History
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Campground Hosts
Lake James State Park is looking for individuals or couples to serve as “live-in” host at park campground. Register campers, provide information and explain rules and regulations. Perform light maintenance work around the campground such as picking up litter, cleaning and stocking toilet facilities, cleaning campsites and selling firewood. This position requires working weekends, holidays and evening hours. Your campsite, with full RV hook-ups, provided free of charge while you volunteer. For more information contact Ranger Jamie Cameron at 828-584-7728.
The swim beach is open daily from 10 am until 6 pm, now through September 30. There will be a fee when lifeguards are on duty $5 for ages 13 and up; $4 for ages 3-12.
Starting in August the Concession Stand will only be open Friday through Tuesday from 10 am until 6 pm (closed on Wednesday and Thursday). Canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals will be available from 10 am until 4:30 pm when the Concession Stand is open. Boat rental fees are $5.00 per hour.
Posted on: Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - 7:41amThe mountain bike trails at Lake James are OPEN today. The direction of the mountain bike trails was changed on July 1st. The Wimba trails are going in a counter clockwise direction and Tindo trails are going in a clockwise direction. Please contact the park for the most up-to-date trail status.
Posted on: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 - 9:17amLocated 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