Status of Park Facilities at Lake James State Park

Lake James State Park has reopened most facilities, but there are some ongoing closures due to Hurricane Helene damage. Park staff are conducting assessments at the Paddy's Creek swim beach area to determine a reopening timeline.

Visitors should pay close attention to onsite signage and not attempt to access areas that remain closed. Facilities that remain closed continue to have major safety hazards.

Open

  • Most Paddy's Creek hiking trails:
    • Holly Discovery Trail
    • Overmountain Victory Trail (a footbridge on the southern leg closed for repairs prior to the hurricane)
    • Paddy's Creek Trail
    • Homestead Trail
  • Most Paddy's Creek mountain bike trails:
    • Upper Tindo Loop
    • Lower Tindo Loop
    • West Wimba Loop
    • South Wimba Trail
    • Fonta Flora State Trail
  • All Catawba River hiking trails:
    • Fishing Pier Path
    • Fox Den Loop
    • Lake Channel Overlook Trail
    • Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail
  • Most camping facilities:
    • Paddy's Creek drive-in tent campground
    • Long Arm Peninsula paddle-in campground areas 1 and 2
    • Catawba River walk-in tent campground (except campsite 4)
  • Fishing:
    • Catawba River fishing pier
    • From the shoreline
  • Boat ramp:
    • Canal Bridge boat ramp
  • Picnicking
    • Catawba River shelter
    • Catawba River picnic area 

Closed

  • At Paddy's Creek:
    • Mill's Creek Trail
    • East Wimba Loop Trail
    • Swim beach
    • Boat rentals
    • Fishing pier
    • Picnic area
    • Picnic shelters
    • Courtesy boat dock
  • At Catawba River:
    • General access and campground courtesy boat docks
    • Swim beach
    • Campsite 4 at the walk-in tent campground
  • At Long Arm Peninsula:
    • Paddle-in campground area 3
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Hidden Cove boat launch
    • Law enforcement boat dock