image of blue clouds, trees and a lake

Lake Wheeler Park


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Overview Amenities Rentals Courts Playgrounds Hours

Year 1956 | Acres 800 (650 acres of lake and 150 acres of park and land buffer)

Constructed in 1956 with the aid of the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Wheeler once served as Raleigh's secondary auxiliary water-supply lake.

Beginning in 2010, Lake Wheeler was reinstated as a primary water supply for Raleigh and surrounding Wake County communities and feeds water to the Dempsey Benton Water Treatment Plant.

Contact

 

919-996-6740

Park Manager Chris Murray
Assistant Park Manager Ben Coats

Get directions
Know Before You Go

Address

Lake Wheeler Park
6404 Lake Wheeler Road
Raleigh, NC 27603

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Park Rules

  • Pets must be restrained on a leash at all times with in the park.
  • Swimming and/or wading is not allowed.
  • No alcohol of any kind.
  • Smoking is permitted only in designated parking lots.
kids in two boats on shoreline as part of camp at lake wheeler

Programs

Amenities

Accessibility

Accessibility

Lake Wheeler has an assortment of accessible amenities in the park.  See our park map for general wayfinding and facility locations. 

Parking

Lake Wheeler has 4 accessible parking spaces located in the parking lot above the waterfront center. 2 are near the Magnolia Shelter and 2 are near the sidewalk to the Accessible Fishing Dock.  There are an additional 2 accessible parking spaces located just off the road leading down to the boat ramps and launch area. 

Access to the Waterfront Center

The accessible entrance to the Waterfront Center is located on the road leading down to the boat ramps and launch area.  A ramp leads patrons directly to the park office. 

Restroom Facilities and Lake Overlook

Restrooms with accessible features are located at the Waterfront Center.  The deck and veranda provide a covered area to enjoy the view of Lake Wheeler. 

Accessible Fishing Dock

The accessible fishing dock is located on the east side of the parking lot above the waterfront center.  A sidewalk leads you down to the water’s edge where the dock is located. 

For More information about access at the park please call 919-996-6740

Boating Opportunities

Boat Rentals are not available. However, Lake Wheeler Park will have programmatic opportunities this summer to get you on the water. Program offerings will provide boating equipment to patrons for each activity. Boat offerings include basic lessons and tours of the lake. Please visit raleighnc.gov/reclink to view and register for paddling programs.

Two people rowing in a canoe at lake wheeler

Personal Boat Launches

Hours: Permissible during park hours with purchase of launch fee. Boats must be off the water 30 minutes prior to sunset or park closing time.

  • Boats (trailered and non-trailered) are allowed to launch into Lake Wheeler with the purchase of a daily or annual launch pass.
  • Motorized boats are allowed with the exception of personal water crafts (PWC), a term used for “Jet Ski”–type boats.
  • Watersport activities such as skiing and tubing are allowed; however, the act of swimming is not.

Launch Fees

As of July 1, 2022 new fee rates will be in place. 

  • City residents: $5/day
  • Non-residents: $7/day
  • Senior (age 55+): $3/day 
  • Annual rates: city residents $125, non-residents $175, senior citizens $75
Man and two girls kayaking on Lake Wheeler

Boating Policies

  • All boats must travel in a counter-clockwise pattern.
  • The speed limit is 40 mph on the lake.
  • No swimming from personal boats.
  • Adhere to all no-wake markers found on the body of Lake Wheeler.
  • No-wake hours are in effect for the entire lake on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until 11 a.m.

Fishing

  • Fishing is permitted in Lake Wheeler and Simpkins Pond with the purchase of a Lake Wheeler fishing permit and is required only if you are fishing on foot.
  • In addition, all visitors fishing must have a current North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) fishing license. Learn more about obtaining a fishing license.
  • Fishing is allowed on the two designated piers and on the shoreline of Simpkins Pond only. Bank fishing is not allowed on Lake Wheeler shorelines.
  • Stop by the park office to purchase a Lake Wheeler fishing permit and find out about the Rod and Reel Tackle Loaner program.

Lake Wheeler Fishing Trail

Marked by designated buoys, the trail consists of 11 sites: 3 for summer and winter fishing 4 for pre- and post-spawn fishing, and 4 for year-round fishing.  See the poster for details.

Fishing Fees

  • City resident: $4/day | $55/year
  • Non-resident: $5/day | $80/year
  • Senior (age 55+): $3/day | $30/year
  • Children (under 12): no charge

Rentals

party under a picnic shelter at Lake Wheeler

Lake Wheeler has a large conference room, kitchenette, deck, verandah, and several picnic shelters that are available for rent. 

Find out more about rentals.

Courts

Empty sand volleyball court at lake wheeler

Sand Volleyball Court

  • $20/hour (2 hour minimum)

Courts are typically available on a first-come, first-served basis. View other court locations.

 

Playgrounds

Kids playground wide lake wheeler parks

Ages 2–12

  • Woodchip surface
  • Swings for ages 5 and above

View other playground locations.

Hours

October and March

 
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday:
7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Thursday:
7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday:
7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday:
7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday:
7 a.m.–7 p.m.

November and February

 
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesday:
7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thursday:
7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday:
7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday:
7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday:
7 a.m.–6 p.m.

December and January

 
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thursday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.

September and April

 
Monday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Tuesday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Wednesday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Thursday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.

May through August

 
Monday:
6 a.m.–8 p.m.
Tuesday:
6 a.m.–8 p.m.
Wednesday:
6 a.m.–8 p.m.
Thursday:
6 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday:
6 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday:
6 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday:
6 a.m.–8 p.m.