OWASA lakes in Chapel Hill (University Lake in Carrboro and Cane Creek in Chapel Hill) will open Saturday, March 29, for the ‘25 season, offering boating, fishing, picnicking, kayak, canoe, flat bottom boat rentals.
UL is open Friday-Sunday, Cane Creek Friday-Saturday. Hours are 6:30 to 6. Opening day, Lightning Brown Day, has free admission.
They’ll continue the reservation system this season for lake boaters before 10 a.m. (visitors can pre-register Mon/Tue each week at the OWASA website). Otherwise, walkups are welcome after 10. Daily lake use fees are charged except on opening day. Orange County residents 65+ are free at all times. Lakes are open holidays like Easter, Memorial Day but closed on Good Friday.
Paddleboards, sailboards, float tubes, gas motors are not permitted because the lakes are municipal water sources. UL has a fishing dock and CC a nature trail. Visitors with disabilities can get staff assistance as needed.
Attendance last year was 6,091 for both lakes, up a little from previous year. UL had 3,356 visitors, Cane Creek 2,735. Attendance was 80 percent from Orange County at UL, 39 percent at CC.
Season passes are available including a season kayak rental pass.
