Sandling Beach Day Use Area

Sandling Beach Day Use Area is one of several access areas that make up Falls Lake State Recreation Area.  Located north of the visitor center off Creedmoor Road/NC-50 in the northern corner of Wake County, Sandling Beach features picnic areas and shelters, hiking trails, and a swim beach.  As a day use area, there is no camping, and it is only open during the warmer months, generally April through September.  An entrance fee is charged daily in the summer and on weekends in the shoulder season.

Contact Information:

14601 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

Phone: (919) 867-8000
Email: falls.lake@ncparks.gov
GPS: 36.0424, -78.6983

Directions:

Sandling Beach Day Use Area is located off NC-50 a couple miles north of the Visitor Center. From I-540 in North Raleigh, take exit 9 for NC-50/Creedmoor Road and go north. Drive about 9 miles, passing the Visitor Center and crossing over the lake.  Sandling Beach will be on the left, directly across from Beaverdam Lake Day Use Area.

Trails:

Sandling Beach Lake Trail:

Length: 1.5 miles

Blaze: Blue Diamond

Difficulty: Easy

Sandling Beach Trail follows along the shoreline, connecting the picnic shelters with the swim beach.

Woodland Nature Trail:

Length: 0.75 miles

Blaze: Orange Circle

Difficulty: Moderate

Woodland Nature Trail starts across the street from Picnic Shelter 1 and makes a loop through the forest.  About half-way through the loop, a short spur leads to the "jail cell" trees.

Wildlife:

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

External Links:

NC State Parks website for Falls Lake State Recreation Area: https://www.ncparks.gov/falls-lake-state-recreation-area/home