COVID-19 information for parks under phase 3
Posted on: Monday, October 5, 2020 - 2:12pm |
History
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
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
History highlights
Prior to 1978, flooding of the Neuse River caused extensive damage to public and private properties including roadways, railroads, industrial sites and farmlands. The Falls Lake Project was developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to control damaging floods and to supply a source of water for surrounding communities. Construction of the dam began in 1978 and was completed in 1981. In addition to recreation opportunities, Falls Lake now provides flood and water-quality control, water supply, and fish and wildlife conservation.
Mitchell Mill State Natural Area
Remnants of Mitchell Mill at Mitchell Mill State Natural Area. Photo by J. Brown.
Mitchell Mill State Natural Area is a 105-acre tract that protects granitic flatrock outcrops and a fragile and rare ecosystem.
Read about the cultural history of this area by downloading the research paper below:
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Mitchell Mill State Natural Area:
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