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Camper submitted image from Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation AreaView 29 Photos
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Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

6 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Shade defines the experience at Shinleaf, a state-managed campground on the shores of Falls Lake about eight miles west of Wake Forest. The campground sits off New Light Road near Highway 98, making it a straightforward drive-in for car campers and RV rigs alike. Full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections are available, and a dump station is on-site. Sites come standard with a picnic table, fire ring, and a pole for hanging gear or bear-proof garbage bags.

Site spacing is worth noting before you book. Reviewers consistently mention that brush between sites is minimal, which means neighbors are visible even when the campground is not full. The campground layout branches off a central gravel path into smaller "leaf" roads, and sites tucked onto those side roads tend to see less foot traffic from day-use hikers and trail runners who stick to the main route. A dedicated pot-wash spigot near the sites makes cleanup after cooking straightforward. Bathrooms and showers are in a bathhouse at the edge of the parking area.

Water access is a recurring draw. Several reviewers mention fishing from lakeside sites, and the campground has its own kayak and canoe launch on the eastern side of the property. Brian G. keeps it simple: "bring a fishing rod if you have a fishing license." Target species reported by campers include crappie, striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, walleye, and catfish. Hikers can reach multiple points along the lakeshore from the campground trail network. Campers wanting to compare nearby options can browse camping near Falls Lake State Recreation Area, or consider Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area about a mile north for a different site configuration.

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Holiday booking date rules are as follows: 2 nights Minimum Stay on holiday weekend (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) 2 nights Minimum Stay still apply to cabin rentals at Hanging Rock, Morrow Mountain, and Cliffs of the Neuse State Parks 1 night Minimum Stay on holiday weekend if the booking dates within 14 Days before Arrival Date Rule applies to the following holiday weekends: Memorial Day July 4th Labor Day

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Map & DirectionsShinleaf is located in North Carolina near Wake Forest

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Go directly to reserved facility location. You do not need to check in at the main park office. **Main Office** - 13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587, is located on NC 50, two miles north of NC 98. **Shinleaf** - 13708 New Light Road in Wake Forest, one and two miles north of NC 98 and one mile east of NC 50. **Holly Point** - 14424 New Light Road, in Wake Forest, one and two miles north of NC 98 and one mile east of NC 50. **Rollingview** - 4201 Baptist Road in Durham. Baptist Road is on NC 98, approximately five miles east of Durham and seven miles west of NC 50. **Beaverdam** - 14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, is located on NC 50, three miles north of NC 98. **Sandling Beach** - 14605 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, is located on NC 50, three miles north of NC 98. **B.W. Wells** - 1630 Bent Road in Wake Forest, approximately five miles east of NC 50 and three miles west of US 1/Wake Forest. From NC 98, take Stony Hill Road north and turn left on Bud Morris Road. Turn left on Bent Road and follow it to the recreation area.

Address

13304 Creedmoor Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587

Coordinates

35.993353 N
78.653836 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 8/28/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/28/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/28/26

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Presented byHershey's

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 8/28/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/28/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/28/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Drive Time

Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Shinleaf

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

83%
17%
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5.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Many campers appreciated well-maintained, shaded sites with quality facilities that exceed typical state park standards. Friendly rangers and convenient lake access were highlights, though limited privacy between sites was noted during busy periods.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Apr. 10, 2025

Shinleaf is a great, local area for camping

Whenever a few friends and I want to do a quick overnighter to hang out or test gear, we go to Shinleaf. It's in a convenient location, right off of Hwy 98 on New Light Rd. The campsites aren't very far apart from each other. But if you choose any of the campsites off of any of the "leafs" (not in the main gravel path), you will find more solitude and not have many daily walkers or trail runners coming down the leafs of the campground since they mainly stick to the main path. Every campsite here has a fire ring and picnic table for convenience, and you can bring in a few bundles of firewood or cut up some of the dead fall trees that are in your campsites general area. Shinleaf is great for the family or just a quick night or two outdoors. Oh, and bring a fishing rod if you have a fishing license. You can fish from many of the "leaf" campsite spots.

Site13
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Brian G., April 10, 2025
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Brian G., April 10, 2025
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Brian G., April 10, 2025
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2024

Small Hidden Gem in Falls Lake SRA

If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and are looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm, peace& quiet that only nature can offer, then make your way here to Shinleaf@ Falls Lake SRA. You’ll discover all of the basics are provided– from picnic table, fold-up fire ring/ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice pebble-strewn patch of well-maintained flat pitch, perfect for striking camp for the night in your tent amongst the best of what nature has to offer along with pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer North Carolina sunshine.

