Lake Wheeler Park

6404 Lake Wheeler Road | Raleigh, NC 27603

Park Office: 919-662-5704

Park Manager: Chris Murray

Assistant Manager: Ben Coats

Hours:Daily, Dawn to Dusk, (Closed On Mondays fromOctober through March), year round (Park may remain open longer for special facility rentals)

Holidays: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, New Years Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Directions: Using Interstate 40 in Raleigh as a reference point, take exit 297 [Lake Wheeler Road] and proceed south [away from Raleigh]. Lake Wheeler Park is approximately 4 1/2 miles from Interstate 40. Stay on Lake Wheeler Rd, passing across Tryon Rd. Continue on Lake Wheeler Road and the park entrance will be on the right side. Make a right into the front entrance of the park and stay on the long winding road to the waterfront. Entrance to the park can only be accessed via Lake Wheeler Rd.

History: Constructed in 1956 with the aid of the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Wheeler once served as Raleigh's secondary auxiliary water supply lake. In 1958, Lake Wheeler was approved for controlled fishing and other recreational activities as established by City of Raleigh Ordinance. A Master Plan was developed for Lake Wheeler Park in 1959, noting that this reservoir would provide opportunities for fishing, motor boating, water-skiing, sailing and canoeing. Many improvements have been initiated since those early days and the current site bears little resemblance to the initial structures that were put in place in the 1950's. This 800 acre park and lake (650 acres of lake; 150 acres of park and land buffer) has rapidly become a favorite capital city getaway. 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.

Free Picnic Areas: Individual stand-alone picnic tables are located around the areas of the park. There are no fees associated with these tables and are first come first serve. Stationary barbecue charcoal grills are located near most areas.

Indoor Rental Facility at Lake Wheeler Park:

The Waterfront Program Center (WPC) was Dedicated in May 1998, this unique facility boasts a 25' x 40' conference room with warming kitchen [max. capacity 99], a large open deck area w/covered verandah, a concessions area, waiting room, manager's office, rest rooms, outside playground [directly behind facility], and a boat rental area. Lake Wheeler's WPC houses an indoor rental facility called the Conference Room.

The Lake Wheeler Park Conference Room is a lovely multipurpose room for business meetings and special occasions. This room can accommodate up to 72 people, with tables and chairs provided. Conference room includes a kitchenette with a microwave, sink, refrigerator/freezer and a full size ice machine for your convenience. This facility is located on our scenic waterfront. For an additional fee, the covered verandah and spacious deck can also be reserved. Please call for additional information or a tour of our facility.

Waterfront Program Center (WPC)

• Conference Room: $75/hour.
• Conference Room & Verandah: $105/hr.
• Conference Room, Verandah & Deck: $135/hr.

*Reservations are taken Monday - Friday from 9am to 4pm.

*Tables and chairs provided on site.

*Conference room seating capacity with tables provided: 72 people approx.

*Capacity including the verandah and deck areas: 99 people max.

*The rental of the indoor facility requires additional fees. Please refer to the additional fees section.

Additional Facility Rental Fees

After-Hours Rental: Rentals lasting beyond normal park closing hours (dusk) will require an additional $40.00/hour charge to maintain park employees on hand. The park is only open during daylight hours. No rentals past 12:00am.

Damage Deposit: A $75 damage security deposit will be required with rental payment. Deposit will be returned as long as there is no damage done to the room or the items provided.

Set up/Breakdown Charge: A $40 nonrefundable fee is required with rental payment for basic room set up and breakdown. Set up includes table and chairs and basic cleaning prior and after the rental event.

Outdoor Rental Facilities

Lake Wheeler Park has 6 outdoor covered picnic shelters available to rent. These facilities are often used for family reunions, business retreats and special occasions. All of these facilities are in walking distance to the lake and Waterfront Program Center which provides a scenic view of the park. There are 3 different sizes available to choose from. Shelter rental price varies depending on the capacity of the shelters.

• Medium Shelters #4, 5 & 6 Fees: $9/hour
• Large Shelter 7 Fees: $12/hour
• X-Large Shelters 8 & 9 Fees: $15/hour

Sand Volleyball Court: Regulation sand volleyball court w/net. Fee: $15/hour

* Charcoal grills are provided at all of the outdoor picnic shelters. Patrons may bring an additional grill provided they are placed near the rental area and not underneath the covered shelter.

* Restroom facilities are located in walking distance to all shelter areas.

Additional Facility Rental Fees

Set up/Breakdown Charge: A nonrefundable fee is required with rental payment for basic cleaning of the shelter prior and after the rental event.

• Medium and Large Shelter Fees: $20
• X-Large Shelter Fees: $40

Launching of Private Boats at Lake Wheeler

Enjoy the day on the water by launching your personally owned boat. Patrons may launch private boats at Lake Wheeler to enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, pleasure cruising, canoeing, kayaking and sailing.Personal Watercrafts (PWC), commonly known as Jet skis, is not allowed to launch at Lake Wheeler.The use of Personal Watercrafts isprohibited according to Raleigh City Ordinance as of January 2001.Although there is a small bridge that passes over Lake Wheeler by Penny Rd., fishing and the launching of boats is not allowed at that location. A recreational launch fee is charged per boat and is mandatory for all types (motorized and non-motorized).

Daily Boat Launching Fees:

• Raleigh Residents: $4.00.
• Non Raleigh Residents: $6.00.
• Senior CitizenRate (for patrons above age 62) & Veterans: $2.00.

Season passes are also available, allowing unlimited use of Lake Wheeler for private boat launchings (during operating hours).Season passes are issued for a calendar year only (valid from January through December). After July 1^st, half season passes can be purchased for half the price (July through December)

Season Launch Pass:

• Raleigh Residents: $100
• Non Raleigh Residents: $150
• Senior/Veteran Rate: $50

Half Season Launch Pass:

• Raleigh Residents: $50
• Non Raleigh Residents: $75
• Senior/Veteran Rate: $25

Non Motorized Boat Rentals

Lake Wheeler has a variety of non-motorized boats for rent. Whether your goal is to go fishing, site seeing or exercise, we have the boat that's right for you. All boats are provided with the proper operating equipment to include oars/paddles, life jackets and floatation devices. Boats are only rented during acceptable weather conditions.

Boat Rentals & Fees:

• Jonboats / Rowboats (available year round): $4/hour
• Canoes (available April through October): $5/hour
• Kayaks (single & double - available April through October): $5/hour
• Pedalboats (available year round): $6/half hour ; $8/hour
• Sunfish Sailboats (available April through October): $10/hour

Rental Boat Factors and Weather Conditions:

• Safety is our ultimate concern. Life jackets must be worn at all times and all boaters must practice safe boat handling. All operation and safety equipment provided on site.
• Please call ahead if weather conditions are in doubt. Rental boat operations will be cancelled during inclement weather (heavy rains or excessive wind speeds).
• For year round boat rentals, the cold weather policy is in effect from November through March. These procedures will involve the measuring of both air and water temperatures on a daily basis. If the measurement of both yields a combined total of less than 100 degrees, then boat rentals will not be allowed.
• Each boat will require a valid driver's license or state ID card for each boat. Responsible person on each boat must meet minimum age requirement. All boats require the responsible person to be 16 years old except Sunfish Sailboats which the requirement is 18 years old.

Concession and Other Sales: The concessions area sells a variety of snacks, drinks, and fast food to include: chicken nuggets, french fries, hot dogs, popcorn, candy bars,ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate, soft drinks, sports drinks, bottled water, and our popular slushies. The purchase of boat launches, fishing passes and boat rentals are also done at the concessions. The concession is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, year-round.