Activities
Lake Waccamaw is located in the coastal region of North Carolina, one hour
west of Wilmington. It is the largest lake out of the 500,000 mysterious
geological phenomena known as Carolina bays. A limestone bluff reduces
the acidity levels, making the lake an ideal home for several aquatic species
that are found nowhere else in the world.
Experience the Park!
Lake Waccamaw State Park
1866 State Park Dr.
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28540
910-646-4748
lake.waccamaw@ncparks.gov
GPS: 34.278985, -78.46548
Fun Facts
Many rare plants grow
in the area including
venus-hair fern,
green-fly orchid,
seven-angled pipewort,
narrowleaf yellow pondlily
and water arrowhead
The limestone bluffs
along the lake’s north
shore neutralize
the water creating
a biodiverse lake.
■■ American alligator
■■ Brown-headed nuthatch
■■ White-eyed vireo
■■ The park was established in 1976 with 273
acres of land.
■■ Parula warbler
■■ Artifacts from the Waccamaw-Siouan tribe
have been found at the lake.
■■ Black bear
■■ Bobcat
■■ Waccamaw
■■ The land was once owned by Federal
Paper Board Company and Georgia-Pacific
Corporation.
silverside
■■ Waccamaw
darter
■■ Water for the lake is supplied by the Friar
Swamp.
■■ Lake Waccamaw is one of the few bay lakes
that contains open water and is not covered
with vegetation.
Lake Waccamaw is home
to many different endemic
species, including 15 species
of mussels and clams and 11
different snail species.
■■ John Bartram, a renowned botanist, wrote
about the area in Journey Through the Carolinas
in 1765–1766.
■■ The lake has 52 species of game and nongame fish.
■■ Lumber companies used the lake to ship
cypress shingles.
■■ The lake is 9,000 acres, has 14 miles of
shoreline and 4 miles of easy trails.
ncparks.gov
MNQP
