State Recreation Area

Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Wake County, North CarolinaAbout 5,035 acresEstablished 1981
Status
Status not posted
Entrance fee
See fee details
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Dogs allowed6-ft leash
Camping
Yes
Official site
ncparks.gov(984) 867-8000

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

Covering about 5,035 acres, Falls Lake State Recreation Area lies in Wake County, about 8 miles south of Creedmoor.

The park supports canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, biking, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: 3 camping areas, including RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
Other — JanuaryDaily8 a.m. – 6 p.m.—
Other — MarchDaily8 a.m. – 8 p.m.—
Other — MayDaily8 a.m. – 9 p.m.—
Day useNot all day-use areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
CampgroundHours for Campgrounds: All campground gates have 24-hour access when the campground is operating. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. Campgrounds are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Campgrounds open during all other holidays.
Visitor centerMon–Fri8 a.m. – 5 p.m.—
Official wording

Operating Season Schedule 2026

Area: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: swim beach, boat ramp (non-gas only) and picnic shelters #21-24: Open year-round Day-use area: picnic shelters #25-29: Shelters #25 - #29 closed for 2026

Season: Opens On: Closes On: Spring season: March 14, 2026: May 1, 2026 (For Construction) Fall season: August 29, 2026: December 1, 2026 Highway 50 Access

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

Loop: Opens On: Closes On: Loop 1: Closed for Construction Loop 2: November 16, 2026: December 1, 2026 Loop 3: November 16, 2026 Loop 4: November 16, 2026: December 1, 2026 Loop 5: Closed for Construction

Area/Loop: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: swim beach, boat ramp, and picnic shelters #12-15: Open year-round Campground Loop A: Open year-round Campground Loop B: June 1, 2026: December 1, 2026 Campground Loop C: June 1, 2026: December 1, 2026 Group camp: Open year-round

Area/Loop/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: swim beach and picnic shelters #1-7: April 1, 2026: October 1, 2026

Area/Loop/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Hike-in campground: Open year-round Group campground: Open year-round All park facilities are closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.

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. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.

Hours for Campgrounds: All campground gates have 24-hour access when the campground is operating. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. Campgrounds are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Campgrounds open during all other holidays.

Hours for Visitor Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The visitor center is closed on all state holidays. The full list of state holidays is available on the N.C. Office of State Human Resources website.

Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The visitor center is closed on all state holidays. The full list of state holidays is available on the N.C. Office of State Human Resources website.

All campground gates have 24-hour access when the campground is operating. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. Campgrounds are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Campgrounds open during all other holidays.

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).

Fees and passes

ItemAmount
The park isFree · day
Official wording

Entrance fees are charged per vehicle on weekends and holidays in April, May, and September, and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The park is free to access for day use during the rest of the year. Fees are also charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

North Carolina park passes

  • Annual Pass for Reservoirs — $70 Details
  • Annual Pass — $100 Details
  • Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access — $200. Annual Pass benefits plus four-wheel-drive beach access Details

From the North Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
ReserveAmerica (northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
Phone
1-877-722-6762

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet

Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
Tent, Trailer and RV Camping
With more than 300 campsites, pitch your tent or park your RV at Falls Lake. Many sites offer water and electric hookups. Bathhouses are centrally located in each camping loop. All campsites include a picnic table, outdoor grill, and a lantern hook on the tent pad. Each site accommodates up to 6 people. Holly Point offers 158 campsites total, 89 with water and 50/30-amp electric hookups. Rolling View offers 115 campsites total, 80 with water and 50/30-amp electric hookups. Both Holly Point and Rolling View have a dump station.
——
Backpack Camping
For people who desire a more primitive camping experience, Shinleaf offers tent camping in 46 hike-in sites. Each site includes a picnic table, outdoor grill, and a lantern hook on the tent pad. Each site accommodates up to 6 people. A bathhouse is available for hike-in campers.
——
Group Camping
Larger sites are available for group camping at Rolling View, Shinleaf, and B.W Wells. Group camping is available by advance reservation only and is for tents only — no RVs or trailers allowed. Each site accommodates up to 35 people. Rolling View has four group campsites that are hike-in only, and water is available on each site. B.W. Wells has 11 group campsites that are hike-in only, and water is available on each site. Shinleaf has nine group campsites that are drive-up, and water is located nearby. All campsites have picnic tables, benches, grills, and a campfire ring. Bathhouses are…
——
Camping details from the park

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 Tent, Trailer and RV Camping With more than 300 campsites, pitch your tent or park your RV at Falls Lake. Many sites offer water and electric hookups. Bathhouses are centrally located in each camping loop. All campsites include a picnic table, outdoor grill, and a lantern hook on the tent pad. Each site accommodates up to 6 people. Holly Point offers 158 campsites total, 89 with water and 50/30-amp electric hookups. Rolling View offers 115 campsites total, 80 with water and 50/30-amp electric hookups. Both Holly Point and Rolling View have a dump station. Book now Backpack Camping For people who desire a more primitive camping experience, Shinleaf offers tent camping in 46 hike-in sites. Each site includes a picnic table, outdoor grill, and a lantern hook on the tent pad. Each site accommodates up to 6 people. A bathhouse is available for hike-in campers. Book now Group Camping Larger sites are available for group camping at Rolling View, Shinleaf, and B.W Wells. Group camping is available by advance reservation only and is for tents only — no RVs or trailers allowed. Each site accommodates up to 35 people. Rolling View has four group campsites that are hike-in only, and water is available on each site. B.W. Wells has 11 group campsites that are hike-in only, and water is available on each site. Shinleaf has nine group campsites that are drive-up, and water is located nearby. All campsites have picnic tables, benches, grills, and a campfire ring. Bathhouses are centrally located. Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites Please note that group camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees. Book now

