Blue Jay Point Park Visitor Information

View across Falls Lake from Blue Jay's shoreline
Falls Lake is just a step away

Experience environmental education surrounded by nature at Blue Jay Point County Park. This 236-acre park features hiking trails, shoreline fishing, picnic areas, playgrounds, open play fields and Go Ape Treetop Courses.

Park Hours

Park Grounds Hours
Monday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–Sunset

Education Center Exhibit Hours
Monday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Go Ape @ Blue Jay Point Hours
Call 800-971-8271

The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Follow us on Facebook.

Park News

Upcoming Events

Park staff conducting a prescribed burn of meadow area.

Occasionally, there may be things occurring in the park that could impact your visit. These might include our own large events, organized volunteer efforts, youth sports, renovation projects or scheduled closures. Use the button below to view upcoming events.

Job Openings

Staff person performing some landscaping work in Blue Jay's educational garden.

We're currently not hiring.  You may view other Wake County Park job opportunities at this link:  Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space.

E-Newsletter

Keep up with what's happening in the park!  Learn about this month's program offerings, projects, events, operating hours and more!  Subscribe to receive via email by clicking the button above the newsletter.

Park Information

Park Rules

Safety and enjoyment go hand in hand at Blue Jay Point County Park. The following rules and regulations have been established to ensure a safe and pleasant visit for all:

  1. Speed limit is 20 mph.
  2. Clean up after your pets.
  3. Keep pets on a 6-foot leash.
  4. Park only in designated areas. No parking on roadsides or outside park gates.
  5. Drones, model rockets and RC vehicle restrictions can be found HERE.
     

The following are prohibited:

  • Open fires
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tobacco and vapor products 
  • Hunting
  • Feeding of wildlife
  • Swimming
  • Collection or release of any natural material or living organism unless otherwise designated by Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space staff
  • Amplified music
  • Littering
  • Firearms
  • Overnight parking and camping
  • ATVs and other motorized vehicles (E-Bikes and Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices as defined by NC General Statutes are allowed where traditional bicycles are permitted)

Professional Photography in the Park

A photographer focusing a camera in the park
People, wildlife and scenery are all photography subjects at Blue Jay.

With so many picturesque locations in the park, photography continues to increase in popularity. To ensure that all park visitors have an enjoyable experience, registration is required for all professional, client-based photography sessions. To learn more and register your shoot, use the button below.

Geocaches

Image of a labeled geocache plastic container on the forest floor
Try your luck at finding our caches!

The hunt is on during this high-tech “treasure” hunting activity! Use GPS devices to find hidden containers within the park. This activity is self-guided by getting coordinates from Geocaching.com and bringing your own GPS unit or downloading the www.Geocaching.com cell phone app. Those wishing to establish a new cache must complete and submit a Geocache Form to the park office for review.

Metal Detecting

Wake County Parks, Recreation & Open Space has a "No Collection" policy that does not allow visitors to take things (natural or man-made) from the parks. Our parks contain both historically significant structures and documented cemeteries that should not be disturbed.

Metal detectors and magnet fishing may be used to look for an item you have specifically lost, but not to "treasure hunt" in general. The Park Manager must be notified and grant permission in advance of using a metal detector or magnet fishing to search for a personal lost item.

Augmented Reality Games

Screenshot of available assets in an augmented reality game at Blue Jay Point
Both Wizards Unite and Pokémon Go AR games are full of activity at Blue Jay.

Do you want to enjoy both the high tech and the low tech sides of Blue Jay at the same time? Try your hand at one of the popular Augmented Reality games while you get your daily walk in!

With 3 Gyms and 10 Pokestops, (many easily walkable, some drivable) Pokémon Go fans can raid for Legendaries and walk those eggs while getting your exercise at Blue Jay.

Park Picks - Selfie Stations

Image promoting Park Picks

We want to see YOU in our favorite park spots! Look for the #ParkPicks sign in Blue Jay Point, STOP and SNAP a selfie and SHARE it with us using the hashtag #ParkPicks. We can't wait to see your selfies!

Drones/RC Vehicles/Model Rockets

Personal or hobby use of drones and RC vehicles is permitted subject to this policy

*All model rocket launches must first be approved by calling 919-870-4330.

Park Features

Blue Jay Education Center

Students viewing a display in the Blue Jay Education Center

The Blue Jay Education Center houses an exhibit hall that explores many environmental and natural resource themes. Water is the focus of the first set of exhibits, offering a glimpse of the water cycle, the Neuse River basin, the Falls Lake watershed and the city's reliance on Falls Lake for its supply of drinking water. The next series of exhibits offers visitors a look at many of the perils currently impacting the local environment, and highlights steps citizens can take toward its preservation. Finally, the Nature Discovery Room allows visitors an up-close look at the natural habitats found at Blue Jay Point, exploring the plants, animals and ecology of the fields, forests and streams of the park.

