Salem Lake Park

815 Salem Lake Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107. Use the main or Point lot for the playground, picnic areas, marina, and primary trail access; Linville Road provides another trail access point.

For the marina, playground, picnic areas, and mile-zero Point access, use 815 Salem Lake Road. Trail users can also use the Linville Road area; trail parking may be outside the main gates when marina gates are closed.

The park is open sunrise to sunset, but lake and trail users must exit 30 minutes before closing. Current marina and gate hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends, with lake and pier access ending at 6:30 p.m.; seasonal times can change.

General park, playground, picnic, and trail access are free. Pier fishing and boat launching have posted fees, and anglers age 16 or older need a North Carolina fishing license.

Restrooms are available at the marina office, near the playground and picnic area, and at the Linville Road access. Facilities are not continuous around the seven-mile loop.

Developed parking, marina, pier, playground, picnic, and restroom areas offer practical access, but most of the lake loop is dirt with changing grades, weather effects, and equestrian traffic.

The lake loop is seven miles and eight feet wide, with some pavement but mostly dirt. Mile markers run counterclockwise from the Point lot; walkers, runners, cyclists, and equestrians share the route.

Families can combine the playground, picnic areas, lake views, short trail segments, and fishing. A full loop is a substantial outing, so carry water and plan restroom stops.

Dogs must be leashed, waste removed, and pets kept under control around horses, bicycles, wildlife, the pier, playground, and shared paths.

The shelter and pavilion are shared public spaces and are not reservable for exclusive use. Small groups may use them without blocking other visitors or setting up across large areas.

Key destinations are the marina center, fishing pier, Point playground and picnic area, seven-mile Salem Lake Trail, Linville Road access, dam area, and Salem Creek Greenway connection.

Storm damage, high water, maintenance, marina operations, and seasonal closing times can affect the trail or lake. Call the marina for current trail conditions before a full loop; the lake and trail close before the outer gate.