Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Open
Open
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
through October 31st
About the Park
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
Operating Season and Park Hours
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 | July 1, 2024 | Sep 5, 2024 |
| 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 | July 1, 2024 | Nov 1, 2024 |
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 | |
| 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.
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photo Gallery
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