For years, Lake Benson has been my go to for outdoor activities. Walking the paved loop is about a mile (small dirt trail goes past lake and detours off path)and you can cross Benson Road into White Deer park to easily get 3 miles. They also have a boat house with limited hours but the prices for renting kayaks, canoes and Jon Boats is minimal... $10 for two hours kayaking if you are a garner resident read more

See all

This is the place to go in Garner for your July 4th fireworks! You can rent a paddle boat during the day, walk the perimeter, have a picnic or play flag football on the gigantic fields. This park had bathroom facilities, dog parks and a playground. Police frequently patrol and keep the park safe for families. Don't miss the US War memorials! Such history at your finger tips. read more

Beautiful, spacious park in Garner! I visited Lake Benson Park mainly because I heard about the dog park. I stopped by on a Thursday night and the park was packed. Lots of kids on the playgrounds, people walking on the paths, and dogs in the dog park. I enjoy seeing parks full of people enjoying the outdoors. Pros: -Large dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs -Dog park is free for anyone to use (no pass required) -Clean park -Ample parking in lots or along the road -Beautiful, respectful veterans' memorial -Labelled areas and trails -Ample areas to sit -Multiple playgrounds and shelters Cons: -Dog park is open to anyone so the dogs may not be fixed, vaccinated, or well-trained -Most of the driving paths are not paved. This kicks up a lot of dust -Lots of bird poop on signs and benches. It's an outdoor park so this is understandable. Bring a towel if you plan to use the benches read more

See all

I've been coming here since I was a kid. The park has changed a lot but the trail and the giant field not so much. I love coming for early morning hot girl walks. It's a mile all the way around. The trail is open and really beautiful in the spring time. The events held here are great too, I will always come to this park. There is also part of the trail that goes across the street to White Deer with a cross walk! read more

Great place to take your dogs to mingle and socialize also. I have been here a few times and always a good experience. I usually also take her for a walk after or before to go on a trail hike around here because it is just nice. The restrooms are close and usually clean which is always a plus! read more

Lake Benson Park - Parks Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

This is a great little park. It's got a little for everyone. The walking path actually crosses over into the neighboring park. They have a huge playground for families. I wish more of the walking trails were shaded though. read more

Always clean and well taken care of. Friendly folks. Great amenities. Dog parks are a saving grace and everyone does a great job of managing their pups read more

Our family decided to go to Lake Benson Park after seeing an event online for movies in the park. It's a little ways from our home but we wanted to see the movie Wonder because we hadn't seen it. They also had an option for you to camp out if you wanted to for a small fee. When we first arrived there were signs that guided you to parking. The had a huge grassy area where the cars could park. We were able to snag a spot near the front and the park wasn't that full so that's a good thing. Where they were playing the movie it's a huge open field. The children gave access to the park as well as the restrooms. I'm unsure what the bathrooms were like because I didn't use them. They had a candy truck out there and the guy had a great variety of candy. The movie was easy to see the sound was great. I would recommend bringing blankets, chairs & snacks. Also, be sure to pack bug spray. Overall fun time and I would definitely do it again. read more

Lake Benson Park - Parks Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

Very nice and clean family and dog-friendly Park in Garner. The park offers a good size amount of parking and a few trails. The highlight of the park for me is the lake where you can watch the sunset without being disturbed and just relax. There are a few benches benches by the lake where you can sit. read more

See all

We came here for the Fourth of July concert and fireworks display. It was actually celebrated on Sunday, July 3. We got there an hour early and there were several volunteers directing traffic for parking. The park also had a nice line of Porta potty's that were very clean. There were a number of food vendors and some games for the kids. We sat pretty close to the North Carolina Symphony orchestra and they performed for about an hour. Before that, there was a live group on another stage performing. We then turned around to see the huge fireworks display. It was a perfect evening for it, and the music was very patriotic and appropriate. Everything seemed to be very well organized. Will definitely be back again. We did not get a chance to see the rest of the park but the grass was very well-maintained and it had a very clean feel to it. read more

Lake Benson Park - NC symphony orchestra - Parks Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

It's a park, it's wide open with some pavilions and other buildings. Walking trails, small playground and a pond. I think the folks who plan the pavilion rentals need to work on discussing with potential users how not to show up an hour before their scheduled time and intimidate the current users by setting up their gear/belongings alongside the pavilion and stand around and stare (or is it glare) at the current group, (who have rented the pavilion for a specific period of time) arms crossed and foul faced as if they were expecting the place to be empty upon an hour early arrival. read more

