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Waterfront Listings in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill Area
The Triangle has many good features that make it attractive to home buyers, but waterfront property is one thing that's not in huge supply around here!
Apart from the coast, inland buyers interested in waterfront property are probably thinking about a nice home with views of a lake or river, maybe a dock, but certainly direct access to the water.
While we have multiple recreational lakes with homes surrounding the lakes, there are no "lake-front" properties for sale with docks at our major lakes. The homes that are adjacent to the lakes have a buffer, so while you may get some views you can't walk right down to your boat.
Kerr Lake further to the north does have the ability to have docks, but it's a 45 minute drive from Durham so somewhat of a longer commute.
Two of our most popular lakes, Jordan Lake and Falls Lake, are undeveloped and regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Both are designated as state recreation areas, with multiple access areas, campsites, swimming beaches, and boating ramps. There are hiking and biking trails around the lakes.
So, the communities that include Jordan Lake or Falls Lake in their names simply mean they’re very near. Some have spectacular lake views (but no boat docks) and those homes are often in the high-end luxury home range with prices of $2 million and up.
Raleigh has two good-sized lakes in Lake Wheeler and Lake Johnson. Lake Wheeler has some beautiful homes - $1 million+ - that have great views of the lake, but no direct access to water. Swimming is not allowed in Lake Wheeler although personal boats can be launched with day passes. Lake Johnson Park Lake Johnson Park has a dual designation of metro park and nature preserve. Fishing is allowed but there is no swimming.
Lake Benson, located just south of Raleigh, is also a large lake that has great trails, and allows fishing, but neither swimming or personal watercraft are allowed.
Bottom line? You may be able to buy a home that has a water view of a lake, but no direct access. And the houses with those views are going to be much more expensive because the houses are going to be larger and grander.
Communities with private lakes
One good option is to buy homes in neighborhoods that include private lakes - here are a few notable ones.
The Preston community is a lush golf course community located between Morrisville and Cary. It’s centered around Preston Village, a scenic open park featuring an expansive private lake and playground area. With close access to shopping, dining, and parks, Preston has a wide range of living opportunities - affordable townhomes, spacious single-family homes, high-end luxury homes. Prices start around $400k with some topping out over $1 million.
Lochmere is another Cary neighborhood centered around beautiful lakes and wooded trails. It features single-family homes ranging from $350k to $1.2 million, with sq. feet from 2,303 to 5,675. The houses range in age from 1985 to 2021. A pool, tennis courts, and planned community events and celebrations make Lochmere a great community.
Durham’s Grove Park is a golf community that has two neighborhoods, one on the lake side and one on the golf side. The two sides are split by Route 98 and the southern lakeside neighborhood surrounds a lake with a clubhouse and pool nestled right on the lake. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in the lake.
Some of the lakefront homes have multi-level decking that provide great water views. Homes in the neighborhood start around $250k and homes on the lake can be priced under $400k when available.
The Parkwood subdivision is a quiet southwest Durham neighborhood located minutes from RTP. Home to nearly 3,000 people, Parklane features 100 acres of shared parkland, playgrounds, ball field, and swim club, in addition to its lake. Single-family homes in this neighborhood can be found under $300k and homes with great views, when available, can be under $400k.
And what about rivers?
The Triangle is not known for its rivers, so it’s no surprise that we don’t really have great riverfront properties. The Eno River, which runs from Durham west through Hillsborough, is a good example. Like the popular Raleigh and Durham lakes, the Eno River has a lot of properties near the river or its expansive state park, but very few direct on the water homes. There are direct access, mostly undeveloped, lots that sometimes come up for sale, but those are more on the Hillsborough end than the Durham side.
What’s the bottom line?
If having a water view is very important to you, you are better off looking at neighborhoods that include their own private lakes within the community. On the other hand, if you want to take advantage of being near a large lake with all the recreational opportunities they offer, you will be best served by choosing the communities surrounding these lakes, even without a water view or direct access.
The good news is that the entire Triangle area has much to recommend to those who are relocating here, to retire or to explore career opportunities. No matter where in the Triangle you’re looking, you can use our advanced search or map search to find your dream home, or contact us for a consultation.
Waterfront Properties for Sale in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill
KERR LAKE ACCESS ACREAGE: 18+ Acres with CREEK & frontage along the U. S. Army Corps land to Kerr Lake. SHARED DOCK will enjoy a sandy shoreline & sunsets over the water....
- 2427683 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT LOT overlooking the main channel of Kerr Lake. Watch sunrise on your SANDY BEACH....toes will truly be "in the sand" here. The perfect place to build your ...
- 2404922 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT LOT overlooking the main channel of Kerr Lake. Watch sunrise on your SANDY BEACH....toes will truly be "in the sand" here. The perfect place to build your ...
- 2404928 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE ACCESS ACREAGE: Parcel B is 13.01 Acres with frontage along the U. S. Army Corps land to Kerr Lake. A road is in place & a path from the property thru the Corps...
- 2427677 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Waterfront Residential New Home Opportunity! Bring your builder or use ours. See MLS #2483853 for Caruso Homes pre-build. City Water and City Sewer at street. Enjoy natur...
