Lake James State Park is located in Burke and McDowell Counties, North Carolina. It covers 3,743 acres (15.15 km2) and borders 6,510-acre (26 km2) of Lake James.
Along with boating, swimming and fishing in the beautiful, clear waters of the 6,812-acre lake, there are 25 miles of trails, 15 of which are open to mountain biking. Trails vary from the short, educational Holly Discovery Trail with child-friendly activities, to the more adventurous, historic section of the Overmountain Victory Trail.
There are three campgrounds. The Catawba River Area has 20 walk-in campsites, many of which offer lake views. The Paddy’s Creek Area has 33 drive-to, family-friendly campsites. The remote boat-in campground on the Long Arm Peninsula offers a true outdoor adventure for those willing to paddle or steer their canoes, kayaks or powerboats to their own slice of heaven. Boat ramps at Hidden Cove and Canal Bridge on NC 126 are located between the park’s two day-use areas. And, canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at the Paddy’s Creek Area concession stand from May through September.
Official Visitor Map of Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (NHT) in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of the Grandfather Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Guide to North Carolina State Parks. Published by North Carolina State Parks.
Lake James SP
https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-james-state-park/home
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_James_State_Park
Lake James State Park is located in Burke and McDowell Counties, North Carolina. It covers 3,743 acres (15.15 km2) and borders 6,510-acre (26 km2) of Lake James.
Along with boating, swimming and fishing in the beautiful, clear waters of the 6,812-acre lake, there are 25 miles of trails, 15 of which are open to mountain biking. Trails vary from the short, educational Holly Discovery Trail with child-friendly activities, to the more adventurous, historic section of the Overmountain Victory Trail.
There are three campgrounds. The Catawba River Area has 20 walk-in campsites, many of which offer lake views. The Paddy’s Creek Area has 33 drive-to, family-friendly campsites. The remote boat-in campground on the Long Arm Peninsula offers a true outdoor adventure for those willing to paddle or steer their canoes, kayaks or powerboats to their own slice of heaven. Boat ramps at Hidden Cove and Canal Bridge on NC 126 are located between the park’s two day-use areas. And, canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at the Paddy’s Creek Area concession stand from May through September.
Lake James
TRAILS
State Park
Paddy’s Creek Area Hiking Trails
Holly Discovery Trail
▲ red
easy
0.75 mile
Overmountain Victory Trail
▲ white
moderate
2.0 miles
Paddy’s Creek Trail
▲ orange
moderate
1.0 mile
ON THE WATER
Homestead Trail
▲▲ blue/white
easy
0.5 mile
Mill’s Creek Trail
▲ blue
moderate
3.6 miles
Swimming is permitted in the Paddy’s Creek Area within the
designated swimming area. The swimming area is open May 1
through Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. A fee is charged for adults
and children.
Paddy’s Creek Area Biking Trails
Upper Tindo Loop
● blue
easy
1.4 miles
Lower Tindo Loop
● blue
easy
1.4 miles
Boating: Stand-up paddleboards, canoes and kayaks may be rented
for a fee from the concession stand in the Paddy’s Creek Area, which is
open seasonally. Two boat ramps, Hidden Cove and Canal Bridge, offer
boater access to Lake James. The Hidden Cove boat ramp is operated
according to park hours and must be vacated by closing time and is
closed during the winter months. The boat ramp at Canal Bridge is
open 24 hours a day, throughout the year.
West Wimba Loop
● orange
moderate
6.0 miles
East Wimba Loop
● red
moderate
4.4 miles
moderate
6.8 miles
easy
0.3 mile
ACTIVITIES
PARK INFORMATION
Lake James State Park
7321 N.C. 126
Nebo, NC 28761
Office: 828-584-7728
GPS: 35.0378, -81.892075
lake.james@ncparks.gov
Please visit the North Carolina State Parks website
or contact the park office for the most current
information about seasonal hours, activities, alerts,
camping fees, programs, rules and weather.
AT A GLANCE
Fishing: The cool flow into the depths of Lake James, creating a
perfect environment for the many game fish that swim here. Cast your
line in the cool mountain waters of the Linville and Catawba rivers to
catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie,
bluegill, redbreast sunfish, muskellunge, carp and perch. A fishing
license is required, and all anglers must adhere to the regulations of the
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
CAMPING
Established: 1987
Landmark: Paddy’s Creek bridge, a wooden, arched
bridge with great views of the sunrise
You can find...bald eagles: Lake James hosts a
healthy population of eagles throughout the year,
including a nest site that has been active for more
than a decade.
Trails: 14 trails
›› 1 Kids TRACK trail – Overmountain Victory Trail
›› 32.6 miles of hiking
›› 20 miles of biking
Accesses: Paddy’s Creek, Catawba River and Fonta
Flora State Trail
Lake James State Park offers three tent camping areas. The Catawba
River Area has 20 walk-in campsites, many of which offer lake views.
The Paddy’s Creek Area has 33 drive-to campsites. The remote boatin campground on the Long Arm Peninsula offers a true outdoor
adventure for those willing to paddle or steer their canoes, kayaks or
powerboats to their own slice of heaven. Visit the website or contact
the park office for more information about amenities, facilities, and
accessible campsites.
PICNICKING
You bring the food and we’ll supply the atmosphere. There are picnic
areas available on a first-come, first-served basis at both the Catawba
River and Paddy’s Creek areas of Lake James State Park. Picnic sites
include tables, outdoor grills and trash and recycling receptacles.
Drinking water and restrooms are located within a short walk of all
picnic sites. Three large picnic shelters can accommodate up to 100
people and are available by reservation or first-come, first-serve.
Fonta Flora State Trail
red-orange
Catawba River Area Hiking Trails
Fishing Pier
■ blue
Fox Den Loop
▲ orange
moderate
2.25 miles
Lake Channel Overlook
◆ red
moderate
1.5 miles
Sandy Cliff Overlook
● white
easy
0.5 mile
FLORA AND FAUNA
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Deer
Flying squirrel
Red fox
Rabbit
Muskrat
Mink
Eastern box turtle
Red salamander
Tree frogs
Fence lizard
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Green heron
Belted kingfisher
Pileated wookdpecker
Bald eagle
Pink lady slipper
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Passion flower
Indian pipe
Mountain laurel
Flame azalea
Paddy’s Creek Area
126
Enlarged
East Wimba
Loop
Paddy’s Creek Area
NC
126
Lake James
North
Catawba River Area
0
2,000
4,000 Feet
West Wimba
Loop
09/15
Upper
Tindo
Loop
Legend
Biking Trail
Hiking Trail
Hospital - 911
McDowell 828-659-5000
Morganton 828-580-5000
Park Boundary
Parking
Roads
North
0
500
1,000
Lower
Tindo
Loop
Trails
Paddy’s Creek Area
Homestead
Upper Tindo Loop
Lower Tindo Loop
West Wimba Loop
East Wimba Loop
2,000 feet
Homestead
blaze
difficulty
distance
Blue/White
Blue
Blue
Orange
Red
easy
easy
easy
moderate
moderate
0.7 mi.
1.4 mi.
1.4 mi.
6.0 mi.
4.4 mi.
Lak
eC
han
2785 NC 126, Nebo, NC 28761
GPS: 35.728710,-81.901123
lake.james@ncparks.gov (828) 584-7728
nel
Ove
rloo
k
LAKE JAMES
Accessible
10
Host Campsite
1
2
11
Firewood
rlo
Park Boundary
3
ok
12
Tr
a
il
HC
5
4
Bathhouse
Campsites
6
9
Amphitheater
20
7
8
ne
17
20 19
Point of Interest
Roads
Boat Dock
Trails
La
ke
16
an
15
Ch
14
Parking
lO
ve
13
18
HC
Trash Bin
Water Spigot
North
Lake C
hannel
0
75
150
300
450
Feet
Overlo
ok Tra
il
10/13
Long Arm Paddle-In Campground
L02
L04
L01
Long Arm
Camping Area 1
L03
L10
L05
L06
L11
L12
L13
L15
L07
L01
Campsite
Restrooms
Roads
Water
L09
Long Arm
Camping Area 2
L14
L16
L17
L21
L18 L20
L19
LEGEND
L08
L22
Long Arm
Camping Area 3
L30
L29
L23
L24
L25
L28
L27
L26
Pettigrew State Park
South Mountains State Park – 2018 Park of the Year
Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation manages more
than 234,000 acres of iconic landscape across our state in our
parks, recreation areas and natural areas with a mission dedicated
to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system
welcomed more than 19 million visitors in 2017.
Discover More with a Ranger
Across North Carolina, state park rangers are proud of our parks
and eager to welcome you and your family. Come to our parks
to marvel at our state’s most beautiful natural resources, enjoy
your favorite outdoor activities and learn about the rich science,
culture and history that make our parks great.
Fun facts about North Carolina State Parks
■■ There are 41 places to visit, including 34 parks, four
recreation areas and three staffed state natural areas.
■■ The Division manages four state rivers, seven state lakes
and six state trails.
■■ There are about 581 miles of trail to explore in our parks.
■■ The
first state park created was Mount Mitchell State Park
on March 3, 1915. Fort Macon State Park was the second.
■■ The Division celebrated 100 years of being Naturally
Wonderful in 2016.
■■ Parks that welcome over 1 million visitors annually include:
Jockey’s Ridge, Fort Macon and William B. Umstead state
parks and Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state
recreation areas.
■■ The Division employs over 1,000 people across the state.
■■ Some
www.ncparks.gov
M N P Q
Roy Cooper
Governor
unique activities you can do in our parks include:
wind surfing and hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park,
cross country skiing and snow shoeing at Elk Knob State
Park, driving on the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher
State Recreation Area and rock climbing at Chimney Rock,
Crowders Mountain, Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain and
Stone Mountain state parks.
Susi H. Hamilton
Secretary
75,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $10,707.92 or $0.14 each. 03/18
Did you know that many plants atop Mount Mitchell are rare
in North Carolina but common in Quebec? That the giant
sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge are constantly moving? Do you
know how to safely hold a crayfish? From fishing lessons to
astronomy programs and tree identification hikes to guided
paddles, parks offer programs for all ages. Visit our website for a
list of upcoming programs at each park.
Junior Rangers
The Junior Ranger program offers educational and skill-based
activities to encourage children to explore the outdoors. Children
can complete activity guides, geared for ages 6-12, and attend
ranger programs to earn a junior ranger patch unique to each
park. Ask about the program at a park office or download the
guide at: www.ncparks.gov/junior-rangers.
Environmental Education Learning Experiences
Parks have their own curriculum guides that are correlated to
the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Competency goals
in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language
arts are available. Each program includes pre-visit, on-site and
post-visit student activities that have measurable objectives,
background information, vocabulary, references and step-bystep activity instructions.
Passport Program
How many state parks can you visit? Use your passport as a guide
and collect stamps, earn prizes and make “Naturally Wonderful”
memories! Pick up your passport at a state park near you.
North Carolina State Parks 100-Mile Challenge
Can you hike, bike or paddle 100 miles in
a year? Join the N.C. State Parks’ 100-Mile
Challenge and log your miles online to earn
digital badges and redeem prizes as you reach
various milestones! This is a great way to get
outside, get moving and keep track of your
activity. Visit www.nc100miles.org to sign up.
■■ Several parks have educational trails, called TRACK trails, that
include activities for children to complete along the way.
William B. Umstead State Park
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Friends Of State Parks
Join the Friends of State Parks to help support, promote
and advocate for the parks system as a whole, or join the
friends group of your favorite park. The group helps provide
funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks – Environmental
Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects.
You can also make a donation to help keep our parks around
for future generations. Learn more at www.ncfsp.org or
www.ncparks.gov/support-your-parks.
Merchandise
Want to show your N.C. State Parks pride? Visit the online
webstore and purchase products such as coffee mugs, prints,
t-shirts, pins, patches and Christmas ornaments. This exclusive
merchandise makes a great gift for special state parks fans,
including yourself. www.ncparkstore.com
N.C. State Parks License Plate
Show your support for state parks every time you drive your
vehicle! Purchase an N.C. State Parks license plate through the
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicl