Trails
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, October 19, 2019 - 6:00pm
Sunday, October 27, 2019 - 2:30pm
Seasonal Recreation Area Closures
Sandling Beach day-use area closes for the winter season on October 1, 2019. Holly Point campground closes for the winter season on November 1, 2019.
For a full list, see the Falls Lake Operating Season Schedule:
https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/falls-lake-state-recreation-area-2019-operating-season-schedule.pdf
Trails
Mountain Biking
Enjoy riding your mountain bike through Falls Lake State Recreation Area! A total of 14.3 miles of trails through a variety of terrain are open for single-track mountain biking. Located in the Beaverdam area, the park offers three loop trails totaling a distance of 6.5 miles of easy/intermediate riding, as well as a 6.5-mile trail for advanced riding.
The trails close for wet weather. Call the park office or visit Triangle Mountain Biking to check on the trail's status.
Hiking
The Falls Lake Trail follows the entire south shore of the lake, traveling over 50 miles and following the white blazes from the shore of the Neuse River below the Falls Lake Dam all the way to the Eno River and beyond. A portion of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, the trail connects many recreational areas and provides camping stops for backpackers at Shinleaf and Rolling View. Portions of the trail travel through state parkland, where all state park regulations apply. The remainder of the trail travels through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission game lands. For your safety, wear blaze orange while hiking this trail during hunting season. The Falls Lake Trail can be easily accessed at the Falls Lake Dam information center, Blue Jay Point County Park, Shinleaf access, the Falls Lake park office and Rolling View access. Learn more about the MST at the North Carolina Trails website.
Other hiking opportunities are available in Beaverdam, Sandling Beach, Rolling View and Shinleaf recreation areas. There are also trails available for campers only at Holly Point and B.W. Wells campgrounds.
B.W. Wells Long Loop Trail (campers only)
Location: B.W. Wells access
Description:
This trail is an extension of the B.W. Wells Short Loop Trail for those desiring a longer hike. Notice the foundations of old home sites that are still visible.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
1.40 miles
loop
1.40 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
red diamond
red diamond
B.W. Wells Short Loop Trail (campers only)
Location: B.W. Wells access
Description:
This loop trail connects group campsites from one end of the campground to the other. Enjoy lake views as this trail winds along parts of the shoreline – watch for osprey or bald eagles!
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.80 miles
loop
0.80 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
blue diamond
blue diamond
Beaverdam TRACK Trail – Duck Cove Trail
Location: Beaverdam access
Description:
The Beaverdam TRACK Trail is a 0.6-mile hike one way (1.2 miles round trip). Enjoy a hike through through a mixed pine forest along the edge of Beaverdam Lake that leads to a wildlife observation platform overlooking Duck Cove.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.60 miles
one way
0.60 miles
one way
Difficulty:
easy
easy
Blaze:
orange circle
orange circle
Fox Trot Trail
Location: Beaverdam access
Description:
Hike through pine and upland oak-hickory forests that have been periodically burned with prescribed fire. If you hike quietly, you may see a white-tailed deer or grey fox!
Surface: natural surface
Length:
1.50 miles
loop
1.50 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy
easy
Blaze:
orange circle
orange circle
Holly Point Trail (campers only)
Location: Holly Point access
Description:
This trail runs between the Holly Point boat ramp and campground loop 2, but parking is only available at the boat ramp. This trail is for registered overnight campers and their guests only. This trail travels from the campsites in loop 2 through pine and upland hardwood forests; goes past loops 3, 4, and 5; and the amphitheater to the boat ramp parking lot.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
1.10 miles
one way
1.10 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
red circle
red circle
Bike trails:
CLOSED TODAY
13304 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919-676-1027
falls.lake@ncparks.gov
*HOURS FOR DAY-USE AREAS:
- 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
*HOURS FOR CAMPGROUND GATES:
All campgrounds at Falls Lake State Recreation Area offer 24-hour access when the campground is operating.
Campgrounds closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
*PLEASE NOTE: Day-use hours and 24-hour campground access are dependent on the operating season schedule.
PARK OFFICE HOURS:
8:00am to 5:00pm daily**
**Between Labor Day and Easter, office is closed on weekends and state holidays.