sabotaging the water recreation program for thier own agenda. I've had other friends share similar experiences as well about the marina staff with only negative remarks. They have the opportunity to promote one of the greenest methods of recreation in a progressive area and they choose to sit around and be lazy. Those employees are wasting...

Ive done the research and this is horrible. Looking at a topographic map RDU airport is elevated higher than this lake. Additionally, the Brier Creek Reservoir is where the AIRPORT drains (Fuel, Leaks, Oils, etc) is also at a higher elevation than Lake Crabtree and streams from the reservoir drain directly into Lake Crabtree. But not only does Airport Runoff drain to Lake Crabtree but Streams from all surrounding industry which is plentiful and dangerous also drains straight to Lake Crabtree. I always wondered what was floating in this lake. Ive seen stuff from the highway runoff, to what looks like globs of a plastic like substance that was the size of melons and apples and now knowing that this lake is essentially an extension of Airport runoff!! I wouldnt go back. I paddleboarded and regret it. Who knows whats all in this lake.

Enjoy your watersports here at your own risk in my opinion. This hasnt been verified by any credible source but thats not to say that I dont understand riverflows, gravity, and the fact that all vehicles have some sort of leakage when used in extensive service.

I love NC dont get me wrong. Just feel this should be noted when people...