We kicked off a wild and water-loving adventure with our Trail Mommas crew at Harris Lake County Park, and it was everything we love about getting outside with our kiddos—mud, critters, fresh air, and a whole lot of hands-on learning.

This time, we joined the park’s Aquatic Adventures program, and let’s just say… even the grown-ups were shoulder-deep in the fun!

If you haven’t made the trip yet, Harris Lake County Park is a gem tucked just southwest of Raleigh. With hiking trails, a massive disc golf course, a fishing pond, and tons of space to roam, this spot is perfect for letting kids run free and soak up nature. It hugs the shoreline of Harris Lake and offers some amazing outdoor programming for families—like the one we experienced!

Aquatic Adventures is one of the park’s nature education programs, and it’s exactly what it sounds like—a pondside exploration full of nets, buckets, and all the squishy, wriggly things hiding below the surface. Families get to dip, scoop, and examine the fascinating critters that call this watery habitat home.

It’s messy. It’s magical. And it’s a mini science lab for curious minds adults included.

Once we got our hands wet and the discoveries started flowing:

✨ Tadpoles in all stages of change
✨ Eastern newts—from larvae to fully developed adults
✨ Water beetles, worms, dragonfly nymphs, and more
✨ Plants, algae, and all kinds of tiny aquatic ecosystems

With the help of the amazing park staff, we learned how these critters fit into the pond food chain and why they’re so important. We all left with a deeper appreciation for how wild and alive even a small pond can be.

Let’s be real—this was just as much fun for the adults as it was for the kids. Moms and dads were scooping up critters, holding slimy things, and proudly showing off their finds. I myself was the newt finder finding not one, not two, but FOUR Red Eft stage Eastern Newts and Wesson found what we believe to be a Bronzed Frog. It was an awesome reminder that play, curiosity, and discovery aren’t just for little ones.

And watching the kids light up with excitement? Pure gold. These shared moments are what Trail Mommas is all about—connecting with our kids and with nature at the same time.

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