Hope Mills Lake

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hope Mills Lake is a popular recreational destination located in Cumberland County, North Carolina.


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Summary

The lake is a man-made reservoir that was formed by the Hope Mills Dam, which was built in 1926 to provide hydroelectric power to the nearby town of Hope Mills.

Visitors come to Hope Mills Lake to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill, making it a popular spot for anglers. The lake also has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and hiking trails, making it a great place for families to spend a day outdoors.

One of the most popular attractions at Hope Mills Lake is the Hope Mills Lake Park, which features a large playground, a splash pad, and a picnic shelter. The park is also home to the Hope Mills Lake Park Veterans Memorial, which honors the brave men and women who have served in the United States military.

Interesting facts about Hope Mills Lake include its important role in providing hydroelectric power to the town of Hope Mills during the early 20th century and its designation as a "Fish Attraction Lake" by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

The best time of year to visit Hope Mills Lake is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is at its busiest. However, visitors can also enjoy the lake during the fall and winter when the crowds are thinner and the autumn foliage is at its peak.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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