Salem Lake

As of October 2012, all water-related activities at Salem Lake had been curtailed due to dam construction. That’s the not-so-good news. The good news is that construction isn’t forever, and soon (perhaps even by the time you read this), the 365-acre lake will be back in business for local paddlers.

Every local paddler needs a quick go-to place when the urge to be on the water is great, the time to do so not so. A 10-minute drive from downtown — and located close to U.S. 421 and U.S. 52 it’s probably not much farther for most Winston-Salemites. Though it’s not a big lake surfacewise, its two long fingers — one is two and a quarter miles the other a half mile shorter — make for both a nice workout and a pleasant natural excursion.

For the latest on dam construction and the reopening of Salem Lake, call 336.727.2066.

More info: Salem Lake Park

Maps: Downloadable here, also available at the park.

Getting there from downtown Winston-Salem
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Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 10 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem
Time to complete: 1-2 hours
Address: 1001 Salem Lake Road
City: Winston-Salem
State: N.C.
Zip: 27101
Latitude: 36.0569
Longitude: 80.1159