Shinleaf Recreation Area

Shinleaf Recreation Area is one of several access areas that make up Falls Lake State Recreation Area. Located off of New Light Road just north of NC-98 in the northern corner of Wake County, Shinleaf has hike-in campsites and group campsites as well as hiking trails, including a section of Falls Lake Trail, part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.  Shinleaf Recreation Area is open 24 hours for registered campers and is open year round except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  No entrance fee is charged for day use but camping requires registration and payment.

Contact Information:

13708 New Light Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587

Phone: (919) 676-1027
Email: falls.lake@ncparks.gov
GPS: 35.9938,-78.6596

Directions:

Shinleaf Recreation Area is located off New Light Road north of NC-98/Durham Highway.  From I-540 in North Raleigh, take exit 9 for NC-50/Creedmoor Road and go north. In about 5 miles, go right to get on NC-98 east towards Wake Forest.  In 1.4 miles, turn left at the light onto New Light Road.  The entrance to Shinleaf will be on the right in 0.6 miles.

Map:

Click here for an interactive map of the entire state recreation area.

Trails:

Falls Lake Trail:

Length: 1.2 miles (within Shinleaf)

Blaze: White Circles

Difficulty: Moderate

Just over 1 mile of the Falls Lake Trail, part of Section 8, runs through Shinleaf Recreation Area.  All State Park regulations apply while within the park.

Shinleaf Point Trail:

Length: 1.0 miles
Blaze: None
Difficulty: Moderate

Shinleaf Point Trail is a 1 mile trail at Shinleaf Recreation Area; the hike-in campsites are all located off this trail. The trail starts behind the restrooms and follows an old road out onto the peninsula on the lake. The last campsite is about a half-mile down the trail. The peninsula is very narrow and you can see the lake on both sides of the trail. It ends at the end of the peninsula at a sandy beach.

Hikes:

Hikes in the area with detailed descriptions:

• Falls Lake Trail Section 8 Hike - A hike along the Falls Lake Trail through Shinleaf Recreation Area.

Camping:

Shinleaf has group camping and hike-in (backpack) camping.  All camping requires in the park requires a reservation.

Points of Interest:

Norwood Cemetery:

Norwood Cemetery is located along Falls Lake Trail just past the Shinleaf parking area.

External Links:

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