Find out everything happening in the park for the month! Subscribe to get monthly newsletters delivered straight to your email. Find out about programs, specific closing times and current park projects.

Check out our April 2024 programs here!

You can also visit our public programming page for more information and for program registration.

Park Rules

1. Speed limit is 20 mph.
2. Clean up after your pets.
3. Keep pets on a 6-foot leash.
4. Park only in designated areas. No parking on roadsides or outside park gates.
    

The following are prohibited:

• Open fires
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tobacco and vapor products
• Hunting and fishing
• Feeding of wildlife
• Swimming, wading and boating
• Collection or release of any natural material or living organism unless otherwise designated by Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space staff
• Amplified music
• Littering
• Firearms
  • This does not prohibit concealed handgun permit holders from legally carrying a concealed handgun in accordance with N.C.G.S. 14-415.11.
• Overnight parking and camping
• ATVs and other motorized vehicles
   

Are you a professional or amateur photographer interested in taking photos at Crowder County Park? To ensure that all park visitors have an enjoyable experience, registration is required for photo shoots.

Please follow all Crowder Park Photography Rules.

Questions? Check out our photography FAQs.

Wake County Parks, Recreation & Open Space has a "No Collection" policy that does not allow visitors to take things (natural or manmade) from the parks. Our parks contain both historically significant structures and documented cemeteries that should not be disturbed.

Metal detectors and magnet fishing may be used to look for an item you have specifically lost, but not to "treasure hunt" in general. The Park Manager must be notified and grant permission in advance of using a metal detector or magnet fishing to search for a personal lost item.

The use of Unmanned Aircraft, Remote Control Vehicles and Model Rockets is allowed subject to the following regulations:

1. Users must comply with all state and federal regulations governing their use.
2. FAA regulations restrict drone use within five miles of an airport. The Wake County portion of the American Tobacco Trail, Crowder District Park, Historic Oak View County Park, Historic Yates Mill County Park, Lake Crabtree County Park, and Robertson Millpond Preserve are all within five miles of an airport, so Unmanned Aircraft use is prohibited unless the user has notified the airport operator and the air traffic control tower (if one is present). The FAA’s B4UFLY app can provide assistance in determining which airports require notification at which park locations.
3. All Model Rocket launches must be approved in advance by the Park Manager.
4. Use must be for hobby or recreational purposes – commercial use is prohibited without prior approval of Park Manager.
5. Use for research, natural resource monitoring, or mapping purposes must be approved in advance by the PROS Director or designee.
6. Use cannot interfere with other park users’ reasonable enjoyment of the park or expectation of privacy. Users cannot conduct surveillance.
7. Users cannot disturb or degrade the park’s natural resources, including wildlife nesting and breeding.
8. Users must keep Unmanned Aircraft and Remote Control Vehicles in sight at all times.
9. Users must be proficient in the safe operation of their equipment.
10. Users cannot fly over or disturb park programs, events being held at the park, large gathering of people, or moving vehicles.
11. Users cannot operate Unmanned Aircraft or Remote Control Vehicles within 50 feet of any other park building or structure that could be occupied.
12. Organized events or groups utilizing Unmanned Aircraft or Remote Control Vehicles must receive written permission from the PROS Director or designee.
13. Users cannot hold Wake County liable for any damages to or by their equipment while at Wake County park locations.
14. Retrieval of lost or broken Unmanned Aircraft, Remote Control Vehicles, or Model Rockets is the sole responsibility of the owner. Owner must receive approval from park staff before entering any part of the park not generally available to park visitors, or before using any extraordinary methods or equipment, for retrieval.
15. Some parks may establish designated operational zones and/or designated exclusion zones for the use Unmanned Aircraft and/or Remote Control Vehicles. Users are responsible for determining if any such zones are in place.
16. Any user of an Unmanned Aircraft or Remote Control Vehicle that fails to comply with this policy will be reported to Wake County Security and/or law enforcement officials.

Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space – Shelter Rules

Shelters can be reserved from 9 a.m. until park closing time. Contact park staff for closing time updates.
 
Reservations and Cancellation

• Keep group sizes within the listed maximum capacity of your selected shelter.

• Cancellations can only be made by contacting the park office.

• Cancellations more than two weeks before the scheduled date will result in a full refund.

• Cancellations less than two weeks before the scheduled date will not be refunded.

• No cancellations due to weather. Staff may reschedule in the event of severe weather conditions.

 
Outside Materials and Activities

• Fields, volleyball areas and playgrounds are first come, first served and cannot be reserved for exclusive use as part of a shelter reservation.

• Park in designated areas.

• Do not block entrance/egress to parking lots or access to parking spaces.

• Parking is not reserved as part of a shelter rental without prior authorization by park staff.

• Recreational equipment such as tents, play structures, inflatables and pools are not permitted.

• No water balloons, confetti, glitter, silly string or helium balloon releases. These are difficult to completely clean up and pose a hazard to wildlife.

• No additional directional signage.

• Do not use sidewalk chalk under the shelter or on the surrounding concrete pad.

 
Grill Use

• Use only charcoal in grills.

• Leave charcoal in the grill when finished – staff will remove.

• Do not pour water or liquids over coals or grill surfaces. This damages the grill coating.

• All grills, cookers and fryers must be used on gravel grill pads (if provided) or asphalt, with approval.

• Do not leave grills unattended.

• Ensure grease from grills and cookers does not drip on the ground.

 
Cleanup, Trash and Recycling

• Leave shelter and all areas of the park free of litter.

• Pay attention to small items such as straw wrappers, balloons, candy from piñatas, Easter eggs, etc.

• All trash must be contained in a trash can or bagged and tied. Additional bags can be found in the trash cans or from staff in the park office, if open.

• Do not dispose of liquids or ice in trash bags.

• Return shelter tables to their original positions.

• Remove all tape from the tables and shelter. Do not use tacks, nails or staples to decorate.

• Plastic bottles, glass containers and aluminum cans are the only items accepted in the recycling bins. No plastic cups, bags, tablecloths, utensils, etc. Do not place trash or food in the recycling bin.

• Allow adequate time to finish your activities and clean up before the park closes.

 
Selected Park Rules

The following are prohibited:

• Open fires

• Alcoholic beverages

• Tobacco and vapor products

• Feeding of wildlife

• Swimming

• Collection or release of any animal, plant or mineral material

• Amplified music or PA systems

• Overnight parking and camping

• ATVs and other motorized vehicles

 
Please contact park staff with any questions or concerns. We hope that you enjoy your shelter rental!