Available Camping Facilities
Paddy's Creek Access Only
The Paddy's Creek access has 33 drive-in sites that are perfect with families with lots of camping gear. These sites are open to a maximum of 6 people per campsite.
Each campsite has parking for two vehicles adjacent to the camping pad. Each site's driveway is 20 feet long.
The campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. The tent pad measures 12 feet by 12 feet.
Potable faucets are located throughout the camping area. There is a centrally located bathhouse with toilets and hot showers that is open 24/7.
Sites 13 and 14 are accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Catawba River Access Only
Twenty walk-in sites are located along or near the shoreline at the Catawba River access. There is a maximum of 6 people per site occupancy.
After parking in the centrally located lot, campers must hike 150 to 300 yards to their campsite. The trail to campground includes an elevation change of about 100 feet. Campers are encouraged to pack lightly.
Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. The tent pad measure 17 feet by 16 feet.
Potable water faucets are located throughout the camping area. A bathhouse with toilets and hot showers is open 24/7 near the parking area.
Sites 19 and 20 are accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. These sites can be driven to if needed. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Long Arm Peninsula
There are 30 campsites on the Long Arm Peninsula available for paddle-in camping, accessibly only by boat. You cannot hike or drive to these sites. The sites are 20 to 150 feet from the shoreline.
Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a 24 feet by 16 feet tent pad.
There is no running water at the paddle-in camping area. Campers must bring their own water for drinking and washing dishes, etc. There are toilet facilities strategically located throughout the camping area.
Lake James State Park may have canoes and kayaks available to rent to access the paddle-in campsites. Please call the park before you arrive to check availability.
Campers who are bringing their own paddling equipment can park overnight at Paddy's Creek access — please obtain an overnight parking pass at the park office, fill it out completely, and display it on your vehicle dashboard. If you have a motorized boat, you can park overnight at the Canal Bridge Boat Ramp, which has 24/7 access.
Reservations are required for the paddle-in sites. You must make the reservation prior to arriving.
Volunteer as a Campground Host
Campground hosts "live in" the park and assist park staff in maintaining the campgrounds and in serving campers. They typically answer questions, provide directions to local amenities, and inform campers of the rules and hours of the campground. They may also help register campers when the visitor center or park office is closed for the day, or they may sell firewood.
Campground hosts serve as the point of contact between campers and on-call rangers. They would report incidents, suspicious behavior, and other situations that may need to be addressed by staff.
Campground hosts serve as volunteers, so they do not get paid. A volunteer work schedule will be arranged with the park's host coordinating ranger. Those interested in serving as campground hosts should be willing to work flexible hours and be prepared to work on weekends and holidays.
Hosts will stay on the host campsite free of charge. Campground hosts serve for 1 month.
Hosts need to be willing to learn about the operations and general information about the park and the local area, in order to effectively assist campers. They must follow and comply with all North Carolina State Parks rules and regulations.
Hosts with pets are permitted, but they must follow pet rules at all times: dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and they must be kept in the host's vehicle during quiet hours.