ALL NORTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS: GENERAL STATUS OF FACILITIES AND GUIDELINES WHEN VISITING PARKS
Posted on: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 2:15pm |
Activities
The following campgrounds are open: Crosswinds campground loops A, B and C; Parkers Creek campground loops 1 and 2; and Poplar Point campground loops B, C, F, G, H and J. Boat ramps inside camping facilities will be open for campers only. All camping will be by advance reservations only. No first-come, first-serve walk-in camping. Camping will be restricted and the following rules will be enforced: No day visitors permitted; two vehicles per site: no firewood sales; all beach areas will be closed; gates open at 8:00am and lock at 10:00pm; there will be no 24-hour gate access and gate hours are strictly enforced. Shower houses are available, but comfort stations will be closed.
New Hope Overlook boat ramp, New Hope Overlook hiking trail and Seaforth boat ramp are open. To ease traffic and parking congestion at New Hope and Seaforth boat ramps, only vehicles hauling boats or jet skis will be permitted to access the boat ramp area. No single vehicles will be allowed, if you are planning to meet with someone who has a boat or jet ski, work out a method of carpooling before arriving. An entrance fee of $7 per vehicle ($5 for senior citizens and veterans/military) and $20 per bus/van will be collected for any vehicle that enters New Hope Overlook and Seaforth. Gates open at 8:00am and lock at 9:00pm. The fee is charged every day until Labor Day. During the month of September, the fee is charged on weekends only until the last weekend in September.
Robeson Creek canoe access and boat ramp are also open.
The following facilities will remain CLOSED during PHASE TWO (May 22 - July 16): Visitor center, Ebenezer boat ramp and day-use area, Seaforth day-use area, Parkers Creek day-use area, Vista Point and White Oak. These closures include all hiking trails with the exception of New Hope Overlook. All beach areas, picnic areas, picnic shelters, group campsites, primitive campsites and boat ramps** at these listed accesses are closed.
**with the exception of boat ramps at campgrounds, New Hope Overlook, Robeson Creek and Seaforth
PHASE THREE: ( Reopening tentative date July 17 )
Full reopening of park facilities closed during earlier phases, including: visitor center; Ebenezer boat ramp and day-use area; Seaforth day-use area; New Hope Overlook primitive campsites; Parkers Creek day-use area; Vista Point; and White Oak. All hiking trails, all picnic areas, all picnic shelters, all boat ramps, all beach areas, group campsites, Poplar Point campground loop E, and Parkers Creek campground loops 3 and 4 will be open.
Please note that Poes Ridge boat ramp, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Farrington Point boat ramp, managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, are both currently open. Please check with those agencies for the most up-to-date information regarding those facilities.
Last updated on: Friday, July 3, 2020Due to changes to our operating procedures, strict implementation of the 3pm check out and 4pm check in times associated with campsites will begin on June 19, 2020.
Last updated on: Friday, June 19, 2020
Contact the park
919-362-0586
jordan.lake@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Visitor center
280 State Park Road
Apex, NC 27523
GPS: 35.7355, -79.0165
Crosswinds campground
389 Farrington Road
Apex, NC 27502
GPS: 35.7420, -79.0021
Ebenezer Church
2582 Beaver Creek Road
Apex, NC 27502
GPS: 35.7082, -79.0157
New Hope Overlook
339 W.H. Jones Road
New Hill, NC 27562
GPS: 35.6772, -79.0454
Parkers Creek campground
Parkers Creek Beach Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
GPS: 35.7381, -79.0410
Poplar Point campground
558 Beaver Creek Road
Apex, NC 27502
GPS: 35.7289, -79.0044
Seaforth
Seaforth Beach Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
GPS: 35.7354, -79.0380
Vista Point campground
2498 N. Pea Ridge Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
GPS: 35.7094, -79.0592
White Oak recreation area
White Oak Beach Road
Apex, NC 27523
GPS: 35.7384, -79.0122
Hours
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- November to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- May to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- September to October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- PLEASE NOTE: Jordan Lake's day-use area gates and campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted before or after posted gate hours, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.
►
- November to February:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
8:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- PLEASE NOTE: Jordan Lake's day-use area gates and campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted before or after posted gate hours, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.
►
- November to February:
Monday to Friday only:
8:00am to 4:30pm
- June to August:
Open daily:
8:00am to 4:30pm
- In 2020, the visitor center is closed on November 26 and 27, December 24 to 28, and New Year's Day
Operating season
Things to do
Hiking
The park is a great place for a hike! See the Trails page for more information.
Accessible Activities
Persons with disabilities will find access to a wide range of recreational facilities, including accessible picnic shelters, swim beaches, campsites, and courtesy docks. Most parking lots have special spaces available, and the restrooms are accessible as well. Accessible camping is available at Parker's Creek, Poplar Point, and Crosswinds campgrounds. Accessible group camping is available at both Vista Point and Parker's Creek group camps. The beaches at Ebenezer and Seaforth are accessible, and all the campground beaches are accessible as well. Park staff will guide you to facilities best suited to your needs.
Bald Eagle Watching
On your next visit to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, see if you can spot our national symbol, the bald eagle, soaring over the waters of Jordan Lake. As Jordan Lake supports the largest concentration of bald eagles in the eastern United States, these majestic birds can often be spotted soaring over the lake in search of fish and other prey.
Though bald eagles are active throughout the daylight hours, the chances of observing an eagle are best during the early morning hours or late in the day. The best time of year for observing eagles around Jordan Lake is during the spring migration northward, generally April, May and June. Areas that offer a wide view of the lake are your best choices. These would include Vista Point, Ebenezer and Seaforth recreation areas.
Boating
Each recreation area has boat-launching ramps providing easy entry to the water. Boat ramps and courtesy docks located at Ebenezer Church and Robeson Creek recreation areas are open 24 hours per day.
All other boat ramps are open during park hours, and visitors must exit the park before the park's closing time. Boating facilities open during park hours include six boat ramps at New Hope Overlook. Seaforth offers six both ramps and Vista Point offers four boat ramps. Boat ramps at day-use areas are open to the public. Crosswinds and Poplar Point campgrounds offer boat ramps and courtesy docks for campers only. Parker's Creek has a small boat ramp for campers only. The Parker's Creek boat ramp has very limited parking and does not have courtesy docks.
Be cautious of underwater hazards such as stumps, logs and rocks. The Uniform Waterway Marker System has been installed for your safety and convenience. Obey all buoys and markers.
Test your sailing skills on Jordan Lake. The most popular area for sailing is Vista Point while windsurfers enjoy Ebenezer Church. Wind speed information can be obtained by dialing 919-387-5969.
The nearby, privately-owned Crosswinds Boating Center rents kayaks and pontoon boats. For more information about the marina and its services, call 919-387-7011.
Check lake levels at the US Army Corps of Engineers website.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular sport on the lake. Underwater stumps, logs and rocks help create the perfect environment for bass, crappie, catfish and pan fish. A state fishing license is required, and rules of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission must be obeyed.
Area Attractions
Learn more about area attractions at the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau.
