Find out more about the following: 

Natural History

Natural_History_Shoreline.jpgBlue Jay Point County Park is a 236-acre park that was once primarily agricultural land. A majority of this acreage is now second-growth forestlands. We have roughly three acres dedicated to open play fields, playgrounds, an environmental education center and an overnight lodge.

Blue Jay Point is a peninsula, bordered on three sides by Raleigh's primary drinking water supply, Falls Lake. The lake is a reservoir managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Park boundaries are marked by orange blazes on trees and with signs. All local, state and federal laws apply while inside the park. The park officially opened its gates to the public on January 1, 1992.

Please remember that no collection, removal or release of any animal, plant
or mineral material is allowed in the park.
  


 

The health and safety of our visitors and staff remain the top priorities for Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. As Wake County follows the state’s phased approach to lift COVID-19 restrictions, we are also working to safely reopen park services in phases over the coming months. 

Update: Playgrounds at parks managed by Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space will reopen to the public when the parks open Saturday, Sept. 5. Visitors are encouraged to maintain physical distance, wear masks or cloth face coverings, and wash or sanitize their hands often.

Wake County park and preserve visitors must comply with guidelines set forth by the State of North Carolina, including gathering with no more than 50 people, maintaining physical distance of at least six feet from any other person, and wearing a mask or cloth face covering when social distancing is not possible.

Measures to limiting the number of people allowed in the park at one time remain in place. If a gate is closed or cones are blocking the entrance, that means the park has reached capacity. Parks that are run by towns or cities may be operating differently—please reach out to them directly before visiting their parks.  

The following restrictions will remain in place at Wake County parks and preserves through at least Sept. 30: 

  • Park centers are closed.
  • Park programs and events are canceled. 
  • Special operations, such as boat rentals, group camping and lodge rental, are not available. 
  • Shelter rentals and other park use agreements are canceled.

As of 5 p.m. June 26, the State of North Carolina has mandated that people must wear masks or cloth face coverings when in public and unable to adhere to social distancing guidelines. This applies at Wake County’s parks and preserves.

As a reminder, 24/7 digital programming is available at wakegov.com/parks/fromhome.

Park Rules and Regulations

Safety and enjoyment go hand in hand at Blue Jay Point County Park. The following rules and regulations have been established to ensure a safe and pleasant visit:
  • The following are prohibited:
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Use of any tobacco or vapor products 
    • Firearms
    • Hunting
    • Overnight camping
    • Swimming
    • Collection or removal of any animal, plant or mineral material
    • Amplified music

Park Hours

Park Grounds: 8 a.m.–sunset, seven days a week.
Blue Jay Center Exhibit Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week.
Park Office Hours: Usually 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon.–Sat.
Days and hours of operation for Go Ape–Blue Jay Point may be obtained by calling
1-800-971-8271.

The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and
New Year's Day.

Park Facilities and Activities

Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education
**Important note** The Education Center is closed through September 30 with the exception of the restrooms, which are accessible from the outside from 8 a.m. until 4:45 p.m.  The Blue Jay Center houses an exhibit hall that explores many environmental and natural resource themes. Water is the focus of the first set of exhibits, offering a glimpse of the water cycle, the Neuse River basin, the Falls Lake watershed, and the city's reliance on Falls Lake for its supply of drinking water. The next series of exhibits offers visitors a look at many of the perils currently impacting the local environment, and highlights steps citizens can take toward its preservation. Finally, the Nature Discovery Room allows visitors an up-close look at the natural habitats found at Blue Jay Point, exploring the plants, animals and ecology of the fields, forests and streams of the park.
 
The Blue Jay Center is also the base for the park's environmental education programs. We have two indoor classrooms that are used for programs, workshops and environmental education resource professional meetings.
 
 
Gardens and Study Pond
 
This area, located next to the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education, gives visitors ideas for their own backyard wildlife habitat and native plantings. The gardens and pond area also serve as an outdoor classroom for many of our environmental education programs.
 

 

Overnight Lodge
 
Blue Jay Lodge.jpgBlue Jay Point's Overnight Lodge exists to turn environmental education into a prolonged experience. Our overnight facility is used exclusively for this purpose. For more information on the Lodge, its amenities, requirements and reservations, please read our information on the Overnight Lodge. 
 
 
 
 
Hiking and Walking Trails

 
**Important note** 
Blue Jay Trail.jpgThere are five miles of trails within the park. For a trail map, see pages 3–4 of Blue Jay Point's Park Brochure. Remember: ALL dogs must remain on a 6-foot leash.
 
Walk our Azalea Loop Trail for an interpretive experience. At the trail head, pick up an Interpretive Guide for the seasonal Information that corresponds with numbered posts along the trail.

 
Hikers seeking extended trail opportunities will discover that Blue Jay's Section VI of the Falls Lake Trail connects with North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail, thus extending the hiking opportunities well beyond the boundaries of Blue Jay Point – NC Falls Lake Trail Map, turn-by-turn description, and start-finish shortened description.
Mountain biking is not allowed on Blue Jay Point's trails. For mountain biking opportunities in the RTP area, please visit Triangle MTB 

 
 
Picnic Area

 
**Important note** Please follow all Social Distancing guidelines.  
The playgrounds reopened Saturday, September 5. 
Blue_Jay_Picnic_Area.jpg
Blue Jay Point has several picnic areas with tables and grills. The tables are in shaded areas, not shelters. Use of picnic areas is on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations. If you are planning to bring a large group (50+ people) out to the park, please read our Blue Jay Big Group Trip Guidelines
 

 

 

Go Ape Treetop Adventure Courses 
 

Go Ape now has TWO Tree Top courses at Blue Jay to meet the needs of more adventure seekers.  The Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course experience provides participants ages 10 and up who are at least 55" tall with 2–3 hours of outdoor fun and exercise. The course allows participants to explore the park from an otherwise unobtainable vantage point while navigating through the treetops using zip lines, obstacles and Tarzan swings. It's a great outdoor activity for families, friends and groups. The Go Ape Treetop Journeys Course is the perfect introductory high-ropes course experience, focused on getting you off the ground and into the trees. Featuring 20 obstacles and 2 zip lines, our Journey course uses physical activity to inspire a love for the outdoors.  Participants 39" tall and up can enjoy a 1 hour outdoor experience utilizing an easy-to-use safety system that keeps little Tarzans and Janes safe while they focus on having fun. Grown-ups can have fun too!  Go Ape provides a portion of their proceeds and stewardship services back to the park. For information or bookings, contact Go Ape directly at www.goape.com or 1-800-971-8271. To see what the fun is all about, check out this video!

 

Playgrounds

Blue_Jay_Playground.jpg**Important Note** All playgrounds at Blue Jay Point reopened Saturday, September 5.   Blue Jay has a Tot Lot for 3–5-year-olds and a Kids Lot for 5–12-year-olds AND a Natural Play Area!  Picnic tables, restroom facilities, and a paved loop trail (great for strollers) are nearby. Don't forget to visit the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education just over the hill!  Check out this video of our playgrounds!

 

 

Open Play Fields

These large open areas are ideal for flying kites, throwing Frisbees, and just relaxing in the sun. Remember: all dogs must remain on a 6-foot leash. If you are planning on bringing a large group (50+ people) out to the park, please read our Big Group Trip Tip Guidelines. Blue Jay Point does not offer organized sports. Please contact your local municipality's Parks and Recreation Department for information on organized sports.
Blue Jay Model Rocket Drone and RC Vehicle Policy

 
 
Fishing Areas
 
Blue_Jay_Fishing_Area.jpgThe shores of Blue Jay Point provide informal bank fishing in Falls Lake. NOTE: All N.C. Inland Freshwater Fishing Regulations apply. Please be aware of the new fishing license requirement – all anglers ages 16 years and older using any type of bait or gear must possess a valid North Carolina fishing license.  You may easily get your fishing license online or at a nearby bait shop. 
 
 
Geocaching
 
Blue_Jay_Geocache.jpgThe hunt is on during this high-tech “treasure” hunting activity! The idea is to use GPS devices to find hidden containers within the park. This activity is self-guided by getting coordinates from Geocaching.com and bringing your own GPS unit. Those wishing to establish a new cache must receive approval prior to placing a cache. To obtain the approval you must complete and submit a Geocache Placement Request Form to the park office.
 

Other Links

Local Municipality Parks and Recreation: