Lake Waccamaw State Park Reviews

What a great place. Well kept and very clean. Perfect spot for a picnic and get in touch with nature.

Beautiful visitor center and a few short walking trails. This park certainly isn't well known or publicized, but it is a great place to experience the largest 'bay lake' in the state of North Carolina. Lots of Flora and Fauna. Great place for herping!

Beautiful lake with beautiful surroundings. The most impressive thing we saw was a 40ft tall Magnolia Tree that looked like a bush! The colors and smells around the lake were wonderful to take in. There are very nice walking paths but my wife and I decided to drive around through the residential/vacation home area. The homes have lots of charm. Some are plain, some are fancy and some are a little eclectic. We stopped at a little church along the way and took some pictures. The area is very quiet, even with kids playing on the water at a summer camp.

Beautiful natural beauty. Great pier through the Swamp to the lake. The area has alligators but they don't seem to want to be in the lake. They like the canals, ditches and creeks. There lots of Great Blue herions also. It also has a museum on site with lots of exhibits as well of classes and lives animals. You can also find Venus Fly Traps and Pitcher Plants.

We stopped by here as a detour and were not disappointed. The park welcome centre is so clean and they are really friendly in there. Easy parking with quick access to the lake and some benches if you're not keen on hiking.

This is a very nice lake with a nice state park with good hiking trails. I think it is an insider tip.

Supposedly this is the only place in the world, where the venus fly trap is growing wildly. Unfortunately we didnt get to see it. We saw snakes and spiders, nice trees and the water of the lake, which is very very clear and very "rusty" cloloured. I suppose this is due to the acidity of the water.

The NC State Park system has done a great job of revamping a lot of their parks. Lake Waccamaw is no exception. Large parking areas, wide walking paths, rustic welcome center... all these factors help make this a great place to stop for a few hours while on the way to Wilmington or back to Charlotte. Plus, along the marshes, there's a strong chance you'll see crocs in their natural setting.

On the good side, the visitor center was nice with educational exhibits, and restrooms. Once you leave the visitor center, no signage to point you in the direction of the trails. Boardwalk was ok, but needs updated in some places. We went prepared with bug spray, but still was getting dive bombed by mosquitoes. Attempted to walk the Lakeshore trail, but huge mud puddle after about a mile in, that we couldn't get around. Couldn't see the lake from the part that we walked. Had to get a stick to fight through all the spider webs on the trail. Wasn't impressed!

Nice state park with primitive camping sites and 4 trails. They have picnic area with restrooms, tables and grills. There is a visitor center with rangers who can answer questions. Boating and fishing on the lake. Beautiful views - great for pictures and bird watching. (12 miles east of Whiteville and 38 miles west of Wilmington-Look for the sign off US Hwy 74) Located at 1866 State Park Drive, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450

My girlfriend and I stayed here in April we didn't even get to enjoy our time... one of the park rangers was passively being rude and racist towards me. Out of everyone staying in that park today he single me out. He told me my tags were expired on my car (when I know for sure they weren't) I felt so uncomfortable just staying there, we packed all of our belongings and left! I called park management and they told me I can file a complaint and receive a refund for my short stay...3 months later, haven't gotten any notification or my money back it's like they pushed me to the side. I love to camp and feel like this is the only spot local that I can stay at but I will not be returning. This is the second time I've camped here and had something dramatic happen, the first time a friend of mines got bit by a snake and had to be rushed to the hospital. It angers me even more that the issue was never resolved...not even an apology.

The town of Lake Waccamaw off Highway 74/76 is the polished gemstone of Columbus County N. C. Nestled at the end section of Bella Coola Road on the lake you will find the Lake Waccamaw State Park. There is a small quaint museum of artifacts found from the area including the skeleton of a whale's head of all things. The Waccamaw-Siouan Indian tribes lived here in the 1700's. The park has over 2,000 acres. There are two boardwalks including a gazebo with benches. I was married there with the beautiful lake behind us. In addition to our marriage license we obtained a park permit from the ranger's office for $35. The park ranger and office staff were very helpful. They set up mosquito repellent devices for the ceremony. This is known as a bird watchers haven. There is a lovely grove of trees with an asphalt lane for easy walking. The other end of Bella Coola Dr. turns into Lakeshore Dr. that follows the lake. Down this road is the local's well loved Dale's Seafood Restaurant overlooking the lake. Their seafood and chicken is a favorite of ours. Make sure you bring mosquito repellent & enjoy the peace & quiet of the park.

Lake Waccamaw is the largest Carolina Bay lake, located in southeastern North Carolina. The state park protects part of the lake shore. The park features hiking trails, boating opportunities and primitive camping, including a yurt campsite. The Lakeshore Trail is the longest in the park at about 4 miles from the visitor center to the dam. It's a really scenic trail with two boardwalks out on the lake and several sandy beaches to stop and enjoy the view. We took Pine Woods Trail back to see a different part of the park and hike back through a pine forest. This area of North Carolina was once a shallow sea - a whale fossil was discovered in the lake and is now on display in the visitor center.

The Lake Waccamaw State Park has a little something for almost everyone...walking trails, camping, a dock from which to go swimming, and even an on-site place where they teach you about lake-life (like alligators, snakes) . They also sale t-shirts.

