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Lake Crabtree County Park

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Category	Average Rating
Overall :	3.8 / 5.0   based on 88 votes
Technical :	1.8 / 5.0   based on 88 votes
Climbing :	1.7 / 5.0   based on 88 votes
Freeride :	2.4 / 5.0   based on 88 votes
Scenery/Wildlife :	3.3 / 5.0   based on 88 votes
Flow :	4.0 / 5.0   based on 77 votes

Description
Location: Just south of the RDU airport, off Aviation Parkway.
Miles: about 8
Skill Level: Beginner
Contact: Park office (919)460-3390 (call to see if trails are open)

Map
Park Hours and Fees
Directions
Rules of the Trail
Pump Track

Lake Crabtree County Park singletrack is by far the most popular place for beginner riders in the Triangle. Its central location is also great for relieving weekday stress if you work in RTP. The wooded trails connect to Umstead State Park and Cary's Black Creek Greenway.

Since it's so popular, plan on passing lots of other riders when the weather's good. Please be courteous and cautious with the riders you meet here. It is a great place to learn to ride and don't expect to come here and hammer people out of your way. Stopping to help out beginner riders does a world of good for our sport. There are six loops, some connectors, and the Lake Trail.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Crabtree trails are closed when they are muddy. Call ahead to see if they are open. Please respect the rules of the trail and don't ride on closed sections.

Directions
Go towards RDU airport on I-40 and exit onto Aviation Parkway going south. Crabtree County Park entrance is on the left. You may park in the first gravel parking lot or at the boat ramp parking area. One of the main trail entrances is across the road from the first gravel parking lot. Another great way to access the trail is via Connector C.

Old Reedy Creek parking lot driving directions via Google

Park Hours
8:00am to sunset, seven days a week. The park is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Rules of the Trail

1. All riders must wear a helmet.
2. Respect the rights of all other trail users and obey park rules and regulations. Bikers must always yield to walkers.
3. Plan Ahead.
4. Ride only on officially marked trails.
5. Keep your bike under control.
6. Do not disturb or alarm wildlife.
7. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
8. Leave no trace (don't litter).
9. Set a good example and report violators/hazards.
10. Allow time to finish outings before the park closes.
11. Park management has requested that group rides park at the boat ramp parking area. This leaves ample parking for the users of the open play lot.

Pump Track

Thanks to the wonderful staff of Lake Crabtree Park and volunteers, the first public pump track in the triangle area has been built. The pump track is located near the "old field rows" label on the map near the intersection of Connector A and Loop 1. A pump track is a series of rollers and berms. Its intended to teach one to learn how to pump their bike over ups and downs on a trail, which when mastered, a person will be able to accelerate their bike with out pedaling. The pump track is not really intended to be jumped, which defeats the purpose of the track. Rules/Guidelines The building of the pump track involved uncounted hours of planning, negotiations, and construction labor. Please follow these guidelines to help preserve the pump track in a good condition. no skidding no pedaling no braking helmets required lower your seat body position should be more upright as you approach the roller push down as you come over the roller easier on a hard tail but can also be done on a full suspension bike Note that if feels awkward at first. But once you get use to it, it's a lot of fun and a really good workout. Pedaling and braking destroys the rollers and berms. Especially when you "catch" a roller by pedaling over it.

This trail is not open for night riding except under organized night ride events coordinated with cycling clubs and park staff. Stay tuned to this site for upcoming night rides.

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Lake Crabtree Park trail has been reviewed 88 times by our trianglemtb.com guests.

Reviewed by: GMHopkins Reviewed on: 05/26/2025 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	Will miss these trails.
Reviewed by: nchawla Reviewed on: 02/16/2024 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	I love this trail. That said, I'm probably in the beginner-to-intermediate range and in my late 40's, so I like flow and comfort and taking my kids but don't need big jumps and rocks that I'd probably hurt myself on. So I love getting 8-10 mile work-outs here and riding with my kids - age 11 and 12. It's a ton of fun, and sometimes I meet people on the trail. There are some areas with jumps if you want them and a small pump track. If I was looking for something really technically challenging, big climbs and steep drops, where I would be isolated and not see a soul.. I wouldn't come here. 286 just next door is more challenging, I love it but haven't brought my kids there yet.
Reviewed by: Alpamayo Reviewed on: 10/24/2023 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	I went here for the first time this weekend. I never made it to 286 before it became legal, but I was hoping that the 286 trail would be more entertaining than the rest of Crabtree. They weren’t. Boring AF. No tech, some rolling hills, barely more than a wandering dirt path. I’m not sure why the parks in the Triangle can’t manage to build or keep entertaining trails. Crabtree, Beaver Dam, RTP, Harris, Brumley, … all boring AF.
Reviewed by: HillsboroughMTBR Reviewed on: 01/10/2023 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	This is a great go-to trail for my family. There are jumps for my boys and I can take all of my kids through out the whole park. I can think of just a few spots that my younger kids would need to walk or just skip that part as CT has much to offer. Great length of tail and that you can connect to Umtead can make for a great long bike ride! There is also an annual bike race that offered through https://usmtbseries.com/ I can not recommend this enough if you want to be pushed a bit. This can be competitive if you want or just ride for yourself as great time for all, very approachable to all.
Reviewed by: RThomas4 Reviewed on: 06/22/2022 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	Very fun trail; usually isn’t too busy on weekdays and has pretty good flow
Reviewed by: sgerstl0522 Reviewed on: 02/12/2022 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	No detailed review given.
Reviewed by: smokey_mountain Reviewed on: 05/08/2021 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	The trail is actually quite good but because RDU is no longer accessible for riding this trail overcrowded now. During the work days it is actually fun, but weekends are very busy with hikers, bikers and dogs but we need to share for everyone to enjoy the sports, so I am fine with it. So happy to have it in my backyard!
Reviewed by: Reed Reviewed on: 04/29/2021 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	really enjoyed the dirt jumps
Reviewed by: sprague Reviewed on: 03/26/2021 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	The grand daddy of legal Triangle trails, starting back in 1992, which was about the time I began off-road trail riding. Due to a lot of usage, especially by beginners, the trail surface is packed well. Some of the original downhills in the Loop 1 area were re-designed many years ago to add distance and fun flow. Because of the great flow the course is fast, especially in the Loop 1 and 2 area. I always have a smile on my face when I get finish a fast, flowy ride here. Thanks to park management and TMTB for keeping trail in good shape for riders of all levels.
Reviewed by: wolfie Reviewed on: 02/24/2021 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	No detailed review given.

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