Winter storm: Park closures
Posted on: Saturday, December 8, 2018 - 10:27am |
History
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Lake James State Park is currently CLOSED due to hazardous road conditions. Please do not attempt to park at locked gates and walk in. Staff need to access the park and any vehicles parked at or blocking gates will be issued citations. Please be patient as we work diligently to clear the roads. We will open them as soon as we feel we can safely do so. Thank you for your cooperation. Be safe.
The Canal Bridge Access Area and boat ramps will be closed the week of December 17, 2018, for courtesy dock improvement. The site is expected to reopen by December 22.
The Hidden Cove Access Area and boat ramps will continue to operate under normal gate hours during this time. Please contact the park at 828-584-7728 or lake.james@ncparks.gov with any questions.
Posted on: Thursday, December 6, 2018The Lake Channel Overlook trail is closed from the campground bathhouse out to the overlook during renovations. early December. The Fishing Pier has re-opened. Please call the park office at 828-584-7728 with any questions.
Posted on: Wednesday, December 5, 2018Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, between the towns of Marion and Morganton, Lake James is 1,200 feet above sea level. The lake was created between 1916 and 1923 with the construction of dams across the Catawba River and two tributaries, Paddy Creek and Linville River. These impoundments were connected by a broad canal to form a 6,812-acre body of water. Named for James B. Duke, founder of Duke Power Company, Lake James has been a hydroelectric unit for the power company since the early 1900s.
Lake James is one of the most recent additions to the North Carolina State Parks system. A result of strong local support and the efforts of area legislative delegations, the park was established in 1987 by the North Carolina General Assembly. Funds were appropriated for the purchase of 565 acres of land and for the initial phase of facility development. Lake James was the first park in the state's history to receive funds for development and operation upon its acquisition.
Lake James State Park
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