Waccamaw Lake

Down about 40 miles west of Wilmington, N.C., just off highway 74, the road signs will lead you directly to Waccamaw State Park. Here you can visit and fish in the cool waters of Lake Waccamaw, one of the world’s most unique resources for rare plants and endangered animals. For anglers, one of the public boat ramps is on the right hand side, approximately 3.5 miles down after you turn left off of 74.

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 Natural Phenomenon and Anomalous Landforms

The strange teardrop shape of Lake Waccamaw reflects the controversial mystery that surrounds the Carolina bays. Throughout the region, the consistent oval shape of the vernal pools, sometimes called ephemeral pools, stirs the imagination of observers. There is something about the vast range of distribution that titillates the mind. The arguments for explanations range from suggestions concerning impacts by extraterrestrial objects to local terrestrial ejections lofted from the source of a single distant extraterrestrial impact site. Additional explanations include:

• Local wind velocity
• Spring basins
• Eolian blowouts
• Various applications of sandbars and submarine eddies, currents, and drowned valleys.
• More.

 Limestone Bluffs, Sandy Shores, and Camping

 From a range of limestone bluffs that neutralize Lake Waccamaw’s beautiful tea-toned water to the sandy shorelines that lie between the tree-lined natural areas, the lake offers extraordinary sun time for all visitors.

Campers enjoy the natural environment of rare plants and endangered animal species. Four primitive camping areas enable campers to experience a personal sense of isolation. Although picnic tables, pit toilets, and fire circles are nearby, the camping is really made to order for the outdoor lover. The camper must pack in all supplies, including drinking water.

Hiking

 The Waccamaw River is the core of the five-mile long Lake Trail. Here you can pass beneath aged cypress trees and towering pines. Shorter loops include the Sand Ridge Nature Trail and the Pine Woods Trail. Expect to see sandy beaches, reindeer moss, turkey oak, pond pine, the occasional Venus flytrap, and much more. All trails are clearly marked, and sometimes include boardwalks, gravel paths, and general fun.

Hunting and Fishing

 For the non-boaters, walk the boardwalk right out onto a 375-foot fishing pier. Although Lake Waccamaw is a popular boating spot, the park features no boat access. Yet boaters need only slip out of the park and catch one of the nearby public launch areas. There are two of them. Powerboats and sailboats are permitted on the lake. The lake itself is Waccamaw State Park property. Follow the park rules.

 Lake Waccamaw boasts fifty-two species of game and non-game fish. The waters are stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, redbreast sunfish, and shellcracker. Come on out. The fishing is great.

Point of History

Artifacts associated with Lake Waccamaw date back thousands of years. History includes the Waccamaw-Siouan tribes. The land has been used for agriculture, including some draining of the waters, and for timber mining. One popular lumber product, cypress shingles, has a curious harvest history of collection, boating across Lake Waccamaw, transport by mule, and finally exporting via train. However, tracks were eventually laid along the west shore of the lake, thus the need for boating and mules vanished. The railway is now defunct, yet remnants of the bridge crossing remain for public viewing. The Lake Waccamaw State Park currently contains 1732 acres of land and water.

A pleasant place to rest, Lake Waccamaw

Contact

 The park is located west of Wilmington and east of Whiteville. It can be reached via US 74/76. See map for additional help: http://www.mytopo.com/maps/?mtlat=34.25917&mtlon=-78.46833&z=14.

Lake Waccamaw State Park

1866 State Park DriveLake

Waccamaw, North Carolina   28450

Phone: 910-646-4748

Reservations: 877-722-6762

Email: [email protected]