The gated resort community of Lake Royale surrounds a 345-acre manmade lake of the same name, providing waterfront living and outdoor recreation approximately 40 minutes northeast of Raleigh. The homes in Lake Royale and the surrounding community feature a wide range of housing options and amenities, with proximity to a variety of outdoor attractions.

Real Estate in Lake Royale

Lake Royale homes surround Lake Royale and Cypress Creek, a tributary of the Tar River. Lake Royale real estate covers a range of price points depending on amenities and proximity to the lakefront. Single-family homes in Lake Royale are available from affordable to luxury price points. Many lots and land around Lake Royale are also available, most for below $50,000 except those with direct lake access. The west side of the lake offers direct access to Baptist Church Road, which connects to state roads in nearby Bunn, NC.

Things to do in Lake Royale

Lake Royale offers 11 miles of shoreline, making it a mid-sized North Carolina lake and a center for waterfront recreation in Franklin County, NC. Residents and visitors enjoy a variety of water sports, including boating, fishing, and swimming. Lake Royale waterfront homes are extremely desirable, providing lake views and immediate access to the water’s edge.

The Lake Royale community offers a variety of recreational amenities for residents, including a swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, an outdoor pavilion for gatherings, parks, playgrounds, and an outdoor fitness park. There is a lakeside clubhouse that is perfect for meetings and community events. Residents also enjoy access to two beaches, numerous docks, and boat launches. A nearby campground is outfitted for large RVs or motor homes. A public-access 18-hole golf facility called The River Golf Course is situated at The River entrance. The golf club also features a driving range and pro shop.

Lake Royale is just a couple miles from US Hwy 64, which connects to the interstate system. The nearby cities and towns of Raleigh and Wake Forest to the west and Rocky Mount to the east provide a wide range of shopping, dining, art, entertainment, health care, and other amenities. Closer to home, the small towns of Bunn, Spring Hope, and Louisburg are frequent destinations. Bunn is home to several local farm-to-table restaurants, including The Farmer’s Kitchen, Levy’s Soul Cafe, and Rustic Roots. 

Vollmer Farm is a working farm and local tourist attraction. The farm features a market and cafe that serves seasonal house-made ice cream, coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods. Greenhouse-grown and field-grown produce is available at the market year round. Each summer, Vollmer Farm hosts the popular Blueberry Music Festival.

Nearby Schools and Higher Education

The Lake Royale community is nearest to the Bunn school district. Bunn Elementary, Bunn Middle, and Bunn High schools are within several miles of the lake. Also in Bunn are several pre-schools and head start programs, including Bunn Head Start, New Beginnings Preschool, and Widewaters Learning Center. Calvary Christian School is a private Christian school for grades K–12. The nearest colleges are several miles north in Louisburg: Louisburg College and Vance-Granville Community College. 

History

Before the lake there was the Seven Paths farming community. In the early 1970s, purchased land along the banks of Cypress Creek was cleared and a dam constructed. Originally called Lake Sagimore, the name was changed in 1977 when the lake and surrounding property was purchased by the National American Corporation (NACO). The back nine holes of the golf course opened for play in 1987, while the front nine were completed in the spring of 1990. 

Today, the 345-acre Lake Royale has a length of 3.25 miles and a maximum lake depth of 30 feet. The overall property of the community encompasses about 3,000 acres surrounding the lake, which includes more than 1,000 residential structures, about 3,500 residential parcels, and 2,500 multi-use parcels.