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Lake Waccamaw State Park

Lake Waccamaw Map

LOCATION:
Coastal Plain
Columbus County

SIZE IN ACRES:
1,732

INVOLVEMENT IN ACRES:
1,138


Waccamaw River
Standing at the mouth of the Waccamaw River (© Fred Annand)
Lake Waccamaw
Edge of water, Lake Waccamaw State Park (© Fred Annand)

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP:
Lake Waccamaw East, Lake Waccamaw West

Topographical maps are available by contacting:
NC Geographical Survey.
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
(919) 715-9718
www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/

ACTIVITIES & AMENITIES:
Parking / Restrooms / Picnicking / Primitive Camping / Hiking / Canoeing / Boat Ramp / Fishing

OWNERSHIP & ACCESS:
Lake Waccamaw State Park
1866 State Park Drive
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-4748

SITE INFORMATION:
The primary headwater for the Waccamaw River, Lake Waccamaw has the distinction of being the largest water-filled Carolina bay in North Carolina. The upper Waccamaw River swamp is one of the largest swamp expanses in the state.

The 9,000-acre lake contains several mollusks and fishes found nowhere else in the world. The Waccamaw spike, the Waccamaw darter, the Waccamaw killifish, and the Waccamaw silverside, while closely related to species in nearby streams, are genetically distinct. Since Lake Waccamaw is only several thousand years old, this process of rapid evolution, called "speciation," makes it a nationally prominent area of natural diversity and scientific study.

Canoeing along the shore of this tea-colored lake will give you an opportunity to see wading birds and an occasional alligator, along with many lizards and frogs. Nuthatches, warblers, and vireos can be seen in the surrounding trees in the spring and summer. A short interpretive nature trail highlights the unique natural features of the area. A number of rare plants grow in the marshy shore and sandhill scrub vegetation, including Venus-hair fern, green-fly orchid, seven-angled pipewort, narrowleaf yellow pondlily, and water arrowhead.

CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS:
Since 1986, The Nature Conservancy has assisted the State of North Carolina in purchasing land for Lake Waccamaw State Park.

DIRECTIONS:
Lake Waccamaw is located 12 miles east of Whiteville and 38 miles west of Wilmington. From the town of Lake Waccamaw, head east on NC 214 and turn right on Jefferson Road (SR 1757). Go 1.3 miles and turn left on SR 1947. The park entrance is 2.6 miles ahead on the left.