Copyright: North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
Singletary Lake State Park
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Description
- In 1936, the National Park Service began development of two recreational demonstration projects in North Carolina, one was Singletary Lake. The purpose of the project was to buy submarginal farmland and convert it to better use through federally funded work programs. During 1936-1939 Resettlement Administration workers constructed Singletary recreation Center which included an office, maintenance building and recreation facilities. The property was turned over to the state July 1, 1939 for operation under a lease agreement. In October 1954, the land was given to the state by the federal government. The first to use this park were Boy Scouts and 4-H clubs. Singletary lake has impenetrable areas of trees such as red bay, loblolly bay, pond pine and Atlantic white cedar. The shrubs of this region include pepperbush, gallberry, leucothoe, huckleberry and sheepskill. The higher areas of the park provide habitats for turkey oak, longleaf pine, blueberry and holly. Located in the park is Turkey Oak Natural Area. Designated as a natural area by the Society of American Foresters in the early 1960's, Turkey Oak will remain in its natural state to be used for scientific and educational study. This 133 acre area, named for its predominant tree, consists of a coarse sand ridge at the southeastern end of the lake and a portion of the bay-bog. All of the primary plant community types around the Carolina bays are represented here. The rare white wicky, a relative of mountain laurel, as well as carnivorous plants also grow in the area. Park Hours: 8:00 am -5 pm year-round. Office hours: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm and 1 pm - 5 pm, Monday through Friday. The park is closed Christmas Day.
Recreation - For canoeing, swimming and nature walks, bring the group to an area designated for organized camping. Two group camps contain mess halls, kitchens, campers' cabins and washhouses. Our rangers will conduct fascinating nature programs for your group and explain the unique phenomenon of the Carolina bays. The public may fish in the lake when the group camps are not in use, by obtaining permission from park staff. NC fishing license required. The park offers one trail with views of the bay community.
The public may fish in the lake when the group camps are not in use, by obtaining permission from park staff. NC fishing license required. Contact the park office to arrange an exploration of Singletary Lake for your group or class. Environmental Educational Learning Experience (EELE)--Carolina Bay Watch. Grades: 6, 7 and 8. Introduces students to the unique geology of a Carolina bay. Major concepts covered include: bay geomorphology, water quality, aquatic sampling, animal adaptations and data collection. Camp Loblolly Bay is accessible for persons with disabilities. Singletary Lake State Park is within the boundaries of Bladen Lakes State Forest whereby Jones Lake State Park is located at the northern end of Bladen Lakes State Forest. Climate - North Carolina has a temperate climate with mild winters and long fall and spring months. Summers can be hot and humid, especially in the piedmont and coastal plain region, which don't get relief from coastal breezes or higher elevations. The mountains tend to be substantially cooler and receive some winter snow. In the Piedmont Region, winter daytime temperatures normally range from the upper 30's to the upper 40s. Summer daytime temperatures range from the high 70's to the low 90's. The state has a fairly wet climate with an average precipitation for this area averaging 44-52 inches (112-132 centimeters). Location -
Singletary Lake State Park is located in Bladen County on Highway 53, 14 miles southeast of Elizabethtown and six miles east of White Lake.
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