The Lake Crabtree County Park Boat Rental facility is now hiring for the 2024 season! Please see this flyer for more information.

Boat rental at Lake Crabtree County Park is open, as conditions permit:

10 a.m.–6 p.m. 
Rentals stop at 5 p.m.

• Saturday–Sunday (May 11–Sept. 15)
• Friday–Sunday (June 7–August 2)
• Holidays (see Boat Rental Information) 
   

All rentals are FREE for 2 hours, and require a valid photo ID to rent. All rentals are on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be reserved in advance. Life vests and paddles are provided.  Available for rent:

• Single Kayaks
• Double Kayaks 
• Canoes
• Stand-Up Paddle Boards 
• Pedal Boats
   

Customers must be at least 18 years of age, or 16 years of age accompanied by a parent or guardian on site to sign the release form. As a reminder, visitors are always welcome to launch their own boats at locations indicated in the park. See the “Public Boat Launching” section below.

For more information on Boat Rentals, call 919-460-3398 or see the information flyer here: Boat Rental Information.

Fishing is a popular pastime at Lake Crabtree County Park. A fishing pier and platform provide handicap accessibility. Fishing is permitted in designated areas only. The park offers a Tackle Loaner Program through the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Visit the Park Office Monday-Thursday or the Boat Rental Facility Friday-Sunday to ask about the Tackle Loaner Program. All participants must have a valid fishing license, provide their own bait, and return fishing equipment to the either the place you checked it out or the locker behind the park office if there are no staff available to process the return.

Any person 16 and older fishing in public waters MUST have a fishing license. Children under 16 years of age must be with a licensed adult to fish.

PCB Information and Fishing Advisory
In mid-May 2004, Lake Crabtree County Park was notified of elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the fish. Since this time, a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) fish consumption advisory has been in effect.

Wake County has a catch-and-release-only policy at Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek. The following documents contain information on Wake County's policy:

Wake County Catch and Release Policy

Advertencia del Gobierno del Condado de Wake

Lake Crabtree is ideal for water sports like paddling, sailing and rowing. The park offers accessible, year-round public boat launch areas, including a two-lane ramp for trailered craft and car-top launch areas. Only non-gasoline-powered motors are allowed.