You may have heard about the Seven Wonders of the World, but have you heard of the Seven Wonders of Wake County?! The Wake Nature Preserves Partnership declared the Seven WakeWonders to highlight Wake County’s finest natural areas and increase public awareness and appreciation of these special places. WakeWonders are some of the most outstanding natural areas in the Triangle, so this could serve as a sort of summer bucket list to visit each one!
1. Temple Flat Rock Preserve
Located on a rural parcel between Zebulon and Raleigh
I had only just recently heard about the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area that has a large exposure of the Rolesville Batholith granite, so imagine my surprise that there’s another large exposure at Temple Flat Rock Preserve! The property is owned by Triangle Land Conservancy and is a State Registered Natural Heritage Site,
Unfortunately, Temple Flat Rock is not open to the general public, but can be visited through guided programs and scheduled educational events through various vendors. The Center for Human- Earth Restoration schedules school groups for educational excursions. JC Raulston Arboretum took a public trip there once, but it seems to have been a one time thing. Since it appears to be pretty difficult to find a public tour, I suggest visiting the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area instead.
2. Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve
7800 Holly Springs Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606
Located on the eastern edge of Cary, Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve has a 1.6 mile loop trail running near the creek and is good for all skill levels. The preserve is easily accessible with a short walk from a small parking lot on Holly Springs Road. Once there, you’ll find 100-foot high bluffs along the creek lined with beech trees. The north-facing bluffs create a microclimate that supports plants typically found further west in the mountains. Be sure to climb the Stairway to Heaven, a set of stairs leading up to the top of the bluff, which offers amazing views.
3. Robertson Millpond Preserve
6333 Robertson Pond Rd, Wendell, NC 27591
We previously visited this preserve while completing the Wake County Junior Naturalist Challenge, and I have been planning on buying my own kayak just so we can explore further! Formed by a dam built almost 200 years ago, Robertson Millpond is a rare place with a smooth 1.15 mile kayak paddling trail. Bring your own boat to experience the only bald cypress blackwater swamp habitat in Wake County.
4. Prairie Ridge Ecostation
1671 Gold Star Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607
**Closed during the COVID-19 pandemic**
Owned by the downtown Raleigh Museum of Natural Sciences, our favorite spot at Prairie Ridge is the Nature Play Space. However, there are loads of other things to explore as well. Prairie Ridge has an outdoor classroom where various public programs are hosted to educate visitors about nature and science. There’s also a native plant garden and native tree arboretum, ponds, and a trail system winding through the prairie and forest.
5. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
2616 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27518
Hemlock Bluffs is one of the best spots for hiking in my opinion. With its hills and steep inclines it’s the closest to mountain hiking that you will ever get in the Raleigh area. There is a nature center onsite with interactive, educational nature and historical exhibits and at the park entrance there’s a small nature playground and children’s garden.
6. Harris Lake County Park
2112 County Park Dr, New Hill, NC 27562
Harris Lake County Park has a great playground and nature play space, but there’s also a pond habitat to explore, lots of walking trails, a lake for boating, and a disc golf course. Park staff also hosts lots of educational programs here throughout the year that are great for kids of all ages!
7. Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
5229 Awls Haven Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature preserve is known for their awesome nature play days, but they also have Three loop trails on the 157-acre property, exhibits and displays in their education center, hiking and wildlife watching, and native plant gardens. Don’t forget to check out an explorer backpack for your kids while you are there!
So far we have been to all but two of these WakeWonders, so keep an eye out for upcoming reviews of Swift Creek Bluffs and hopefully Temple Flatrock if we can get an educational excursion scheduled! Swift Creek Bluffs is also a part of the Triangle Land Conservancy Hiking Challenge, so register and complete your hike to win a prize!