Are there any "secret" parks or swimming places in the Raleigh area? (Durham: rent, elementary school)

[Bings]

I'm looking for a secluded park or lake where I could take my boy as a surprise. Maybe there are secret swimming holes or cool secluded spots in nature.. Anybody?

[skaternum]

Yes. But we can't tell you about them.

[clj2]

Not maybe very secluded, but I like Lake Wheeler (off of Lake Wheeler Rd, ha) in South Raleigh.

[fester600]

My wife and I did some 'wafting' on the Eno 2 years back. It was amazing. Unfortunately, it looks like their site it down. I hope they did not close:
http://www.wafter.org/

At any rate, it looks like you can still rent Canoes and stuff... And there is a nice swimming whole with a rope swing at the end of the river.

One of the best kept secrets in the triangle in my book:

Paddling the Eno River

BTW - This is in Durham so I hope that constitutes as the 'Raleigh Area'

[SunnyKayak]

See this post
Tell them you are going bird watching but Im trying to figure out how you are going to hide the towels and swim suits unless you pack in your back pack.
Take the trail on the right side of the parking lot and it will split and split just stick with the main one but other trails will lead to the lake as well it will look like you are going hiking in a forest and it will take about 20 minutes so they will have no clue. It 6 miles from I 40 & 751 interchange

Very few people in the spring in fall and little in summer . Someone might pass about every hour

[he's so hott]

Originally Posted by Bings

I'm looking for a secluded park or lake where I could take my boy as a surprise. Maybe there are secret swimming holes or cool secluded spots in nature.. Anybody?

Be very quiet and come close to your computer monitor. {in low whisper voice} I know of a couple of places, but I can't tell you b/c............it's a secret, but I'll give you a hint. {end of low whisper voice} Here's the hint: {low whisper voice} look to the where the moon rises to the sun and the two stones pointed east meet as one where the pretty lady eats. {end of low whisper voice} Or you can go with fester600's suggestion, which is a good one.

Cheers,

[rushore]

Secluded and secret it is not, but fun it is - if your boy is between 2 and 8, I would go to Pullen Park, which is near the NC State campus in Raleigh. They have a full-size operational carousel, paddle boats, playground, and a train that will take you around the park. For the younger kids, they also have a boat carousel. My 4 year old loves the place! Now, many of those attractions will obviously be closed this time of year, but based on the fact that you were looking for a swimming hole, I'm guessing you weren't really looking to go now.

Another good park is Shelley Lake (Sertoma Arts Center). It has a 1 1/2 mile greenway around the lake, paddle boats (in the summer), a very good playground, and basketball courts. Not sure if they are still set up this time of year, but during the season, there are usually full size soccer goals that are used for team practices and pick-up games. Great duck-feeding and bicycling park!

[uncletupelo]

The Old Lassiter Mill Park is really cool. My kids love it. It is located off of lassiter mill rd just inside the beltline below north hills.

[rushore]

Originally Posted by uncletupelo

The Old Lassiter Mill Park is really cool. My kids love it. It is located off of lassiter mill rd just inside the beltline below north hills.

Can you tell me what they have since I might want to try that one myself? I don't live far from there but have never seen it.

[uncletupelo]

Lassitter Mill is now a city park. Remnants of the old mill are still there as well as the original damn. You can fish, there is a small greeway that is great for kids(no much traffic) and a couple of grills. It is just a nice way to get back to nature in the middle of town. Take a right just before you get to Root elementary school.