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Lake Waccamaw State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules

Places › Lake Waccamaw State Park

Lake Waccamaw State Park is a North Carolina state park in Lake Waccamaw, Columbus County, in our Eastern Plain & Inner Banks region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.

  • AdmissionFree day use
  • HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 7 a.m., by month
  • ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
  • DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below

About Lake Waccamaw State Park

The park sits on the largest Carolina bay, a lake with open water rather than vegetation. A limestone bluff lowers the water's acidity, which suits aquatic species found nowhere else, and a pedestrian bridge over the dam lets visitors walk the whole 14-mile shoreline.

Plan It in Three Lines

  1. Getting In

    Day-use admission is free.

    Closes 6 to 9 p.m.

  2. Bring the Dog?

    Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.

    Full rules below

  3. Make It a Trip

    Singletary Lake State Park is about 21 miles away (straight line).

    2 units within 30 miles

Lake Waccamaw State Park Hours

The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Dec to Feb) and 9 p.m. (May to Sep). It opens 7 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:

Closing Time by Month Park Hours, p.m.

Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.

Park Hours
MonthHours
January7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
December7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Visitor Center: Open daily, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The park is closed on Christmas Day.
  • The park is open during all other holidays.

Admission and Fees

There are no fees required to access Lake Waccamaw State Park for day use. Fees are charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.

Dogs and Strollers

  • Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
  • Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (910-646-4748) before you go.

Directions and Contact

State Parks Near Lake Waccamaw State Park

Around Lake Waccamaw State Park within 60 miles
20 mi40 mi60 miNSEW12345
  1. 1Singletary Lake State ParkState Parkabout 21 mi
  2. 2Jones Lake State ParkState Parkabout 29 mi
  3. 3Lumber River State ParkState Parkabout 32 mi
  4. 4Carolina Beach State ParkState Parkabout 36 mi
  5. 5Fort Fisher State Recreation AreaState Recreation Areaabout 38 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Lake Waccamaw State Park?

Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Waccamaw State Park?

Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

What time does Lake Waccamaw State Park close?

It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.

Is Lake Waccamaw State Park open on Christmas?

The park is closed on Christmas Day.

Are strollers allowed at Lake Waccamaw State Park?

Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
  • Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.

Sources

  1. Lake Waccamaw State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
  2. NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
  3. OpenStreetMap (map point check)

Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Lake Waccamaw State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/lake-waccamaw-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.