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Things to do

HikingBikingCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingFishingPicnickingBoatingCamping

Trails

TrailLengthDifficultyNotes
Duck Cove / Beaverdam K.I.P. Track Trail0.6 miEasy0.6-mile one way; Blaze: orange circlesHiking only
Fox Trot Trail1.5 miEasy1.5-mile loop; Blaze: yellow diamondsHiking only
Rolling View K.I.P. Track Trail0.75 miEasy0.75-mile loop; Blaze: blue circlesHiking only
Rolling View Trail2 miEasy2-mile one way; Blaze: blue, orange, or red diamondsHiking only
Woodland Nature Trail0.75 miModerate0.75-mile loop; Blaze: orange circlesHiking only
Sandling Beach Lake Trail1.5 miEasy1.5-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamondsHiking only
Shinleaf Point Trail1 miModerate1-mile one way; Blaze: noneHiking only
B.W. Wells Long Loop Trail (campers only)1.4 miModerate1.4-mile loop; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only
B.W. Wells Short Loop Trail (campers only)0.8 miModerate0.8-mile loop; Blaze: blue diamondsHiking only
Holly Point Trail (campers only)1.1 miModerate1.1-mile one way; Blaze: red circlesHiking only
Drop Zone Mountain Bike Trail0.9 miAdvanced biking0.9-mile one way; Blaze: orange circlesBikingHiking
Inner Loop Mountain Bike Trail1.1 miIntermediate biking1.1-mile loop; Blaze: yellow circlesBikingHiking
Outer Loop Mountain Bike Trail2.2 miIntermediate biking2.2-mile loop; Blaze: green circlesBikingHiking
South Loop Mountain Bike Trail7.3 miAdvanced biking7.3-mile loop; Blaze: blue circlesBikingHiking
West Loop Mountain Bike Trail2.3 miIntermediate biking2.3-mile loop; Blaze: red circlesBikingHiking
Trail descriptions from the park

Hiking Trails: Open Bike Trails: Open Duck Cove / Beaverdam K.I.P. Track Trail (0.6-mile one way; Blaze: orange circles), Easy, Hiking only Fox Trot Trail (1.5-mile loop; Blaze: yellow diamonds), Easy, Hiking only Rolling View K.I.P. Track Trail (0.75-mile loop; Blaze: blue circles), Easy, Hiking only Rolling View Trail (2-mile one way; Blaze: blue, orange, or red diamonds), Easy, Hiking only Woodland Nature Trail (0.75-mile loop; Blaze: orange circles), Moderate, Hiking only Sandling Beach Lake Trail (1.5-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamonds), Easy, Hiking only Shinleaf Point Trail (1-mile one way; Blaze: none), Moderate, Hiking only B.W. Wells Long Loop Trail (campers only) (1.4-mile loop; Blaze: red diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only B.W. Wells Short Loop Trail (campers only) (0.8-mile loop; Blaze: blue diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only Holly Point Trail (campers only) (1.1-mile one way; Blaze: red circles), Moderate, Hiking only Drop Zone Mountain Bike Trail (0.9-mile one way; Blaze: orange circles), Advanced biking, Biking/Hiking Inner Loop Mountain Bike Trail (1.1-mile loop; Blaze: yellow circles), Intermediate biking, Biking/Hiking Outer Loop Mountain Bike Trail (2.2-mile loop; Blaze: green circles), Intermediate biking, Biking/Hiking South Loop Mountain Bike Trail (7.3-mile loop; Blaze: blue circles), Advanced biking, Biking/Hiking West Loop Mountain Bike Trail (2.3-mile loop; Blaze: red circles), Intermediate biking, Biking/Hiking

Swimming

Swimming

Boating and paddling

Paddling

Fishing

Fishing

A state fishing license is usually required.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Picnic areas
  • Picnic shelters
  • Visitor center
  • Nature center or museum
  • Amphitheater
  • Group facilities

Water

  • Swimming beach
  • Boat ramp

Camping

  • Tent camping
  • RV camping
  • Primitive or backcountry camping
  • Group camping

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Getting there

Address
1630 Bent Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Nearest town
Creedmoor — about 8 mi south (straight line)
Coordinates
36.0116, -78.6888
Phone
(984) 867-8000
Email
falls.lake@ncparks.gov

Entrances

  • Visitor Center — 13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
  • Beaverdam Access — 14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
  • Highway 50 Access — 13900 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
  • Rolling View Access — 4201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27703
  • Sandling Access — 14601 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
  • Shinleaf Access — 13708 New Light Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
  • B.W. Wells Campground — 1630 Bent Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
  • Holly Point Campground — 14424 New Light Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Google Maps directionsApple Maps

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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