Falls Lake State Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Falls Lake State Recreation Area |
|
|---|---|
Boating access at Falls Lake
|
|
 Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Location in North Carolina
|
|
| Location | North Carolina, United States |
| Area | 5,035 acres (20.38 km2) |
| Established | 1981 |
| Named for | Falls Lake |
| Governing body | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Falls Lake State Recreation Area |
Falls Lake State Recreation Area is a cool state park in North Carolina, United States. It's located in Durham and Wake Counties, near Wake Forest, North Carolina. This park covers about 5,035 acres (20.38 km2) along the shores of Falls Lake, which is a huge lake covering 12,410 acres (50.2 km2).
Contents
History of Falls Lake
Before 1978, the Neuse River often flooded. These floods caused a lot of damage to roads, farms, and buildings. To stop this, the US Army Corps of Engineers started a big project.
Building the Dam
Construction of the dam for Falls Lake began in 1978. It was finished in 1981. Now, Falls Lake helps control floods and keeps the water clean. It also provides water for people and helps protect fish and other wildlife.
Historic Places in the Park
In 1992, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation took over the James Mangum House. This house is part of the Beaverdam Recreation Area within the park. Rock Cliff Farm is another historic place in the park. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Hiking Adventures
If you love to hike, Falls Lake has some awesome trails! The hiking trails on the south side of the lake are part of the famous Mountains-to-Sea Trail. This trail stretches a very long way across North Carolina.
Explore the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail goes all the way from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains. It ends at Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Camping Along the Trails
You can camp along the Falls Lake part of the trail. Camping is available at Shinleaf Recreation Area in Wake County. You can also camp at Rolling View Recreation Area in Durham County. The trails are usually easy to walk, but some parts have steep hills.
Mountain Biking Fun
Ready for a bike ride? The Beaver Dam bike trails at Falls Lake are perfect for mountain biking. They have trails for everyone, from beginners to more experienced riders.
Accessing Bike Trails
You can find the start of these bike trails inside the park. Just go to the Beaverdam Recreation Area entrance. The trails are rated from easy to intermediate, so you can pick one that fits your skill level.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Launching a kayak or canoe at Falls Lake opens up endless possibilities. There are many miles of water to explore! You can paddle to different campsites or swimming areas.
What You Might See
You might even spot some amazing wildlife! Look out for catfish, turtles, deer, and osprey. It's a great way to get close to nature.
Safety on the Water
Be careful on busy holidays like Memorial Day. The lake can get crowded with water skiers and jet skis. For a calmer experience, try the Beaver Dam Lake boat launch. It's just north of the Highway 50 boat launch. Motorboats are not allowed there, which makes it safer for new paddlers. It also has a beach where you can swim. You can even paddle from Beaver Dam Lake into Falls Lake. Remember, there are fees to use the boat ramps in the summer.
Falls Lake in Books
Falls Lake is so well-known that it even appears in a book! It is one of the places mentioned in the spy thriller novel Crisis Four. This book was written by Andy McNab.
