Our staff also offers public programs at the American Tobacco Trail!
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Online Public Program Registration
You can register for public programs online at your convenience and pay for them with a credit/debit card.
Register for any of our programs by clicking the Harris Lake icon next to the program, or click the one below to search for programs by location, age, date and more!
Each person attending family programs must be registered through the online system. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Free Fishing Fun on the Fourth
Tuesday, July 4
9 a.m.–noon
For all ages
Free, no registration is required.
Fishing is a fun and inexpensive way to celebrate Independence Day! The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission invites anglers and would-be anglers of all ages to go fishing for free on July 4, all day. Everyone in North Carolina – residents and non-residents alike – can fish in any public body of water, including coastal waters, without purchasing a fishing license. Although no license is required, all other fishing regulations, such as size, creel limits and lure restrictions still apply.
Harris Lake County Park staff will have fishing rods for you to borrow and will be on hand to provide basic instruction or other assistance. Registration is not required - fishing poles are first-come, first-served. Bring your favorite bait. Park in the Fishing Pond/Disc Golf lot (first gravel lot on your right) and walk to the Fishing Shed.
Family Astronomy Evening
Friday, July 28
8:30–11 p.m.
For all ages
$1 per person
Discover the night sky through telescopes and binoculars. See Jupiter and Saturn among other celestial bodies. Bring your own viewing instrument if you have one, a chair or blanket and water bottle. All persons attending must be registered through the online system. Meet at the Loblolly Shelter.
Family Camping Experience
Begins Friday, August 4, at 5 p.m. and ends Saturday, August 5, at 11 a.m.
For ages 4 and up
$8 per person
Experience family camping in a safe and learning environment. We will help you with tent set up, cooking tips, what to expect and so much more. We want to prepare you for a lifetime of camping.
Relax around the fire with s'mores, take a night hike and enjoy other optional activities. You provide your equipment and some food, and we will provide the fun, know-how and some food! More information with what to bring and what to expect will be sent to those who register, including food options. Space is limited so register soon. All persons attending must be registered through the online system.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter.
Programs meet at the Cypress Shelter.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Nature Tots: Seasonal Discoveries
Ages: 1–3 years with an adult
Time: 10–10:30 a.m.
Cost: $2 per child
Discover the season and what is out and about in the park through a story, interactive activities and more. Dress warm for outdoor fun in nature! Meet at the Cypress Shelter.
Click on a date below (all Mondays) to register online:
Kids Discover Nature
Ages: 3–7 years with an adult
Time: 11 a.m.–noon
Cost: $4 per child
Young kids will discover nature with an adult in this series.
Our monthly nature themes will be brought to life through stories, games, crafts, hikes, snacks and other hands-on activities.
Stay tuned for our August and September Kids Discover Nature programs coming soon!
Nature Lab: Dragonflies in Depth Wednesday, July 19
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
For ages 6 and up
$16 per child
Spend the day learning about dragonflies – our colorful hunters of the skies! Dip into the pond to see how they begin their lives, try your hand at catching some adults and create a beautiful dragonfly craft to take home. Bring a water bottle, light lunch and snack.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter.
Engaging Lessons from Plastic Pollution
Wednesday, June 28
6–8 p.m.
For ages 16 and up
Free, but space is limited
An interactive, hands-on workshop to learn how you can use the issue of ocean plastic pollution to teach a variety of topics including migration, ocean currents, natural resource management, endangered species and much more. Incorporate the issue into science, language arts, math, art and social responsibility. Inspire people to take simple actions to make the world a better place for everyone. Take part in hands-on activities you can use for your classroom, camps and informal education. Take home a resource guide with plenty of lessons you can use to bring your ideas to life for your students and program participants.
Meet at the Park Office (first right after you enter the park).
This program qualifies for Criteria III credit towards the NC Environmental Education Certification.
Sea Change is a program designed by Girl Scout Gold Award Candidate and NC Ocean Conservation Summit Grant Recipient Carly S., an Ambassador Girl Scout from Troop 374, Girl Scouts NC Coastal Pines, and a rising senior in high school. She has spent the last year researching and designing ocean plastic pollution educational programs and delivering them to museum visitors, school environmental clubs, the NC Ocean Conservation Summit and teachers.
Ages: 10 and up
Time: 1:30–3:30 p.m.
FREE!
Volunteer your time with our monitoring and citizen science projects! Tasks will vary depending on what needs attention. Tasks may include: cleaning or repairing habitat boxes or installing new ones, monitoring our current boxes and assisting with other tasks as needed. Come prepared to learn and work as you contribute to our citizen science projects. This volunteer opportunity is free but registration is required so we know who to expect and can plan accordingly.
Dress for the weather in layers, bring a water bottle and work gloves and wear sturdy shoes.
Meet at the Cypress Shelter unless told otherwise.
Click on one of the dates below to register online:
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space has launched one of our most requested features – an online registration system.
You can now sign up for a public program online and pay for it with a credit/debit card!
To register for one of our public programs, click the link by that program to be taken to the registration page on our
online registration website.
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.
Are you unable to register online with a credit/debit card? Contact the park office at 919-387-4342 or email us at harris.lake@wakegov.com for assistance.