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| Singletary Lake State Park © Katrena |
Singletary Lake State Park, located 50 miles northwest of Wilmington, used to only be available for group camping but now offers visitors opportunities to hike, fish, go boating, or simply enjoy nature.
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| Restrooms at Singletary Lake State Park © Katrena |
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| Statue Honoring Civilian Conservation Corps by FDR © Katrena |
We visited Singletary Lake in the spring of 2020 on the way to Carolina Beach State Park. Several parts of the park were closed due to military training, but we were able to see one group camping area and walk down to the pier at the lake. The restrooms were located next to the parking area and they were open. We also saw a statue honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who built much of what is in the park today.
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| Camp Ipecac at Singletary Lake State Park © Katrena |
Camp Ipecac is named for Carolina ipecac, an herb that grows in the region's sandy soil. As a nurse for many years, I remember syrup of ipecac being administered to children who had ingested certain poisonous substances in order to induce vomiting, so I couldn't help but smile and become intrigued by that name.
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| Group Camping for Boy Scouts, 4-H, etc. at North Carolina State Parks © Katrena |
The group camp site reminds me a little of group camping in 4-H. This park has been used by organizations such as Boy Scouts and 4-H for summer camps since 1939. According to the website, the group camping offers dormitory-style accommodations, modern bathrooms and a mess hall. Camp Ipecac is normally open for up to 84 people April through October while Camp Loblolly Bay is typically open year-round for up to 48 people. Due to a pandemic with a novel coronavirus, all group camping was cancelled at the time we visited.
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| TRACK Trail at Singletary Lake State Park near Wilmington © Katrena |
We were the only visitors to the open part of the park when we visited. We were able to access the TRACK trail, which is a short trail to the lake. The trail was well-maintained with a paved surface. TRACK trails include educational boards along the trail so that visitors can learn more about the area.
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| Canoeing, Fishing, and Boating at Singletary Lake State Park © Katrena |
In addition to hiking, visitors are welcome to bring in canoes, kayaks, or watercraft with electric motors to hop on the lake. The canoes at the lake and swimming area are for group campers only. Visitors can fish from the pier or from watercraft, but fish populations tend to be low due to the acidity of the water.
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| Carolina Bay Lake Near North Carolina Coast © Katrena |
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| Beautiful Lake Photo Opportunities in NC © Katrena |
This protected area is one of a handful of Carolina bay lakes in North Carolina. The water has a distinct black hue to it due to its acidity. The cypress trees emerging from the waters of Singletary Lake provide striking photo opportunities. Some of the trees are more than 400 years old.
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| 500-foot Pier at Singletary Lake State Park © Katrena |
The 500-foot pier beckoned my crew to enjoy the scenery. As you can see from the photo, the pier was in good shape. The area was quite serene and peaceful and a wonderful place to dip one's toes into the water to cool off from the deck. One of my daughters saw a snake silently slithering on top of the water.
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| Water Level at Singletary Lake State Park © Katrena |
The lake's deepest portion is 12 feet. Like many bay lakes, Singletary Lake is shrinking as the bay forest grows into the lake. It is currently 44% smaller than its original size and may one day become a bog.
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| Dragonfly and Other Wildlife at North Carolina State Parks © Katrena |
The 133-acre Turkey Oak Natural Area lies within the park and will remain in its natural state for scientific and educational study. Some rare plants like the white wicky and carnivorous plants grow in the park. Like many of our state's parks, nature provides unique opportunities to see a wide variety of plants and animals that are unique with each visit.
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| Cypress Trees Growing in Lake © Katrena |
If you are visiting in warmer months, I would recommend sunscreen and bug spray before going out to hike. Plan to go slow and savor the moment in time, leaving only footprints and taking only photos.
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| Storm Clouds Over Lake © Katrena |
For more information about Singletary Lake State Park, visit the
official web page, where you can find directions, hours, fees for group camping, historical information, information about the flora and fauna, a short video, and more. Visit the
Natural Resources Inventory Database to find lists and photos of plants and animals found at the park. Click
here to find links to all TRACK trails in the North Carolina State Parks system.
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| Singletary Lake Cypress Trees © Katrena |
Additional articles by Katrena:
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| Outdoor Activities in North Carolina © Katrena |
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