Lake James State Park, North Carolina - Camping & Campgrounds

Lake James State Park Reservations: Choose one of the facility options below to view availability and start making your reservation.

This facility offers the following options. Please select one to proceed.

Lake James State Park, North Carolina - Camping & Campgrounds

Lake James State Park Reservations: Choose one of the facility options below to view availability and start making your reservation.

This facility offers the following options. Please select one to proceed.

AttentionThe Long Arm Boat-in sites require boats to access

Business rules for Holiday Weekends

Holiday booking date rules are as follows:
2 nights Minimum Stay on holiday weekend (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday)
2 nights Minimum Stay still apply to cabin rentals at Hanging Rock and Morrow Mountain State Parks
1 night Minimum Stay on holiday weekend if the booking dates within 7 Days before Arrival Date

Rule applies to the following holiday weekends:
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day

2 Alerts Tap to close

AttentionThe Long Arm Boat-in sites require boats to access

Tucked into the rolling hill country at the base of mighty Linville Gorge is Lake James, a sprawling 6,812-acre reservoir with more than 150 miles of shoreline. This impressive waterway is the centerpiece of Lake James State Park, where nature offers scenic vistas of the Appalachian Mountain range and beckons those with an appetite for outdoor recreation.

Description

Recreation

Bring family and friends to one of North Carolina's most popular state parks for a variety of activities. Go swimming, sunbathing or enjoy a quiet picnic along the lakeshore. Boat, water ski or fish in the lake's cool mountain waters or take a walk on the wild side and enjoy the beautiful forest wildflowers and abundant wildlife along park trails. Of course, you just may find that your favorite thing to do at Lake James is simply relaxing.

Facilities

Facilities include a 700-foot swim beach, bathhouse, picnic areas, camping areas, hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing piers.

Activities and Amenities

Directions

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude)

35.72871, -81.90112

35°43'43.36"N, 81°54'4.04"W

Lake James State Park is located in Burke and McDowell counties, five miles northeast of Marion on NC 126.
To get to the Paddy's Creek Area of Lake James State Park:

Traveling east on I-40: From I-40, take the Nebo/Lake James exit (exit 90) and head north. After a half mile, turn right onto Harmony Grove Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stoplight. Proceed straight across the intersection and past Nebo Elementary School to a stop sign. Turn right onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 4.8 miles on the right.
Traveling west on I-40: From I-40, take the Dysartsville/Lake James exit (exit 94) and head north for 0.5 mile to a stop sign. Turn left onto US 70 and follow it for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Bridgewater Road and travel 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Benfield's Landing Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stop sign. Turn right onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 0.7 miles on the right.

To get to the Catawba River Area of Lake James State Park:

Traveling east on I-40: From I-40, take the Nebo/Lake James exit (exit 90) and head north. After a half mile, turn right onto Harmony Grove Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stoplight. Proceed straight across the intersection and past Nebo Elementary School to a stop sign. Turn right onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 2.3 miles on the left.
Traveling west on I-40: From I-40, take the Dysartsville/Lake James exit (exit 94) and head north for 0.5 miles to a stop sign. Turn left onto US 70 and follow it for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Bridgewater Road and travel 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Benfield's Landing Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stop sign. Turn left onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 1.7 miles on the right.

To get to the Long Arm Boat-in Campground at Lake James State Park:

The Long Arm Boat-in Campground is only accessible by boats, not vehicles.
By power boat: Launch from the Canal Bridge Public Boat Ramp located 1.7 miles southwest of the Paddy’s Creek Area entrance on NC 126. Overnight parking is free and does not require a permit. (Overnight parking is not permitted at the Hidden Cove Public Boat Ramp.)
By canoe or kayak: Launch from the Paddy’s Creek Day-use Area, located at the end of Lake James State Park Road. Obtain a free overnight parking pass for the vehicle’s dashboard, park in the top tier of the lot, and paddle to the campsite. Campers can also launch from the Canal Bridge Public Boat Ramp located 1.7 miles southwest of the Paddy’s Creek Area entrance on NC 126.

Contact Information

Additional Information

NOTE : Gate access for campers
Gates will be locked at posted times. Campers may obtain after-hours access by request or by referencing the combination code provided on their confirmation or receipt.
All visitors not spending the night will need to be out by closing time. If you have an emergency, call 911 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and construction projects, visitor restrictions and park status may change. Please check our website, www.ncparks.gov/lake-james-state-park/home, for more updates. Mailing Address
Lake James State Park
PO Box 340
Nebo NC 28761
Physical Address : Paddys Creek Access
Lake James State Park
7321 NC Highway 126
Nebo NC 28761
Physical Address : Catawba River Access
Lake James State Park
2785 NC Highway 126
Nebo NC 28761

Lake James State Park camping trips are easy to plan with ReserveAmerica. Lake James State Park campground reservations can be made online. Click one of the links below to see available campsites at Lake James State Park or day pass availability.

Book a Campsite or a Day Use Site | Book an Hourly Site

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