Trails
Bike trails:
CLOSED TODAY
Contact the park
919-676-1027
falls.lake@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Visitor center
13304 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
GPS: 35.735554, -79.016569
Beaverdam
14600 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
GPS: 36.036276, -78.685078
B.W. Wells campground
1630 Bent Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
GPS: 35.986138, -78.631598
Highway 50
13900 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
GPS: 36.021656, -78.690270
Holly Point campground
14424 New Light Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
GPS: 36.010031, -78.657522
Rolling View
4201 Baptist Road
Durham, NC 27703
GPS: 36.008504, -78.729136
Sandling Beach
14601 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
GPS: 36.042399, -78.698457
Shinleaf campground
13708 New Light Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
GPS: 35.993892, -78.65959
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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- Easter to Labor Day:
8:00am to 5:00pm
daily
- Labor Day to Easter:
8:00am to 5:00pm
weekdays only
closed on state holidays
Area Closures and Maintenance of Water...
Falls Lake will be maintaining its potable water systems this winter. This will affect multiple areas, with some having different operating seasons from normal and some still open but using portable toilets with no potable water available in the park. Please keep in mind that the following dates are subject to change as weather and other factors could affect when the work is started or completed. We apologize for any inconvenience.
- Beaverdam Recreation Area: January 21 through February 28 – OPEN, no potable water, portable toilets available
- Rolling View Recreation Area Family Camping: February 17 through April 1 – CLOSED, family camping available at Holly Point
- Rolling View Recreation Area Group Camping: February 17 through April 1 – CLOSED, group camping available at Shinleaf
- Rolling View Recreation Area Day-Use: February 17 through April 1 – OPEN, no potable water, portable toilets available
Park Office Repairs
Starting January 17, 2020 the Park Information Office will be undergoing some improvements to the front porch area. We ask that visitors come in through the back door during this time Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
Last updated on: Friday, January 17, 2020 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. BW Wells Group Campground closes for the winter season on December 1, 2019.
Other Falls Lake camping and day-use areas are open all winter long. 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
List of 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 hike
moderate hike
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 hike
moderate hike
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 hike
easy hike
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 hike
easy hike
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 hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
red circle
red circle
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 1, 2020 - 10:30am
Saturday, February 15, 2020 - 9:00am
Sunday, February 23, 2020 - 10:00am