Falls Lake State Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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Falls Lake State Recreation Area consists of more than 5,000 acres surrounding Falls Lake, which encompasses more than 12,000 acres. Falls Lake was created in 1981 by the building of the Falls Lake Dam, which helps to control the Neuse River. Today, Falls Lake and its dam provide both flooding protection and recreational opportunities to the Raleigh-Durham area.
Nearby Cities:
Durham, NC
Raleigh, NC
Wake Forest, NC
Creedmore, NC
Spring 47-71 F
Summer 67-87 F
Fall 59-79 F
Winter 32-52 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Campground Accommodations
Rolling View Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 115 feet
Other amenities: Back-in sites, lakeside sites, boat ramp access, dump station
Holly Point Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 120 feet
Other amenities: Dump station, restrooms, showers, amphitheater, lakeside playground, proximity to the lake
Falls Lake/Holly Point Campground
Falls Lake/Holly Point Campground offers camping spots with hookups and pads with no hookups. Rates start at$15 at this campground that has a boat ramp, swimming beach, and fishing opportunities.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Beach, fishing, boat ramp
Falls Lake/Rolling View Campground
This campground has a marina and swimming beach. Your children are sure to love the playground at Falls Lake/Rolling View Campground, where rates start at about $15 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes 30 amp only
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Marina, playground, swimming beach
What to Do at
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
To learn more about the park’s attractions, you should check out the Visitor Center, which is close to State Route 50. Those searching for fishing and boating equipment should visit the Rollingview Marina, which offers various boating services. You can also take a hike on a 60-mile part of the Mountains to Sea Trail, which is a trail that stretches from Clingman’s Dome to the Outer Banks.
Falls Lake is a beautiful place to fish, boat, and swim. Additionally, multiple trails provide ample options for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching.
Inside Falls Lake State Recreation Area
It may be difficult to choose your favorite area from the seven different Falls Lake State Recreation Area sites. Six of the areas offer boat ramps or launching facilities, and you can rent various watercraft at the Rolling View access point. Anglers regularly pull bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie out of the lake. Sandling Beach, Rolling View, and Beaverdam offer sandy swimming beaches open to the public while Holly Point has a swimming beach open only to campers. Large picnic facilities are available at Sandling Beach, Rolling View, and Beaverdam that you can reserve for special events.
Fishing
Falls Lake has plenty of great docks, coves, and crannies that are ideal for fishing. If you’d rather fish on the water, you can take your non-motorized boat out on the lake to cast a line. Bass, catfish, perch, bluegills, and more are lurking just beneath the surface.
Geocaching
There are multiple caches stashed around the Falls Lake area. You can take a prize from the container and sign the logbook when you find one.
Nature Watching
Bird watching is popular at Falls Lake State Recreation Area due to the number of birds frolicking around the park’s shorelines, fields, and forests. Out of all of North Carolina’s state parks, Falls Lake has the longest bird list. Another lovely winged creature you might spot here is the monarch butterfly, which migrates through the area in the spring and fall.
Stargazing
Since Falls Lake State Recreation Area is a decent distance from big cities, you can see the night sky clearly at the park. One nice place to go stargazing is the Falls Lake Dam, about 20 minutes southeast of the Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
Flora and Fauna
Hundreds of animal species call this North Carolina state park home. Coyotes, foxes, beavers, bats, and flying squirrels are some mammals you may encounter. Amphibians and reptiles in the park include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, turtles, and snakes. Some plants that thrive in the area are river birches, mountain laurels, American beeches, and various oak trees.
Hiking
At Falls Lake State Recreation Area, you can take advantage of nearly 25 miles of trails that take you through gorgeous mountain terrain. If you want to hike on the Mountains to Sea Trail, you can walk 60 miles of it in this park.
Boating
You can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard on-site if you don’t bring your own. For a paddling adventure, consider taking your boat over to the Beaverdam Lake part of the park, which has some lovely scenic views and peaceful environments.
Swimming
Multiple designated swimming areas on Falls Lake provide ample space for enjoying the sun and sand. In addition, the water is shallow along the beach, so they are great places to take kids.
Biking
Roughly 14 miles of trails called the Beaverdam Mountain Bike Trails are open to mountain bikers. Intermediate and advanced biking trails are available. Whichever trail you choose, you’ll see Falls Lake State Recreation Area’s scenic woodlands, hills, and waterfronts.
How to Get to
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Falls Lake State Recreation Area is right off State Route 50, so it’s easy to reach. If you’re coming from Raleigh, you can take Highway 70 out of town before exiting onto State Route 50. Drive about 20 minutes north to reach the park. If you’re coming from Durham, get on Interstate 85 and drive about a dozen minutes to Exit 186B. Take the exit to Highway 15, then turn left onto Will Suitt Road and turn left onto Old Weaver Trail at its T. Turn right onto State Route 50 and drive about five minutes south to the park’s entrance.
Entering Falls Lake State Recreation Area
You’ll have to pay a $7 entry fee (or $5 if you’re military or a senior) per car from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends in April, May, and September.
Most of the park’s recreation areas have spacious parking areas close by. Other small parking areas are spread throughout the park, so you’ll have no problem finding a place to park near various park attractions.
The hardest part of visiting the Falls Lake State Recreation Area may be deciding which part of the park meets your needs the best. If you have visited this park, especially different areas of it, then share your opinion on your social media account. Tag RVshare.com in your comments because we want to see what you have to say. You can also send your stories and photos by emailing them to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Since most of this park’s biggest draws center around Falls Lake, summer is the most popular time to visit. If you want to see some spectacular fall colors, consider visiting during autumn instead.
This state park serves as a temporary home for migrating warblers, parulas, bald eagles, and vireos. Other animals you might encounter in the park include foxes, turkeys, deer, and raccoons.
Of the more than 300 campsites at Falls Lake State Recreation area, 169 of them feature RV hookups. Many can also accommodate big rigs, and each has a fire ring, a picnic table, and nearby bathrooms.
You do not have to make a reservation at this state park. If you choose to do so, the reservation fee is $3, and the cancellation fee is $6. Regular RV campsites cost $26 per night, while sites with water and electric hookups cost $33.
You can bring your pet to this state park as long as you keep it leashed and under your control. Pets aren’t allowed in the buildings or swimming areas.