- 2483854 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT ACREAGE: 3.14 ACRES in the Bluestone area of Kerr Lake. AG ZONE- SO do what you want...have horses or chickens here! BUOY saves your Dock Spot. From your D...
- 2373653 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
WE’VE PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION! All that’s left is for YOUR builder to build YOUR dream home. This RARE opportunity offers six CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL LOTS to choose from. Th...
- 2499325 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
WE’VE PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION! All that’s left is for YOUR builder to build YOUR dream home. This RARE opportunity offers six CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL LOTS to choose from. Th...
- 2499324 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
WE’VE PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION! All that’s left is for YOUR builder to build YOUR dream home. This RARE opportunity offers six CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL LOTS to choose from. Th...
- 2499326 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Great Opportunity for mini farm ON THE LAKE. 16.33 acres. This property is deeded Flowage Easement, meaning you own the land all the way to the water. No Corps of Enginee...
- 2496923 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Fully Furnished/Move in Ready Downtown Chapel Hill Contemporary Design Townhome in Quaint/Sought After Community. Features on Main Floor include Hardwood & Tile Flooring,...
- 1 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2499962 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Beautiful SW Durham townhome with lake views and open floor plan with easy access to the American Tobacco Trail and minutes from Southpoint Mall, RDU airport, DPAC and Du...
- 2 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2495256 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT ACREAGE overlooking the main channel of Kerr Lake. First time offering of this lake land tract. Build your home with privacy right here. DOCK SPOT has a SA...
- 2403682 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Escape to your own private oasis with this fantastic 4.14-acre lot fronting a beautiful lake and Marsh Creek. This rare gem is located just 10 minutes from downtown Ralei...
- 2500875 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Kerr Lake Region Historic home with about 15 ACRES . This pastoral setting consists of About 15 Acres with pastures, and woods bordering the Corps land.Restore the classi...
- 3 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2322527 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Luxurious Freshly painted spacious 3 bedroom 2.5 bath condo on the main floor. Absolutely NO STAIRS from parking lot to unit! Gorgeous dark hardwood floors throughout. F...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2473154 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE ACCESS ACREAGE:43+ Acres has over 1,000 feet in common with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land to Kerr Lake. DOCK with a SANDY SHORELINE overlooks the main b...
- 2427393 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Sweet Cape Cod in desirable Woodlake Estates. Gorgeous 1.89 acre lot with pond view on private road. Traditional floor plan with 3 bedrooms up and 1 down. Screened porch,...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2494498 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE WATERFRONT with room for entertaining! Customized 3 Bedroom,2.5 Bath Modular has 2,700 Sq Ft on the main level with gleaming Hardwood flooring, Vaulted Great Ro...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2459291 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Absolutely charming property! The parcel of land this home sits on is breathtaking and so hard to find in Raleigh! There is so much character but also so classic, the flo...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2493657 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Welcome to your Waterfront Residential New Home Construction Opportunity On Vacant Land - The Gaston by Caruso Homes! This PRESALE home to be is custom built. Spacious fa...
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 2483853 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Rare Beach Style New Construction Home in The Heart of The Triangle. This Property Boasts Over 800 ft of Water Frontage. Private Lake Iris ownership and Neuse River at Re...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2481493 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
SUNSETS over KERR LAKE from your "like new" Contemporary home on 2 ACRES. NEW U Shaped Aluma Dock with Lift (+ another Buoy permit). Enjoy lake vistas from every room! Ea...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2499364 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
5 Acres UNRESTRICTED! One of a kind lake property. A labor of love built this custom log home featuring two main floor bedrooms and two full baths plus a spacious loft w...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2485314 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Rare Find:2 acre park-like setting w/super easy access to Duke (4.8mi),downtown Durham& Chapel Hill. Thoughtfully designed, seamless flow with top notch materials, qualit...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2497003 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Don't miss this incredible opportunity for lake living in the heart of South Durham. This custom-built Goforth home in the highly desirable Marydell neighborhood is a con...
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2499553 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
AN ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE KERR LAKE HOUSE!! Over 5000 Sq Ft on three levels. Located in gated Somerset Plantation, one of the nicest communities on our lake. Great water...
- 4 Beds
- 6 Baths
- 2490503 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT CUSTOM HOME on a CUL-DE-SAC lot in the heart of desirable West Cary. Enjoy GORGEOUS VIEWS of Cary Park Lake from the main living areas of the home, t...
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2501428 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
138+ acres in ever expanding Chatham County will afford you the privacy you are looking for. Lots of wooded area, timber harvesting is possible. One pond on site with a...
- 2465555 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Amazing opportunity to call this spectacular Lake Forest home your own! Known as the Victor A. and Libby Geulach House and designed by renowned architect Arthur Cogswell....
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2486444 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Buy 1 Piece,12 Northern Acres, $3.4mil, or 2 Plats Attached, Proposed/Gated Community of ONLY Land on FALLS LAKE, GREAT VIEWS OF LAKE. Corp of Engineers has a narrow Stri...
- 2492716 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Nearly 13,000 SF of custom luxury in Cary’s exclusive Renaissance @ Regency Estates. Created by a dream team of esteemed architect, builder, interior designer & craftspeo...
- 6 Beds
- 9 Baths
- 2433250 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2023 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .