We offer a variety of park programs for all ages – register for one today! Visit our
calendar of events, view our program
e-newsletter or
sign up here to receive our e-newsletters to keep up with what is happening in the parks.
Important Updates
As of Jan. 1, 2019, there is no charge for all Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space public, group and outreach programs. Fees still apply for camps and shelter rentals.
Scroll down or select a program series below to learn more about our offerings:
Each person attending family programs must be registered through the online system. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Marvelous Migration
Wednesday, Sept. 25
2–3 p.m.
Free for all ages
This
program celebrates Take A Child Outside (TACO) Week.
Learn
about the annual, long-distance movement of the migratory birds in our park. We
will learn the difference between summer migrants, winter migrants and
permanent residents and then go on a hike around the park to look for our
feathered friends.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter.
Get to Know Hawks, Eagles and Owls
Sunday, Sept. 29
2–3:30 p.m.
Free for all ages
This program celebrates Take a Child Outside (TACO) Week.
North Carolina is home to many different kinds of birds of prey, also called raptors (eagles, hawks, owls and falcons). Learn about some of the most common ones seen from the park, meet a few up close with our taxidermy mounts and take a short hike to look and listen for them. Bring your own binoculars if you have them.
Meet at the Longleaf Shelter.
Kids Discover Nature: Nature's Hide and Seek
Monday, Oct. 7
11 a.m.–noon
Free for ages 1–6 with accompanying adult
Camouflage is fun in the fall as there are many more colors in nature. Discover how animals hide to survive as we play a camouflage game. We will read a story and you will make your own hide and seek critter.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter.
An Array of Arachnids
Wednesday, Oct. 9
2–3 p.m.
Free for all ages
What is an arachnid, you ask? An animal that has eight legs, such as a spider or tick. Spiders, and the different kinds of webs they weave, are very abundant in the fall. Learn about the arachnids in the park, see some up close, then take a walk to locate some in their own habitat.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter.
16th Annual Haunting at Harris: Fall Moon Rising
Sunday, Oct. 13
1–6 p.m.
Free for all ages
NO registration required!
Join us to celebrate the fall moon! During a full moon in October, the mystical powers of the moon are revealed in many ways, so be on the lookout for live scarecrows, werewolves and more!
Take a wagon ride to help collect all the pieces from the broken moon so it can rise again. We will explore full moon folklore, stories and creepy critters galore! At the shelters, play games, create crafts, enjoy fun activities and meet live animals.
Come as you are or wear a kid-friendly costume for this FREE family event!
Going Batty
Friday, Oct. 18
6–7 p.m.
Free for all ages
We think about bats this time of year for Halloween. Join us as we learn the truth about bats and their importance to the ecosystem. After a wonderful story we will take a walk to some places around the park to scan the evening skies in search of them.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter.
Fall Bird Hike
Saturday, Oct. 19
8:30–10:30 a.m.
Free for ages 8 and up
Join local bird expert Larry Zoller as we explore the different habitats of Harris Lake County Park to look and listen for our resident birds as well as fall migrants that have stopped to rest and refuel here during their long journey. Bring a water bottle and your own binoculars and field guide if you have them. Space is limited so register early!
Meet at the picnic tables in the Educational Garden.
Big Sweep
Sunday, Oct. 20
12:30–3:30 p.m.
Free for ages 8 and up; participants 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Help keep Harris Lake clean! Volunteers are needed to help collect trash along the lake shore and along New Hill Holleman Road, preventing litter from reaching Harris Lake. Minimum age for shoreline cleanup is 8; minimum age for roadside cleanup is 10. Trash bags for all and orange vests for the roadside crew will be provided. Adults must be with kids younger than 15.
We will count the bags collected for Wake County Big Sweep records.
All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes or boots, bring a filled water bottle and your own work gloves. We have loaner gloves if needed. Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended. Dress for the weather. All volunteers must sign the Wake County Volunteer Release. Please return the completed volunteer release to the park prior to Big Sweep or arrive at 12:15 to process the paperwork.
All Big Sweep volunteers must be registered through our online system. High school groups coming for volunteer service need at least 1 adult per group of 4 students.
Meet at the Park Office.
Creepy Caching
Sunday, Oct. 27
1:30–3 p.m.
Free for ages 6 and up
Join us for this special Halloween themed geocaching adventure! Learn what geocaching is and how to use a GPS unit then go find the special creepy caches hidden in the park and get a surprise to take home!
Meet at the platform in the Educational Garden.
Halloween Family Wagon Ride
Thursday, Oct. 31
11 a.m.–noon
Free for all ages
Celebrate Halloween (and a day off from school) on a wagon ride along the back roads of Harris Lake County Park. Be on the lookout for all things fall and spooky as you and your family play a fun bingo game. Wear your favorite trick-or-treat costume!
Meet at the wagon at the playground.
Ages: 10 and up
Time: 1:30–3 p.m.
FREE, but all participants must be registered
through our online system.
Assist with our habitat box monitoring. Tasks will vary depending on what needs attention and may include: cleaning or repairing habitat boxes or installing new ones, monitoring our current boxes or assisting with other natural resource tasks.
Come prepared to learn and work – dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, bring work gloves and a water bottle.
Children ages 10–14 must have an adult registered with them.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter unless told otherwise.
Check out our public programs at the American Tobacco Trail!
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To register for one of our public programs, click the Harris Lake icon next to the program to be taken to the registration page on our
online registration website, or use the button below to search for programs by location, age, date and more.
Internet Browser Issues?
Internet Explorer works best when registering or searching via our program calendar.
Questions?
The most common registration questions are answered on our
FAQ page.
If you still need further assistance after visiting that page or if you have a question about a program, please call the park office at 919-387-4342.
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Interested in a private group program? Please note that you will still need to contact park staff by phone at 919-387-4344 or by email at
jackie.trickel@wakegov.com to schedule school field trips, birthday parties and other group programs.
Having trouble registering for a program online?
Contact the park office at 919-387-4342 or email us at