Falls Lake is a man-made lake straddling 3 counties and providing abundant recreational options including swimming, boating, fishing, and camping. However, the more than 60 miles of hiking trails are what brings me here. The trails around Falls Lake are, by far, my most favorite in central NC.
At the Falls Lake Dam off Falls of Neuse Road, northeast of Raleigh heading toward Wake Forest, both paved and wooded trails hug the shoreline. Blue and white blazes mark the easy-to-moderate trails, with the blue being the longer hike that leads to the neighboring Raven Ridge access. It is also a part of the state’s Mountains-to-Sea trail, a phenomenal continuous 1000 mile hike connecting the Great Smokies to Cape Hatteras. That’s bucket list material there!
There is abundant wildlife to spot here, from deer to a bald eagle or two. Fishing by both humans and herons is common below the dam. There is also a playground, picnic area, restrooms, boat and paddle access, even an old cemetery and open bench outdoor chapel at Falls Dam. To be so close to busy traffic, the sounds of nature are not drowned out. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t find myself here, restoring my body, mind, and spirit.
One OAK Place 