All Signs Point to Lake Raleigh Woods

With spring around the corner, students and the broader community can look forward to exploring one of NC State’s Hallowed Places: Lake Raleigh Woods. Improvement projects have installed new signage, making Lake Raleigh easier to navigate as a destination for recreation, exploration and relaxation. 

“It’s a gem,” said Tommy Holden, a teaching professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Studies who leads classes on outdoor activities like mountain biking, canoeing and sea kayaking. He has led the trail improvement project at Lake Raleigh Woods since 2021.

He’s glad the trail project is complete and hopes the improvements will encourage more people to explore Lake Raleigh.

“A lot of people don’t seem to know about it,” he said. “I hope these improvements will get people to learn about and enjoy Lake Raleigh Woods.”

Find the Trail For You

In late 2024, the project saw the completion of 4.5 miles of new, professionally built hiking and mountain biking trails with improved signage. The area stretches over 96 acres of woods and a 75-acre lake in the heart of Centennial Campus — NC State’s state-of-the-art research campus, featuring spaces for industry collaboration and residential communities. Less than three miles from downtown Raleigh, the trails feature serene lake vistas, picturesque bridges and creek crossings, and birch and pine groves.

For those who like to explore on two wheels, there are over 2 miles of professionally graded mountain biking trails and areas to practice beginning and intermediate skills. The Fern Trail is a wide and beginner-friendly ride through a mile of Lake Raleigh Woods. The intermediate Tulip Poplar Trail is a winding mile of berms and adrenaline-pumping hills. The Lake Raleigh Recreation Area includes The Bike Library, a pop-up bike rental and coffee shop open on weekends.

The Lake Raleigh area connects to greenway networks like the Walnut Creek Trail, a 15-mile ride that links Lake Johnson to the Neuse River Trail. Those looking for a shorter two-wheeled adventure can easily get to locations like the NC State Farmer’s Market.

Runners, hikers and casual strollers also have over 2 miles of new trails dedicated to them. Of the four trails, the shortest is the quarter-mile Ridge Trail. The longest is the Lakeview Trail, which winds along the south side of Lake Raleigh. The Valley and Pine Trails lead to the Centennial Campus Middle School entrance and connect to the other trails.

The hiking trails were completed last year and redesigned to make them easy to navigate and guard against erosion — an eye toward sustainability. Improvements include reorienting the trails so visitors can get better views of the lake while natural habitats for plants and animals remain protected.

• Map: Lake Raleigh Woods

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts can find plenty of things to do. For disc golfers, a nine-hole course stretches across the Lake Raleigh area. On the lake, two piers are popular for sport fishing for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegills and catfish. A dedicated boat launch allows visitors to explore the lake on non-motorized craft such as kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

Lake Raleigh Woods is also a destination for bird-watching: A family of bald eagles has built a nest and made it their home.

For music lovers, there is a LIVE@Lake Raleigh concert series every other Thursday in the spring.

Since 2022, trail counters have logged around 25,000 visits to the hiking and biking paths. With improved signage, the Lake Raleigh Woods and recreation areas are ready to become a destination for more of campus and the broader community to experience and explore.

“Now everything’s well marked and color coordinated,” said Holden. “It’s much easier to navigate even if you don’t have any experience being out in nature or on the trail.”

A Place For Learning and Wellness

In 2005, students, faculty and staff submitted a proposal to designate the Lake Raleigh area as an educational and biodiversity reserve of local and regional importance — a place long recognized for its natural resources serving local communities. In the 1800s, it served as a farm and orchard of the former Dorothea Dix State Hospital, and by 1900, it had become a reservoir that supplied the city’s water. In the 1980s, the hospital property that stretched over 800 acres and included Lake Raleigh was transferred to NC State for the construction of Centennial Campus.

I’ve learned after doing this for almost 4 years that one of the main benefits of being in nature is improved health and wellness. Even if it’s 30 minutes once a week, the benefits are fantastic.

Members of the public and campus have pitched in to help Holden maintain the natural area. Recently, first-year engineering students joined Holden for an organized volunteer workday in the Lake Raleigh Woods. For them, it was a welcomed study break with some physical activity and fresh air. Holden encourages all students, faculty and staff to explore Lake Raleigh — and take a breather.

“I’ve learned after doing this for almost 4 years that one of the main benefits of being in nature is improved health and wellness,” said Holden. “Even if it’s 30 minutes once a week, the benefits are fantastic.”