Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Falls Lake State Recreation Area is the fourteenth park in our 2025 North Carolina Challenge! This one is close to home, just 15 miles from downtown durham. There are 5 access areas and 2 campgrounds with over 300 campsites to choose from. There is an entrance fee to access Falls Lake- it is $10/vehicle per day in between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In April, May and September it is $10/vehicle per day on weekends and holidays. All other times of the year there is no fee. The Visitor Center is located in the middle of the Falls Lake Access Areas- here you can grab your passport stamp and get any information you need about the lake.
The Beaverdam Access is the perfect place for kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding because no gas powered boats are allow here, so the water will always be calm and quiet. This has always been my favorite place to take Axel out paddle boarding. It’s such a large space to explore that I’ve never felt like I’m on top of anyone else on the water- most days I only see a couple other people at all. If you paddle over to the far side by the dam and there are some picnic tables that are perfect for a pitstop for lunch or just a break from paddling. This access has a swim beach as well as multiple trails to stretch your legs. Very similar to Jordan Lake, if you take a hike on one of the trails it is very easy to step off the trail and have your own private part of the lake to enjoy.
If you don’t have a paddle board, there is a company called WakeRack that rents them out near Falls Lake. I’ve used this company a couple times and Have always had a good experience. Pick up and drop off is at a set of lockers at a gas state near Falls Lake. You reserve the amount of time you need online and go to pick it up. The paddle boards are inflatable to they’ll easily fit in any car. I do recommend getting the electric pump as well- otherwise you will burn out your arm pumping up the board instead of paddling.
We also decided to go over to the Little Lick Creek Bridge which is not technically part of the Fall Lake access areas. It’s off Falls Lake, but it’s just off a small road up in durham with space for maybe about 4 cars. It’s a great place for birdwatching and hiking- this is a connection point for the Mountain-To-Sea Trail. Because this is not formally a part of Falls Lake, please be respectful of the neighbors around and please pick up after yourself and your pet.
Park Details:
ADDRESS: 13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest NC 27587
HOURS: November-February: 8am-6pm
March-April & September-October: 8am-8pm
May-August: 8am-9pm
VISITOR CENTER: Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (closed on all state holidays)
PASSPORT STAMP: Can be found at the Visitor Center
ENTRANCE FEE: $10/vehicle per day between Memorial Day and Labor Day. $10/vehicle on holiday and weekends in April, May, and September. Free all other days of the year.
TRAILS: 25 miles of hiking trails
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking, Paddling, Swimming, & Fishing
DOG RULES: Dogs are not allowed in park buildings or on swim beaches. Please pick up after your pet!
Check out our videos about this Park on instagram @axel.theadventurepup
