The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages and maintains three recreational areas and the locks and dams along the Cape Fear River in Bladen County, North Carolina. The river is made navigable for boats by the lock system, and pools above the dams provide municipal water supplies. The project provides a minimum navigable depth of eight feet.
The Lock and Dam #1, Lock and Dam #2 and William O Huske Lock and Dam sites feature picnic areas, fishing piers, hiking trails, and boat ramps that provide access to the river. Facilities are available free of charge, and open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Additional facilities at the sites include comfort stations, drinking water fountains, charcoal grills, and picnic tables with paved road access. There is no swimming or overnight camping at the COE Cape Fear River sites.
A house that once provided a residence for lockmasters still remains at Lock and Dam #1 and the 100-year-old structure is now an office and environmental education center. Services and amenities in the area can be found at Elizabethtown, North Carolina.
Overnight camping is available at nearby Jones Lake State Park, 10 minutes away, or at Lumber River State Park, a one hour drive from COE Cape Fear River sites. Looking to rent an RV to explore the Cape Fear River Basin recreation areas? Check out North Carolina RV Rentals.
To reach Lock and Dam #1 on Cape Fear River, use SR 1734/#1 Lock Road, which is accessible from State Highway 87. The access road is about two miles northwest of the junction of Route 11 and Highway 87. Access roads are paved.
Lock and Dam #2 can be reached using State Route 1703/Locks Road, off of Highway 87. To reach the access road travel one mile south of the outskirts of Elizabethtown, then turn left to reach the recreation area at the dam and continue for about one mile on the paved access road. There is a small parking lot here that may not accommodate RVs.
The William O. Huske Lock and Dam # 3 can also be accessed from Highway 87, about 17 miles southeast of Fayetteville. Use State Road 1355 and stay to the right on the gravel access road. It is about three miles from Highway 87 to the recreation area.
Overnight camping at Jones Lake State Park can be reached four miles north of Elizabethtown, 35 miles southeast of Fayetteville, and 60 miles northwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. Use route 242 which is a paved road to the access which is three miles north of the junction of Route 242 and Route 53. Navigating the route with your RV is easy as the access road and campground are in a designated area with good roads.
Nearby Elizabethtown provides amenities and services to visitors to the COE recreational areas and for RV Campers at the Jones Lake State Park.
There are 20 campsites at the Jones Lake State Campground, making this a quiet, peaceful spot for RV campers to enjoy. Most sites are unserviced; however, there is a site with water and electric hookups. There is a pull-through site, and back-in sites that all have picnic tables and fire rings with grills.
Amenities at the park include a picnic shelter, bathhouse with flush toilets and showers, telephones, and drinking water supply. There are an auditorium and classroom located at the visitor center. The auditorium accommodates 50 people, and the classroom accommodates 35 people. Exhibits and park information are available at the visitor center. The campground has a beach for swimming and lots of shady pine and cypress trees.
A boat launch in the area provides lake access to motorized boats less than 10 HP and non-motorized craft. There are hiking trails from the campground that allow campers to access and enjoy the beautiful natural area. The campground is reservable, and open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Located just a few miles from the COE Lock and Dam # 2 recreation site is the Browns Creek Bike Trail. This seven-mile loop trail has elevation changes of 262 feet along its path with an average grade of 2% and a maximum grade of 8%. There are hills and switchbacks on a single track that rolls through beautiful hardwood forest. This is a challenging trail that mountain bikers will love as it provides exciting terrain. There is also a practice track next to the parking lot. Helmets and safety equipment are recommended.
Interpretive trails are located at Corps of Engineers recreation areas at Lock and Dam Site # 1 and # 2. Some trails are restricted to hikers only, and some are multi-use trails where you may encounter cyclists. Interpretive information on the trail highlights the natural resources and navigation system along the river.
During the fall season, the beautiful autumn colors create a spectacular backdrop for hiking in the region and there are fewer biting insects and cooler temperatures. Local state parks and forested area provide more hiking trails in the area.
Fishing from piers at COE Lock and Dam sites, or from boats launched on the river at the boat ramps located at the recreation areas, is a popular pastime along the Cape Fear River. The most common fish species available for catch in the river is the American of white shad, striped bass, and catfish. Some of the catfish in the river can be very large and provide plenty of excitement. Anglers will also find bream and crappie.
Towards the coast, saltwater mixes with the freshwater on the Cape Fear River providing an even greater diversity of species. Spring and fall are popular times to catch bass along the river.
Boat ramps are located at all three Corps of Engineer Recreation sites. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed and the boat ramps are concrete. There are also canoe access steps to aid canoers in launching their watercraft.
The series of boat locks at the dam sites allow navigation along the river from Fayetteville to the coast, a trip that can be done in a day if you start at sunrise in Fayetteville and travel to reach Carolina Beach at around sunset. Remember to have life preservers for all boat passengers.
Corps of Engineers Lock and Dam sites # 1, # 2, and William O Huske Dam Site # 3, all have picnic areas, group picnic sites and group picnic shelters for enjoying an outdoor meal by the Cape Fear River. Amenities like comfort stations, water fountains, picnic tables, and charcoal grills provide useful facilities for visitors.
Pack a lunch or bring some hot dogs or burgers to grill up on-site for a great outing. Groups can reserve group shelters for family reunions or organizational events.
The Cape Fear River is a 200 plus mile, blackwater river, that meanders slowly through hardwood forest, swamps, marshes, and wetlands, and provides a variety of habitats for wildlife. Towards the coast, the water becomes a mix of salt and freshwater contributing to the biodiversity of the region.
Rare birds such as great egret, blue heron, and white ibis are attracted to the wetlands and a variety of bird species including tern, warblers, robins, and woodpeckers can also be found in the region. There are both non-venomous and venomous snakes in the wilderness habitat along the river so use caution. Other reptiles include turtles, alligators, and skinks. Mammals in the area include opossums, cotton rats, marsh rabbits, bobcats, bears, raccoons, and river otters. Where salt and freshwater mix towards the coastal areas the rare West Indian Manatee can even be spotted!
