Lake Norman

Lake Norman SP https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-norman-state-park/home https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Norman_State_Park Lake Norman State Park is located on the northern shore of Lake Norman at the mouth of Hicks Creek near Troutman, Iredell County, North Carolina. Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Power, is the largest manmade body of fresh water in North Carolina. It is fed by the Catawba River. Lake Norman is sometimes referred to as the "inland sea"; it offers 520 miles (840 km) of shoreline and a surface area of more than 50 square miles (130 km2).

Activities The park has two islands that are heron rookeries, which are home to over 25 great blue heron nests. GPS: 35.672548, -80.9325 Lake Norman State Park 759 State Park Road Troutman, NC 28166 704-528-6350 lake.norman@ncparks.gov Many people believe there is a Loch Ness monster-like creature named Normie lurking in Lake Norman. The 33-acre Park Lake, which is separated from the larger Lake Norman by a dam, is a great place for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. The park offers a 125-yard sandy swim beach. Fun Facts ■■ The state park was established in 1962, when Duke Power Company donated 1,328 acres of land to the Division of Parks and Recreation. ■■ From 1959 to 1964, the company now known as Duke Energy built the Cowans Ford Dam across the Catawba River to generate hydroelectric power. This impoundment resulted in the creation of Lake Norman. Yellow Perch Bluegill ■■ Lake Norman was named after Norman Cocke, a former president of Duke Power. ■■ The park comprises about 17 miles of Lake Norman shoreline. ■■ The park was originally named Duke Power State Recreational Area, then Duke Power State Park, before finally being named Lake Norman State Park. Lake Norman, known as the “Inland Sea,” is the largest man-made lake within the state of North Carolina. ■■ The 30.5-mile Itusi Trail system was built in cooperation with the Tarheel Trailblazers, a local mountain biking group. ■■ The park also offers three hiking-only trails: the Alder Trail, Dragonfly Trail and Lake Shore Trail. ncparks.gov MNQPV Crappie Largemouth Bass Artifacts, such as arrowheads, have been found in the state park area, indicating the presence of the Catawba Indians, who made pottery from the red clay prevalent in the Catawba River Basin. 

Lake Norman State Park CAMPGROUND 0 237 Family Camp Circle, Statesville, NC 28677 GPS: 35.6468, -80.9421 lake.norman@ncparks.gov (704) 528-6350 170 340 To park entrance, swimming area and boat launch 510 feet 34 LA KE NO RM 1 AN 35 2 C6 C5 3 40 37 4 42 5 C1 27 Legend 6 32 C1 24 33 23 9 10 21 11 19 Roads Walkway 32 8 Hiking Only Trail Trash Bin 22 31 Dump Station Telephone C4 25 7 Campground Host Camper Cabin C3 29 30 33 Campsite C2 28 Accessible Bathhouse 43 41 39 26 44 36 38 12 15 20 17 18 13 14 16 Water Spigot 06/20 

159 Inland Sea Lane, Troutman, NC 28166 GPS: 35.6725480, -80.9325523 lake.norman@ncparks.gov 704-528-6350 Campsite Parking Area Community Building Phone Dumpster Restrooms Drinking Water Roads Hiking Trails Site B Group Camp Spur Trail Site C Site A Site D Site E Group Camp Lane 

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