The Blue Jay Education Center is also the base for the park's environmental education programs. We have two indoor classrooms that are used for programs, workshops and environmental education resource professional meetings.

Gardens and Study Pond

The man-made Study Pond in the Blue Jay Garden area

This area, located next to the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education, gives visitors ideas for their own backyard wildlife habitat and native plantings. The gardens and pond area also serve as an outdoor classroom for many of our environmental education programs.

Overnight Lodge

Front boardwalk approach to the Blue Jay Overnight Lodge

Blue Jay Point's Overnight Lodge is used exclusively to turn environmental education into an extended experience. For more information on the Lodge, its amenities, requirements and reservations, please read our information on the Overnight Lodge

Hiking and Walking Trails

Colorful sign post with miles to different destinations along the Mountain-to-Sea Trail
Destinations are endless on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

There are five miles of trails within the park. For a trail map, see pages 3–4 of Blue Jay Point's Park Brochure.  Remember: ALL dogs must remain on a 6-foot leash.

Walk our Azalea Loop Trail for an interpretive experience. Available at the trail head, pick up a seasonally appropriate Interpretive Guide that corresponds with 18 numbered posts along the half-mile trail.

Hikers seeking extended trail opportunities will discover that Blue Jay's Section VI of the Falls Lake Trail connects with North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail, thus extending the hiking opportunities well beyond the boundaries of Blue Jay Point – Falls Lake Trail Map and Falls Lake Trail sections.

Mountain biking is not allowed on Blue Jay Point's trails. For mountain biking opportunities in the RTP area, please visit TriangleMTB.com.

Picnicking

Picnic table with grill in shaded picnic area
Perfect place for a picnic!

Blue Jay Point has several picnic areas with tables and grills. The tables are shaded under tree canopy and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are planning to bring a large group (30+ people) out to the park, please read our Blue Jay Big Group Trip Guidelines. Please leave personal grills at home and use ours, instead.

Playgrounds

Picnic table in foreground with playground equipment in the back.

Recently unveiled in April 2021, our new playground is sure to please kids of all ages!  Complete with age-appropriate structures for tots (ages 2–5) and kids (ages 2–12), shaded picnic tables and swings!  Nearby restroom facilities, open play fields and a paved path through the woods make this the ideal location for your next adventure!

Open Play Fields

Kids playing tag on open play field
These play fields are fun waiting to happen!

These large open areas are ideal for flying kites, throwing Frisbees and just relaxing in the sun. Remember: all dogs must remain on a 6-foot leash. If you are planning on bringing a large group (50+ people) out to the park, please read our Big Group Trip Tip Guidelines. Blue Jay Point does not offer organized sports. Please contact your local municipality's Parks and Recreation Department for information on organized sports.

Fishing Areas

Fishing pole with red and white bobber silhouetted against the lake
Relax with shoreline fishing!

The shores of Blue Jay Point provide informal bank fishing in Falls Lake. NOTE: All N.C. Inland Freshwater Fishing Regulations apply. All anglers ages 16 years and older using any type of bait or gear must possess a valid North Carolina fishing license. A fishing license may be purchased online or at a nearby bait shop. To review fishing rules and regulations, visit ncwildlife.org.

Go Ape Treetop Courses

a woman in a hot pink top crossing an elevated obstacle on a Go Ape course

Go Ape @ Blue Jay Point now has TWO Tree Top courses to meet the needs of more adventure seekers. The Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course experience provides participants ages 10 and up who are at least 55 inches tall with 2–3 hours of outdoor fun and exercise. The course allows participants to explore the park from an otherwise unobtainable vantage point while navigating through the treetops using zip lines, obstacles and Tarzan swings. It's a great outdoor activity for families, friends and groups. The Go Ape Treetop Journeys Course is the perfect introductory high-ropes course experience, focused on getting you off the ground and into the trees. Featuring 20 obstacles and two zip lines, our Journey course uses physical activity to inspire a love for the outdoors.  Participants 39 inches tall and up can enjoy a one-hour outdoor experience using an easy-to-use safety system that keeps little Tarzans and Janes safe while they focus on having fun. Grown-ups can have fun, too! Go Ape provides a portion of its proceeds and stewardship services back to the park. For information or bookings, contact Go Ape directly here or call 1-800-971-8271. To see what the fun is all about, check out this video.

Give Us Your Feedback!

If you've had the opportunity to visit Blue Jay Point County Park, we'd love to hear about your experience! Please take our online survey to provide your feedback.