We had a small group of friends go camping over the weekend and had a blast. There are only 4 camp sites at the State Park, but they are spaced so that you can't see or hear anyone from the next camp site over. They are all primitive sites but the walk to the bathrooms is only about 8 mins from the farthest camp site. There is a nice pier and pavilion that is on the lake and many trails for hiking throughout the State park. The Park Rangers/Staff there were really friendly and weren't intrusive on our camp site privacy. Each site has fire pits, grills and picnic tables. Toby the Park Ranger let us drive all our stuff to the site so we didn't have to lug it all. A great get a way for people in Wilmington since it is less than an hour away. Very beautiful scenery in a quiet setting. I'm surprised that it was so quiet, and it seems that not many people know about this little gem. If you go make sure to bring plenty of bug spray because the ticks were bad.

While exploring my new home state, I came upon Lake Waccamaw State Park on a rainy December day. Needless to say, I had the place almost to myself. Between showers, I hiked three of the trails and while it was raining I visited the Nature Center. The lake itself is a natural marvel and unique like no other in the world. The Center was basically empty but I found it to be interesting and educational. All in all, it was a pleasant surprise and a place I'm sure I'll visit again.

This is a little known park but worth the effort to get there.There are some nice walking trails near a large lake - remember to bring the bug spray. There was a parade of tractors through the streets the day I visited.

Yep this will remind one greatly of Florida, but you are still in North Carolina, I promise. Lake Waccamaw is the largest by far of the Carolina Bay Lakes and the state has created a masterpiece on the south shore. Why Florida? Wait until you drive here past the homes on the North and eastern shores, and nothing but water behind them, you'll think Florida. And yes Waccamaw is that large that civilization and a state park can co -exist in harmony around it.
On this hot day I went to hike the Lake Shore Trail a five mile one way trek to the Dam, if one could actually call it a dam. Note that it's five miles one way and the trail absolutely dead ends at the dam so there is no shortcut back. That's five more miles. But what a diverse hike this is. Starting from the visitor center which by the way has clean modern facilities and accessible pathways around and behind it, the hike starts on a long boardwalk, also accessible, to the first unobstructed view of the lake. A note DEET up before you start this hike there are lots of flies and flying critters. And no "fly " babies allowed it's part of the experience so DEET up and get out there. From here the hike starts around the lakeshore. At first you are back somewhat but can barely see the lake through the trees. Don't get discouraged you are going to see more of this great body of water in fact you are almost going to get to hike into it. At about 1 mile you will see a boardwalk come into the trail from the left. I hiked this out to the road where it crosses and continues but I turned back here knowing that I already had 10 miles ahead of me. Maybe on the way back in. At two miles you will encounter a wharf that extends out into the lake about 700 feet and surprisingly 700 feet from the shore the water is still shallow at this point. Although tea colored from the acidity of the water you can clearly see the bottom. Check back over the edge by the shore and you might see some small fish among the grasses and numerous water lilies in bloom. At the midway point of this trek you enter the primitive campgrounds. The trail appears to go through the site by the lake and it does although it looks like a dead end. I found this out on the way back in. But I wanted to check out the camping area so I went up the sand path over the bank and followed the sand path through the camping area where I saw several fine sites to tent camp. At this point follow the yellow trail blazes and we get back to the Lake Trail. Also going this way you will find a pit toilet off to the left if the urge hits you. Back on the lake trail you will enter a grassy area that may be up to knee high. On one side of you is the swamps of the lakes edge on the other the pocosin and with you on the trail, may see a snake or two. I saw what may have been an eastern Rattler and a black snake. Remember this, the snakes are as afraid of you as you may be of them. Let them pass, you are in their home they aren't in yours. They mean you no harm and will not strike at you other then in fear. On the trail you are equal adversaries, if you chase them into the brush trying to get a picture, they have the advantage so leave them alone. As you continue you enter a very swampy area wher the lake contains numerous pond cypress and other trees. The other side of the trail obviously remains swampy at time although it was dry on this day. You will also cross several small white sand beaches, more reminders of Florida, and as promised a chance to walk in the lake if you want to stop and enjoy the beach for a few minutes. Finally you come to the "dam" which is no more then a concrete slab across a low point in the bank of the lake. Below the dam is a river swamp which again this day appeared pretty much dry. On the way back in I declined to do the previous mentioned side trail because the temp was nearing 90 degrees and heavy rain was forecast later on this day so I figured I'd stop at the Wharf under the sun shade eat some lunch and get back in. After hiking I visited the visitor center and saw a great interactive exhibition of the lake area and it's geological history. Another place where the North Carolina Park System has hit it out of the park.

Visited the park today and what a surprise. The boardwalk to the lake is a beautiful walk and the lake is awesome. Very windy today so the lake had white caps. I highly recommend this State Park.

We camped here for 5 nights in Sept, 2014, in campsite 4. Check-in was easy, camp staff friendly and helpful. We were allowed to drive in to the site to unload, then had to park in the parking area the rest of the time. There is a bathroom with flushing toilets near the parking area. There is a pit toilet near camp sites 3 and 4 (quite disgusting, and this is not my first time at a rustic campground). The trails need some maintenance (there are logs down on the trail, overgrown brush, and large mud pools in spots). My husband enjoyed the fishing on the dock, and I enjoyed hanging out with him there, reading. There were lots of noises at night (wildlife :)). We enjoyed exploring the local area and were able to see alligators often.

So much to see, from wildlife to beautiful trees and flowers, to gorgeous sunsets on the lake. This is a smaller State Park, but well worth the trip. The museum is really informative, especially regarding the Native American beginnings and influence. Come and bring the kids and make a day of it!!

Clean buildings,museum area geared toward information for non locals. Hiking swimming wildlife viewing is available.