The only real down-side I could find to Shinleaf is that there’s not a whole lot of brush between the campsites so you will be exposed to neighboring sites, which wasn’t a problem when we visited as the place was fairly vacant, but during high season, I could see how this would be a bit of a turn-off. The on-site facilities(limited to just bathrooms& showers) are typically better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this spot gets high marks versus some others– and there’s even a designated‘pot wash’ spigot that is near the campsites making for EZ clean up after any meal. There’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time.

Insider's tips? Here's a few: (1) If you like to fish, there's tons of different varieties here to catch, including: walleye, crappie, white bass, large- and small-mouth bass, blue gill, striped bass as well as catfish; (2) There is no need to go anywhere else to look for a boat launch as Shinleaf has its very own kayak/ canoe launch that is fantastic and located on the eastern side of the property; (3) If you are looking for some really cool outdoors adventures while in these parts, check out Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park that offers treetop rope trails and adventure courses - our kiddos loved it!; (4) When you grow tired of attempting to conjure up your next meal from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler and want to try out some local fare, then I highly recommend nearby Carolina Ale House in Wake Forest or Buffalo Brothers Restaurant & Bar - both have fantastic local cuisine and nice iced area craft beers to pair with; and (5) IMHO, the best campsites here at Shinleaf are: #6, #14, #16-17; #30-33; #37-39; #40; #42-43; #45-47.

Happy Camping!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Stuart K., July 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Stuart K., July 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Stuart K., July 1, 2024
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2019

Amazing

Had a great 2 nights here ! Can’t wait to come back!

  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Brad C., September 30, 2019
Reviewed Sep. 18, 2019

Cool place to explore

We had a great weekend camping here with our cub scouts in the Shinleaf group camping area. We had about 40 people and had plenty of room to spread out over three camping sites, Osprey Nest, Blue Heron and Bootleg point. The bathrooms were within easy walking distance. Lots of shade to put tents up under. Plenty of picnic tables and fire rings. The Park Rangers came by a few times and we bought some firewood from them. They were very friendly and helpful.

The area is cool to explore, there are several points on the lake you can easily hike to. There are boaters who use the lake mostly during day, even a few at 6:30am!

We even found a cool Northern watersnake eating a fish on the shoreline.

SiteOsprey Nest
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Robert R., September 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Robert R., September 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Robert R., September 18, 2019
Reviewed Feb. 25, 2018

Nice walk up campground

Falls Lake State Recreation area is an interesting area in that it is made up of a number of non-connecting areas. The camping is at Shinleaf and is walk up only. There is a nice bathhouse at the edge of the parking lot and some of the spaces are quite close. Which is nice if you are a car camper like me and have to make a couple trips.

The camping spots are familiar (table, fire ring, and pole to hang something from). They are well kept and well spaced (at least on the 1-7 road I was on).

Definitely a thumbs up for this campground.

Site2
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area by Chip G., February 25, 2018
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between Shinleaf Campground and BW Wells Campground at Falls Lake?

Shinleaf Campground offers walk-up only camping with sites relatively close together, making it ideal for car camping. It features a bathhouse at the edge of the parking lot and provides shaded sites arranged along different 'leafs' from the main path. Shinleaf is known for its group camping areas like Osprey Nest, Blue Heron, and Bootleg Point. In contrast, BW Wells Campground typically offers a different camping experience within the Falls Lake State Recreation Area system. Falls Lake State Recreation Area is composed of several non-connecting areas, with these two campgrounds offering distinct experiences. For specific comparison details, contact the park office directly.

What facilities are available at Shinleaf group campsites in Falls Lake?

Shinleaf group campsites at Falls Lake include several areas like Osprey Nest, Blue Heron, and Bootleg Point that can accommodate large groups - one site handled about 40 people comfortably. The campsites feature clean bathhouses within easy walking distance from the camping areas. Sites offer plenty of shade for setting up tents and spreading out. The campground is conveniently located off Highway 98 on New Light Road, making it accessible for quick overnight trips. Each campsite provides a natural setting with different sites located on various 'leafs' extending from the main path.

Are there photos available of Shinleaf Campground at Falls Lake?

Yes, photos of Shinleaf Campground are available through several sources. The North Carolina State Parks official website features images of the campground and surrounding areas. The Falls Lake State Recreation Area's social media accounts often post updated photos of facilities and landscapes. Additionally, many camping apps and websites showcase user-submitted photos of Shinleaf's campsites, lake views, and trails. These images typically highlight the shaded camping areas, lake views, and natural surroundings that make Shinleaf a popular destination for escaping nearby urban areas.

How can I find a map of Shinleaf Campground at Falls Lake?

Maps of Shinleaf Campground can be obtained from the Falls Lake State Recreation Area office or visitor center upon arrival. The North Carolina State Parks website also offers downloadable maps of the recreation area, including Shinleaf Campground. Another option is to check with park rangers at the entrance station, who can provide the most current maps and information about the campground layout. The maps show the arrangement of campsites along the different 'leafs' extending from the main path.

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