By:
Submission
Lake Waccamaw State Park is located in Columbus County, 38 miles west of Wilmington and 12 miles east of Whiteville. From US 74, follow park signs. Take Old Lake Road south for .5 miles. Turn left on NC 214 for approximately 1 mile. Turn right on Jefferson Road and follow this road for 1 mile until the lake is in sight. Take a left on Bella Coola Road, following this road for 3 miles where you'll enter the park gate on the left.
Took a trip to Lake Waccamaw with the family today. Hiked a total of 4 miles.
Very clean park facilities and we were able to pick up our state park passports!
Wonderful, very large lake. Visitor center at the State Park is great with a helpful staff. The 2 mile lake trail is an easy jaunt through the woods to a large pier. Just really nice!
Great hike in Jan. 2024. Took the Lake Trail toward the dam & looped by the pier back to the visitor's center. Total about 4 1/2 Mike's. The staff was super friendly & welcoming. This would be a great place to camp & canoe in Jan. before it gets hot & buggy. Lots of local history & lore.
May be the best maintained and most scenic state park in the Southeast. It made for a great place to work, too.
Note that the water is crystal clear so it shows the color of the sand perfectly. That part of the lake is shallow enough to wade out of substantial distance.
Be sure to stop by the Ranger Station to see the skull of a whale found in the lake. It is 1.75 million years old and the only one found inland on the East Coast.
