Overview
Falls is a 12,000+ acre lake with 175 miles of shoreline located just north of Raleigh, NC. Impounded in 1983, Falls attracts a lot of visitors from the Triangle area of North Carolina. The relatively narrow channels in the Southern part of the lake usually make it easy to find decent water, and it's seldom difficult to stay in 8'-10' of water, again in the Southern part of the lake,
On weekends, Falls can get crowded. Especially if you're using the Barton's ramp (see below), come early and don't get frustrated. Falls is run by NC Parks, so note that "no alcoholic beverages are allowed in the parks, including the boat ramp areas". Yeah, right. Alcohol is allowed on the lake, so if you're going to have a cold one (only if you're NOT driving), have someone drop the cooler off a bridge as you go under. Alternately, you could leave the cooler in the boat and try not to be drunk & obnoxious while at the ramp
Ramps
Highway #50: Two miles North of the intersection of NC #50 and NC#98, this
facility has six ramps, two ramp docks, a separate T-dock, and restroom facilities.
A large paved parking lot is usually sufficient to handle weekend crowds. Cost
is $4 per vehicle to enter. As you leave the ramp area, the best water is to
the left, down toward #98, and there is a marina and lots of open (and shallow)
water to the right under the #50 bridge.
Barton's Creek: located on Six Forks Road 1/2 mile south of the intersection with #98, Upper Bartons has 4 ramps, two ramp docks, and no facilities. No fee is required to enter, but it's a bear to get in and out of during busy weekends. There is a good-sized paved lot and an overflow gravel lot. The best water on Falls Lake is near Barton's creek, leaving the ramp turn left (away from the bridge) and go approximately one mile through a narrow channel which will join the main channel. Either straight or to the left under the #98 bridge you will find excellent water, Check out the map.
Directions
Falls is 15 miles due North of Raleigh on Hwy #50. To get to the #50 ramp, cross under
#98 and go two miles. For Bartons, go East on #98 from 50 approximately a mile and
turn South on Six Forks road. Ramp is 1/2 mile on the left.
Places to ride
Barton's is the best ramp for nice water. Most popular places are marked on the
Map, There is a slalom course in the Lower Bartons Creek area (#1) so you may
want to look elsewhere if you see skiers using it. Again, check out the map.
Hazards
Falls does have some shallow areas, but for the most part they're well marked. The
occasional drought may lower the lake level to the point where the hazards are
multiplied. Normal lake level is 251 asl, so if the news shows 5 or more feet
below that, be especially careful.
As you leave the Barton's ramp area, you will go through a narrow opening and make at hard left, followed by a sweeping right to clear the markers in the channel. Don't cut the corner, but continue the right turn even afer the water opens up, settling on a route that angles away from the #98 bridge. There is shallow water off the point where the Eagle nest is.
Map
