Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Hiking Trails

Open

Bike Trails

Open

Day-Use Hours

8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

through April 30th

About the Park

Map of North Carolina with a star indicating the location of Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Located in Durham and Wake counties 15 miles east of downtown Durham, Falls Lake State Recreation Area provides seven access areas to the reservoir. More than 300 campsites offer a variety of overnight experiences. Trails include a portion of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, as well as one of the premier mountain bike trail systems in the Triangle area, located at Beaverdam access. During the spring and fall, migrating monarch butterflies add to the picturesque beauty of the lake.

Not every access has all the listed facilities. Please check the General Information page to view a table of the facilities at each access.

Camping

  • Tent sites (including backpacking sites)
  • Trailer and RV sites (some with electric and water hookups)
  • Group campsites (including backpacking sites)
  • Dump stations
  • Showers
  • Firewood

Activities

  • Hiking (25 miles)
  • Biking (14 miles)
  • Paddling
  • Swimming
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking

Amenities

  • Boat ramps
  • Amphitheaters
  • Community building
  • Picnic shelters
  • Visitor center and exhibits
  • Beach accesses (lake)
  • Bathhouses

A privately owned marina next to Rolling View access offers a concession stand, marina slips and storage, and kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals.

Plan Your Visit

Tab/Accordion Items

Address

13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0116, -78.6888

Current Weather

27587 Wake Forest, NC

Address

14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0362, -78.6850

Current Weather

27587 Wake Forest, NC

Address

13900 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0216, -78.6902

Current Weather

27587 Wake Forest, NC

Address

4201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27703

GPS: 36.0085, -78.7291

Current Weather

27703 Durham, NC 

Address

14601 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0423, -76.6984

Current Weather

27587 Wake Forest, NC 

Address

13708 New Light Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 35.9938, -78.6595

Current Weather

27587 Wake Forest, NC

Address

1630 Bent Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 35.9861, -78.6315

Current Weather

27587 Wake Forest, NC

Address

14424 New Light Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

GPS: 36.0100, -78.6575

Current Weather

27587 Wake Forest, NC 

Operating Season and Park Hours

Tab/Accordion Items

Beaverdam Access

Area Opens On Closes On
Day-use area Open year-round

 

B.W. Wells Campground

Season Opens On Closes On
Spring season Mar 15, 2024 Jun 1, 2024
Fall season Aug 29, 2024 Dec 1, 2024

 

Highway 50 Access

Area/Loop/Facility Opens On Closes On
Day-use area Open year-round

 

Holly Point Campground

Loop Opens On Closes On
Loop 1 Closed for construction - Please do not enter
Loop 2 Mar 15, 2024 Dec 1, 2024
Loop 3 Mar 15, 2024 Dec 31, 2024
Loop 4 Mar 15, 2024 Nov 1, 2024
Loop 5 Closed for construction - Please do not enter

 

Rolling View Access

Area/Loop Opens On Closes On
Day-use area Open year-round
Campground Loop A Open year-round
Campground Loop B Mar 15, 2024 Dec 1, 2024
Campground Loop C Mar 15, 2024 Dec 1, 2024
Group camp Open year-round

 

Sandling Access

Area/Loop/Facility Opens On Closes On
Day-use area Apr 1, 2024 Oct 1, 2024

 

Shinleaf Access

Area/Loop/Facility Opens On Closes On
Hike-in campground Open year-round
Group campground Open year-round

Current Hours for Day-Use Areas

November: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Month Hours
January 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Not all day-use areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. 

All campground gates have 24-hour access when the campground is operating.

Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates.

Photo Gallery

Column Paragraph

Top: Fishing at the Rolling View pier, K. Bonifacio

Gallery: Sandling sunset, M. Walker  |  Bicyclist at Beaverdam, C. Peek  |  Cove at Shinleaf access, G. Orcutt  |  Fall colors at Rolling View, K. Bonifacio  |  Boat fishing in the fog at Beaverdam, D. Mumford