Everyone knows the king of pancakes, the duke of French toast, the undisputed life-blood of Canada known as maple syrup, but how many have tasted or even imagined the other tree syrups? Birch syrup? Hickory syrup? Sycamore? Fuhgeddaboutit! Join Ranger Wade Engels as he leads a guided hike where southern syrups reign supreme. Learn the process of making your own syrups at home, from choosing the right trees all the way through bottling. This program will start at the Paddy’s Creek Area bathhouse breezeway at 10 a.m. Please dress for the weather forecast and be prepared to be outside for approximately two hours.
Events and Programs
7321 N.C. 126
Nebo, NC 28761
828-584-7728
lake.james@ncparks.gov
GPS: 35.750378, -81.892075
Day-use areas at Paddy's Creek and Catawba River:
December - February: 7am - 7pm
March, April & October: 7am - 9pm
May - September: 7am - 10pm
November: 7am - 8pm
Hidden Cove Boat Access Hours:
December - February: closed
March, April, & October: 7am - 8pm
May - September: 7am - 9pm
November: 7am - 7pm
All areas closed Christmas Day
Swim Area
10am - 6pm
May 1 through September 30
Mountain Bike Trails Open
Mountain bike trails, including the Linville River Fonta Flora access, are open today, January 22. Please note that the directions have changed. The Wimba Trail is now counterclockwise, and the Tindo Trail is now clockwise.
If the date is more than 24 hours old, please call the park office at 828-584-7728 for the latest information.
Hidden Cove Boat Access Closed
The Hidden Cove Access Area closed for the season on December 1 and will reopen on March 1, 2020. The Canal Bridge Access remains open with 24 hours daily, throughout the year. Please contact the park at 828-584-7728 or lake.james@ncparks.gov with any questions.
New Gate Hours 7 am - 7 pm
New gate hours are now in effect for December 1 through February 29. The park opens at 7 am, and gates close at 7 pm. The park will be closed on Christmas Day.
Please contact the park office at 828-584-7728 or lake.james@ncparks.gov with any questions.
Last updated on: Tuesday, December 3, 2019Scheduled events
Lake James State Park offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages. Typically led by park rangers, these interpretive programs allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful.
Most of the events are free, though some require pre-registration. All give park visitors deeper insight into the natural world. Call the park office for more information.
Date of Event:
Sat, 01/25/2020 - 10:00am
Start Location:
Paddy's Creek Area bathhouse breezeway
Stark winter light might be vibrant or subdued for this guided photography hike along the Holly Discovery Trail. Shutterbugs of all skill levels are welcome to join Park Ranger Jamie Cameron, whose former career as a photojournalist and newspaper editor has equipped him with some helpful tips on composition – whether you shoot with a phone or a large format SLR. We’ll meet at the Holly Discovery Trail parking lot at the Paddy’s Creek Area at 10 a.m.
Date of Event:
Sat, 01/25/2020 - 10:00am
Start Location:
Holly Discovery Trail
Many species of waterfowl, including ducks, grebes, loons and cormorants spend the winter months on Lake James and now you have an opportunity to observe them in their element. Ranger Jamie Cameron will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for birds. The weather could be blustery, so be sure to dress warmly if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet your captain at the Paddy's Creek Area, East Picnic Shelter at 10:45 a.m. for a briefing prior to departure promptly at 11 o’clock.
Date of Event:
Sun, 01/26/2020 - 10:45am
Start Location:
Paddy's Creek Area East Picnic Shelter
Park Ranger Jamie Cameron will be meeting a group of adventurous hikers to the Old Catawba River to search for aquatic plants, animals, insects and birds. The wetland habitat in this area is rich in biodiversity and rarely visited by humans. Meet Ranger Cameron at the Canal Bridge Boat Access on NC 126 at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. carpool caravan to the site.
Date of Event:
Sat, 02/08/2020 - 9:45am
Start Location:
Canal Bridge Boat Access
Everyone knows the king of pancakes, the duke of French toast, the undisputed life-blood of Canada known as maple syrup, but how many have tasted or even imagined the other tree syrups? Birch syrup? Hickory syrup? Sycamore? Fuhgeddaboutit! Join Ranger Wade Engels as he leads a guided hike where southern syrups reign supreme. Learn the process of making your own syrups at home, from choosing the right trees all the way through bottling. This program will start at the Paddy’s Creek Area bathhouse breezeway at 10 a.m. Please dress for the weather forecast and be prepared to be outside for approximately two hours.
Date of Event:
Sat, 02/08/2020 - 10:00am
Start Location:
Paddy's Creek Area bathhouse breezway
Park Maps and Brochures:
