Wake County Parks@WakeGovParks

Wake County Parks, Recreation & Open Space manages eight parks, two nature preserves, and approx. 9,000 acres of open space in the Raleigh, NC area.

 Raleigh, NC
wake.gov/parks
Joined March 2016
10,264 Photos and videos
It’s that time of year when our area's tree diversity is most on show!
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This lil guy was spotted enjoying last Friday's rain in the herb garden at #HistoricOakView County Park! #RainyDay #TurtleWatch #FallVibes #WildlifePhotography
A turtle slowly walking on a brick path covered with dry autumn leaves in a backyard with trees and a white fence.

ALT A turtle slowly walking on a brick path covered with dry autumn leaves in a backyard with trees and a white fence.
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From Nov. 7–29, explore "Possum's Harvest Moon," written and illustrated by Anne Hunter. Possum wants to throw a last party before winter on the night of the harvest moon, but his forest friends are all too busy preparing for their winter sleep to come. #StoryWalkatHarrisLake
Illustration of a mother and child walking on a path at Harris Lake for the StoryWalk event from Nov 7-29, 2026, featuring the book Possum's Harvest Moon.

ALT Illustration of a mother and child walking on a path at Harris Lake for the StoryWalk event from Nov 7-29, 2026, featuring the book Possum's Harvest Moon.
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Today is the day for #BeechBluff's first ever Grateful Harvest Festival! From 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. today, celebrate gratitude, the community's rich agricultural history and a sustainable future through fun, family-friendly activities. wake.gov/GratefulHarvest 🍂
Wooden sign reading 'Grateful Harvest festival' with pumpkins and a basket of corn, event on Nov 7, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Beech Bluff County Park.

ALT Wooden sign reading 'Grateful Harvest festival' with pumpkins and a basket of corn, event on Nov 7, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Beech Bluff County Park.
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Check out #YatesMill's November newsletter to stay up to date with park news, upcoming programs, and more! ow.ly/3w995103JlB
Illustration of a blue bird flying near clouds with an envelope icon and the text 'PARK NEWSLETTER'.

ALT Illustration of a blue bird flying near clouds with an envelope icon and the text 'PARK NEWSLETTER'.
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Planning to do a professional photo shoot in @WakeGovParks? Make sure to get your free reservation for a time at the park of your choice. More information at: wake.gov/parks/photography. #ProfessionalPhotography #PhotoShoot #ParkPhotography
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From November 3–30, visit the new #YatesMill StoryWalk®, "Have You Seen My Acorn?," written and illustrated by DK Ryland. Enjoy this humorous picture book about a squirrel who enlists the help of his woodland friends as he searches for his missing acorn! #StoryWalkatYatesMill
Illustration of a mother and child walking along a path at Historic Yates Mill for the StoryWalk event from Nov 3-30, 2026.

ALT Illustration of a mother and child walking along a path at Historic Yates Mill for the StoryWalk event from Nov 3-30, 2026.

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We’re celebrating 50 years of @WakeGovParks with a Create Your Parks Adventure Challenge! 🗺️Get a tracker online or in our parks 📍Explore new spaces or attend programs ✔️Earn 10 points per visit. Hit 50 points and receive a prize! 🎉 #WakeParks50 wake.gov/parks50/challenge
Plush owl toy, yellow binoculars, and multi-tool carabiner with Wake County Parks 50th anniversary logo and challenge cards.

ALT Plush owl toy, yellow binoculars, and multi-tool carabiner with Wake County Parks 50th anniversary logo and challenge cards.
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From Nov. 3–30, visit #Crowder's StoryWalk® "We're Going on a Leaf Hunt," written by Steve Metzger and illustrated by Miki Sakamoto. Join three friends on a leaf-finding adventure as they hike over a mountain and through a forest to collect leaves. #StoryWalkatCrowder
Illustration of a mother and child walking on a path with a large book and a sign for StoryWalk at Crowder in a park setting.

ALT Illustration of a mother and child walking on a path with a large book and a sign for StoryWalk at Crowder in a park setting.
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Fall colors are looking lovely at Historic #YatesMill County Park! #FallColors #AutumnVibes #ScenicViews #OutdoorLife
Calm lake reflecting autumn trees with yellow and green leaves under a cloudy sky.

ALT Calm lake reflecting autumn trees with yellow and green leaves under a cloudy sky.
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From November 1-30, visit the #Turnipseed StoryWalk®, "Keepunumuk - Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story" written by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten, and illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr. A Wampanoag story about the first “Thanksgiving.” #StoryWalkatTurnipseed
Illustration of a mother and child walking on a path at Turnipseed Nature Preserve with a StoryWalk sign and a book page floating nearby.

ALT Illustration of a mother and child walking on a path at Turnipseed Nature Preserve with a StoryWalk sign and a book page floating nearby.
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Congratulations to Instagram's @photoart_studiofv for being chosen the winner of the October Instagram Contest for this close up shot of the mill at Historic #YatesMill County Park! Want to enter the contest? Tag your photo with the tag @WakeGovParks and you are in the running.
Close-up of a wooden gear mechanism with water droplets falling around it, highlighting rustic craftsmanship.

ALT Close-up of a wooden gear mechanism with water droplets falling around it, highlighting rustic craftsmanship.

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From November 1–30, #HistoricOak View will feature the book, "When We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast," written by Andrea L. Rogers and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. A Cherokee girl joins her family in the hunt for green onions. #StoryWalkatOakView
Illustration of a woman and child walking on a path with a floating book, promoting StoryWalk at Historic Oak View in November 2026.

ALT Illustration of a woman and child walking on a path with a floating book, promoting StoryWalk at Historic Oak View in November 2026.
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It's #MobileTourMonday! Did you know that many @WakeGovParks have mobile tours you can enjoy at home or while in the park? Today we are featuring the new tour from #BeechBluff County Park! To take the tour, visit: ow.ly/thme50ZVqro
Large metal sculpture with hexagonal blue glass panels stands in a sunny park plaza near a modern pavilion building.

ALT Large metal sculpture with hexagonal blue glass panels stands in a sunny park plaza near a modern pavilion building.
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From November 1 - December 31, drop off food and supply donations at participating park locations. 🎄Beech Bluff County Park 🥫🪥 🎄Crowder County Park 🥫🪥 🎄Historic Oak View County Park 🥫🪥 🎄Historic Yates Mill County Park 🥫🪥 More ways to help: wake.gov/foodsecurity.
Open cardboard box filled with cereal, pasta, canned goods, detergent, and paper towels for Wake County Parks food drive.

ALT Open cardboard box filled with cereal, pasta, canned goods, detergent, and paper towels for Wake County Parks food drive.
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From Nov. 1–27, visit the #BeechBluff StoryWalk®, "At the Mountain's Base" written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre. A family waits for a loved one to return home in this lyrical picture book celebrating the bonds of a Cherokee family. #StoryWalkatBeechBluff
Illustration of a woman and child walking on a path with a floating book and a squirrel, promoting the 2026 StoryWalk event at Beech Bluff.

ALT Illustration of a woman and child walking on a path with a floating book and a squirrel, promoting the 2026 StoryWalk event at Beech Bluff.

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Do you know how to survive in the woods? Join #Crowder staff on Friday, November 6, at 4:30 p.m. for our "Survival Skills" program to learn tips and tricks on how to live off of the land. Register: ow.ly/XpAI5102vj0.
Group of children and an adult gathering sticks to build a campfire in a forest at night.

ALT Group of children and an adult gathering sticks to build a campfire in a forest at night.
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Someone is ready for haunting! The marbled orb weaver, like this one seen at #GreenHills, is often called the Halloween or Pumpkin spider. Whether you're carving pumpkins, listening for wildlife, or enjoying trick-or-treating, have a wonderful and safe Halloween! 📸: Sam Ray
Close-up of a yellow and black patterned orb-weaver spider with orange legs resting on its web near a dried leaf.

ALT Close-up of a yellow and black patterned orb-weaver spider with orange legs resting on its web near a dried leaf.

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Join #YatesMill staff on Saturday, November 7, at 11 a.m. for "Millpond Miasma: A Public Health History of Gristmills" to learn about the weird and fascinating medical history of mills and millponds in North Carolina. Best for ages 7 and up. ow.ly/QcMl5102vaC.
Misty pond at dawn with trees and waterfowl, promoting a talk on the public health history of grist milling.

ALT Misty pond at dawn with trees and waterfowl, promoting a talk on the public health history of grist milling.
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Save the date for #BeechBluff's first ever Grateful Harvest Festival! On Saturday, November 7 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., celebrate gratitude, the community's rich agricultural history and a sustainable future through fun, family-friendly activities. wake.gov/GratefulHarvest 🍂
Wooden sign reading 'Grateful Harvest festival' with pumpkins and a basket of corn, event on Nov 7, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Beech Bluff County Park.

ALT Wooden sign reading 'Grateful Harvest festival' with pumpkins and a basket of corn, event on Nov 7, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Beech Bluff County Park.
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