Lake Benson is always a great park to visit. They have a memorial park, playground for kids, hiking trails and a large open area for picnics and running around in. The grounds are always well kept. The town of Garner holds events there during the year that brings a lot of people there to celebrate and have a good time. read more

Lake Benson Park - Parks Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

This park along with the adjacent White Deer Park are two great city parks. There are very nice playground areas and picnic shelters. There are charcoal grills available for your use and nice restrooms. The park has several great walking trails through the woods and along the lake. The lake allows for non motorized boating but no swimming. I have attended the 4th of July celebration for the last 18 years. It is actually held on the 3rd of July and always features the NC Symphony and is a great family event. The symphony usually plays around 8:30 and the fireworks begin around 9:45 but there are vendors and food trucks available at 5:00 pm. Be aware that the streets are closed at specific times and traffic can be heavy. The parks also host various other events throughout the year but the 4th of July is best attended. read more

Not a great park to go to unless you bring your own fun. Great on the open space though so fantastic if you want the kids to run and play. The playground was fun but short lived for our crew. They got more fun out of the dog playing in the water and the open fields. There isn't much lake access as previously noted but what little there is has a bench to sit at and my dog loves it as there is enough room for her to run and play in the water. Great place if you have a big group that wants to cook out and play some volleyball or such. read more

See all

This park is a Garner staple. They hold their annual 3rd of July fireworks celebration there as well as the Relay for Life and various other smaller events. It's a great park with lots of open grassy space. I enjoy going on runs here because the loop around the park is all open air (i.e. not wooded) so I feel safe running alone. Moreover, the loop is paved and relatively flat for most parts. Also, White Deer Park is across the street so runners can access both parks on one run. I tend to stick to Benson Park because it's less wooded. There are two playgrounds. The big one is new, modern and really cool. Very kid-friendly park. (Also dog-friendly.) So far as the lake.... It's pretty to look at, but you're not allowed to do anything on it. No swimming, no boats, no fun. The lake is just an accessory to the park. Anyway, great park, just not a great lake. And it's in a nice/safe area of town. read more

Was in town visiting and looking for a place to run. Find this on All Trails app, I'm glad I did. This park is very nice and clean with trails, dog park, playgrounds, open fields and a beautiful lake. A great place to get out and enjoy the outdoors young or old. read more

Celebrated the 4th of July Fireworks display (apparently the largest/longest in NC) and took in the live entertainment and food vendors as well. The venue was well prepared for and parking for some 18,000 people was well orchestrated. The highlight was a performance by the NC State Orchestra. Wonderful performance under clear skies. Will have to come back and visit this park and its other amenities. Family had a swell time. read more

A great place to hang out, bbq and just take nice walks​. They even have a nice dawg area. Plenty of folks walk here to breath fresh air and see the outdoors​​. read more

Yesterday we traveled to the Raleigh area to spend the day with my stepdaughter. The weather was dreary but fairly warm. We wanted to spend some time with her but also get some fresh air. We remembered that this park has a picnic pavilion with a fireplace. Since it was New Year's Day we rolled the dice that the picnic shelter was not reserved and it was a correct assumption. We stopped at a nearby store, purchased a bundle of firewood and a newspaper, and built a wonderful fire. This gave me and my husband a good afternoon of quality time around the fire. The park is beautiful and has hiking trails which I will definitely check out on a non-rainy day. Thank you to Town of Garner, what a great place! read more

This is the park where the town of Garner holds its big Fourth of July evening. It's great for hosting big events like that, as there is a huge amount of open space. That said, it is a little disappointing as a park if you want to get away from it all. There is one small trail, but it's not very exciting, and there doesn't seem to be much lake access, or places to sit by the lake (unless I just missed them). This is a great place to have a group picnic or if your kids need a lot of room to run around or play soccer. read more

Beautiful lake with lots of trails. One spot you can get really close to the water. Playground is nice too. It's well taken care of and equipment looks good. The whole playground is covered with tarps which is nice. Lots of places to sit for a picnic. read more

Great Park for walking and running. I like to walk the small wooded trails and I have always felt safe when walking them. read more

Lake Benson Park - Parks Near Me - Garner, North Carolina

See all

Unbeatable. This park is an absolute delight, a real haven. Beautiful and well-maintained. It's never been overcrowded when I've gone. Plenty of open field space for picnics. Plenty of space for kids to have a blast. read more

This is a wonderful park with large open fields. You are now allowed to fly electric powered planes, drones for over 2 yrs. I fly here often and have met other flyers here also. Just need to stay clear of where some folks maybe playing ball, flying kites, etc. read more