Lake Johnson Park: West Raleigh's Outdoor Retreat
When spring has sprung, activity picks up on the Triangle area’s lakes and in its parks; and at Lake Johnson Park it only gets busier. Open from dawn until dusk and offering 3.5 miles of paved greenway trails for walking and jogging and 1.9 miles of unpaved trails for biking and hiking, Lake Johnson Park is a popular outdoor retreat for relaxing, exercising or simply soaking up some vitamin D.
What makes this 150-acre lake and 300-acre park such a gem on Raleigh’s west side is the proximity to downtown, to residential neighborhoods and to North Carolina State University’s campus.
Lake Johnson Park offers an array of recreational activities. For those seeking some time on or around the water, both casual anglers and laid back water sports enthusiasts can find some easy fun. Those who like to fish can try reeling in largemouth bass and catfish from Lake Johnson’s boardwalk, rental boats or personal, non-motorized water craft. And those who’d love to reel something in but don’t have fishing equipment can borrow a rod and reel through the free Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. In addition to the free loaner program, fishing classes are offered at the lake at various times during the year.
For those interested in paddling, pedaling or leisurely floating on the lake, canoes ($5/hour), kayaks ($5/hour), pedal boats ($8/hour), Jon boats (motorized for $10/hour; non-motorized for $4/hour) and Sunfish sailboats ($10/hour) are all available for rent.
Lake Johnson Park’s trail system encircles the lake, while featuring two directional loops – an east loop at 2.82 miles and a west loop at 1.64 miles. The paths’ inclines vary, making for an overall invigorating exercise course; and for much of it, there’s a nice view of the water along the way. Tree-lined, paved paths bestow a welcome touch of shade in the height of the heated summer, and various lake overlooks have picnic tables for taking a breather or admiring the setting sun.
Whether it’s a brief walk after a long day, or a long day of extended exercise or lounging, at Lake Johnson Park, you’ll find a slice of outdoor beauty ready and waiting.
HelloRaleigh Tip: Lake Johnson Park also offers indoor and outdoor rental facilities for group events within its serene setting. If you’re an architectural buff, take a look at the Magnolia Cottage, designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, showcasing an example of Wright’s masterful use of light.
Posted on Mar 31, 2011 by Angela Risko
