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The Peninsula Trail will lead visitors along the lake shore through a variety of forest habitats.


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Map Key

4.8

Miles

7.8

KM

100%

Runnable

261' 79 m

High

221' 67 m

Low

125' 38 m

Up

125' 38 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

6%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · Views

Park is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Overview

This rarely crowded trail system offers great views of Harris Lake. Visitors will enjoy the flat pathway leading around the lake, and the bustle of the Raleigh area will fade away.

Need to Know

Harris Lake County Park also contains picnic areas, an excellent disc golf course, a kayak boat launch, a floating dock for fishing and a great mountain biking trail!

Additional park info can be found at wakegov.com/parks/harrislak…

Runner Notes

Roots are particularly dangerous for ankles on this trail.

Description

The Peninsula Trail leads visitors along the lake shore through a variety of forest habitats, including a longleaf pine stand and mixed oak/hickory hardwoods. If you're quiet, you may catch a glimpse of a deer, turkey or a variety of waterfowl along the way.

This featured run follows the Peninsula Trail but runners can add on other trails in the area for a longer run.

Along the way there are self-guided cell phone tours that can be accessed by your cell phone or smart phone. These trails are identified on the park brochure and on site by a sign at each trailhead. Signs will have either the tour number or QR code attached, linking you directly to the tour's mobile version. Once you reach the trailhead you can follow the instructions below:

Call the Harris Lake County Park cell phone tour number at 919-424-0042 and then press the corresponding number at each trail stop.
Once you are on the tour, you can access other commands by pressing the following keys:
Press 1 to rewind.
Press 2 to pause/play.
Press 3 to fast forward.
Press # to stop.
Press *0 to leave feedback on that audio tour.

Flora & Fauna

Harris Lake County Park has a 60 acre Longleaf Pine Management Area. Every year the park sponsors a Longleaf Festival in the late spring. Come celebrate the history and importance of the longleaf pine and its ecosystem! For more info, click here and for an updated list of exhibitors that will be at the event.

History & Background

In 1985, Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space signed a lease with Progress Energy for a 680-acre regional park facility on Harris Lake. The first phase of park construction began in 1997. This phase was built with the 1993 Bond Referendum money. The park opened to the public in May 1999.

Contacts

Shared By:

Greg Epplin

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 16 votes

#2694

Overall
  4.1 from 16 votes
5 Star
31%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#106

in North Carolina

#2,694

Overall
12 Views Last Month
2,976 Since Mar 19, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

33%
27%
40%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Trail view.
Dec 25, 2021 near Holly S…, NC
Trailhead.
Dec 25, 2021 near Holly S…, NC
Shearon Harris
Dec 25, 2021 near Holly S…, NC
The trail passes through a controlled burn area
Mar 19, 2016 near Holly S…, NC
View of the Harris plant cooling tower.
Mar 27, 2016 near Holly S…, NC
A view of the Harris lake plant cooling tower and containment building
Mar 19, 2016 near Holly S…, NC

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Check-Ins

Aug 7, 2020
Nathan Glines
I did two loops on this trail today and absolutely loved it! Nice diverse areas but easy to navigate and find.
Jan 14, 2017
Debbie Basolt Bovee
4.8mi
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