Falls Lake Hike (Section 1 - Falls Dam to Raven Ridge Rd)

We will park cars at both ends of this trail. We will hike 3.5 - 4 miles at a moderate pace and will carpool back to where we started. We will begin at the Tailrace Fishing Area at the base of the Falls Dam, we will walk across the top of Falls Lake dam for a great view of FULL Falls Lake, Falls Dam and the Neuse River. We will pick up the Falls Lake Trail (unpaved) and continue to Raven Ridge Rd. We'll carpool back to our cars at the Tailrace fishing area. This is Section 1 of the Falls Lake Trail.

Directions: I would advise printing out these directions and following carefully if you have never been to the Tailrace Fishing Area. Also, allow PLENTY of time to get here, traffic can be tedious at this time of day.
From I-440 take exit 10, Wake Forest Rd headed north, which will become Falls of Neuse Rd.
At I-540 (exit 14), Falls of the Neuse Rd headed north. Continue for 3.5 miles (passing Durant Rd, Raven Ridge Rd and entrance to Falls Dam Visitor Center). Turn left at 3.5 miles north of I-540 into parking lot for Falls Tailrace Fishing area (brown sign), just behind the white sign on the left for Paddle Creek Canoes/Kayaks. If you cross the narrow bridge that crosses the Neuse River you have gone too far. We will meet here next to restrooms. NOTE: Restrooms are locked by approx. 5pm, so make plans accordingly!