Fees/FAQs/Rules

Sunrise at Falls Lake State Recreation Area

The following Falls Lake areas and facilities are currently open as part of the state's reopening plans for modified Phase 3:

BEAVERDAM: boat ramp (non-gasoline powered boats only), hiking trails, mountain biking trails (weather dependent), restrooms, playgrounds, picnic shelters (reservations available), beaches closed
BW WELLS: group camping, bathhouse
HIGHWAY 50: boat ramp, restrooms
HOLLY POINT: family camping, boat ramp (campers only), restrooms/bathhouses, playground, beaches closed
ROLLING VIEW: family camping, boat ramp, hiking trails, restrooms/bathhouses, playground, group camping, picnic shelters (reservations available), beaches closed, community building closed
SHINLEAF: hike-in camping, hiking trails, restrooms/bathhouses, group camping

SANDLING BEACH: closed

The visitor center is open on weekdays, but hours vary, depending on staff availability. Please call the park to confirm the hours. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is required to enter the visitor center.

Day-use entrance fees are charged on weekends in September. Open areas may be operating with limited capacity and will close once capacity is reached. Cleaning bathrooms will take longer than normal due to disinfecting procedures. Trash cans will not be available at the campsites, so campers will have to take their own trash to the dumpsters.

Campers must have reservations to camp, but reservations for available campsites may be on the day of arrival up to 9 p.m. Campers may make reservations by calling toll-free 1-877-722-6762 or through our reservations website.

All swim beaches and the community building are closed. Park visitors are not allowed in closed areas.

Hikers can hike the entirety of the Falls Lake sections of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail by parking at any of the trailheads where the trail crosses a road. Please ensure that your vehicle does not block a gate or the roadway.

Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of October 3, we are following the new guidelines under modified Phase 3.

Please check with our partner agencies about the status of their access areas on Falls Lake:
US Army Corps of Engineers
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Wake County Parks
Raleigh Parks and Recreation

Last updated on: Monday, October 5, 2020

Bike trails:
OPEN TODAY

Contact the park

919-676-1027

falls.lake@ncparks.gov

Addresses

Visitor center

13304 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0116, -78.6888

Beaverdam

14600 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0362, -78.6850

B.W. Wells campground

1630 Bent Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 35.9861, -78.6315

Highway 50

13900 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0216, -78.6902

Holly Point campground

14424 New Light Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0100, -78.6575

Rolling View

4201 Baptist Road
Durham, NC 27703

GPS: 36.0085, -78.7291

Sandling Beach

14601 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0423, -78.6984

Shinleaf campground

13708 New Light Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 35.9938, -78.6595

Hours

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November to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
March to April:
8:00am to 8:00pm
May to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
September to October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
Closed Christmas Day
Not all day-use areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates.

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All campground gates have 24-hour access when the campground is operating.
Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates.
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

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September 3, 2019
to April 11, 2020:

Open Monday to Friday:
8:00am to 5:00pm

closed on state holidays

April 12, 2020 to
September 7, 2020:

Open daily:
8:00am to 5:00pm

Operating season

► 2020 Schedule

Additional information

In addition to park-specific rules, please read the systemwide Park Rules for all North Carolina State Parks.

Entrance Fees

Falls Lake State Recreation Area charges for entry in the summer months, to supplement operational costs and help maintain and improve the areas for visitors. The per-car fee is charged daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and on weekends in April, May, and September. Annual pass holders are entitled to an unlimited number of visits without paying the admission fee.

Car: $7 per day.
Senior citizen (62 or older) or military: $5 per day.
Bus or van: $20 per day.
Annual Pass: $90

You can purchase the annual pass at the park offices. The pass is also good for unlimited entry to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area and Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, and is valid anytime within the calendar year.

A $25 fee will be charged for all returned checks.

Boating

Non-motorized boats or boats with non-gasoline engines only are allowed on Beaverdam Lake.

Permits

Event permits. Some events—such as weddings, athletic contests, company parties, etc.—may require a Special Activity Permit. If you're unsure whether such a permit is necessary for your event, call the park office beforehand. You can download a Special Activity Permit application or obtain one from the park office.

Research and collection permits. A permit is required for any project involving the collection, removal or disturbance of any natural or cultural resource of any state park unit and for projects that require placing monitoring equipment in any state park unit. Learn more about research and collection permits or fill out a permit application online.