Attention: The Long Arm Boat-in sites require boats to access
Business rules for Holiday Weekends :

Holiday booking date rules are as follows:
2 nights Minimum Stay on holiday weekend (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday)
2 nights Minimum Stay still apply to cabin rentals at Hanging Rock, Morrow Mountain, and Cliffs of the Neuse State Parks
1 night Minimum Stay on holiday weekend if the booking dates within 14 Days before Arrival Date

Rule applies to the following holiday weekends:
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day

Lake James State Park, NC

Average Rating: 4.7
Average Rating: 4.7
Average Rating: 4.7
Average Rating: 4.7
Average Rating: 4.7
987 Ratings
Current Category: Camping
See also: Hourly Sites
Tucked into the rolling hill country at the base of mighty Linville Gorge is Lake James, a sprawling 6,812-acre reservoir with more than 150 miles of shoreline. This impressive waterway is the centerpiece of Lake James State Park, where nature offers scenic vistas of the ...
Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
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Campsite Search Results: 1-25 of 89 Previous | Next
Max # of people
Equip length/ Driveway
Amenities
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6 Accessible site
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Catawba River Area Walk In Campground
Campsite Non-Electric
6 Accessible site
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Long Arm Boat In Camping Area 1
Primitive
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Long Arm Boat In Camping Area 1
Primitive
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Long Arm Boat In Camping Area 1
Primitive
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Long Arm Boat In Camping Area 1
Primitive
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Long Arm Boat In Camping Area 1
Primitive
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Long Arm Boat In Camping Area 1
Primitive
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Long Arm Boat In Camping Area 1
Primitive
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Campsite Search Results: 1-25 of 89 Previous | Next
Description

Tucked into the rolling hill country at the base of mighty Linville Gorge is Lake James, a sprawling 6,812-acre reservoir with more than 150 miles of shoreline. This impressive waterway is the centerpiece of Lake James State Park, where nature offers scenic vistas of the Appalachian Mountain range and beckons those with an appetite for outdoor recreation.

Recreation:

Bring family and friends to one of North Carolina's most popular state parks for a variety of activities. Go swimming, sunbathing or enjoy a quiet picnic along the lakeshore. Boat, water ski or fish in the lake's cool mountain waters or take a walk on the wild side and enjoy the beautiful forest wildflowers and abundant wildlife along park trails. Of course, you just may find that your favorite thing to do at Lake James is simply relaxing.

Facilities:

Facilities include a 700-foot swim beach, bathhouse, picnic areas, camping areas, hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing piers.

Auditoriums and Classrooms
Fri Jun 12 2026 - Fri Dec 11 2026

Reservations must be made 1 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance.

Campsite Non-Electric
Thu Jun 11 2026 - Fri Dec 11 2026

Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance.

Picnic Shelter
Fri Jun 12 2026 - Fri Dec 11 2026

Reservations must be made 1 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance.

Primitive
Thu Jun 11 2026 - Fri Dec 11 2026

Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance.


Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Thu Jan 01 2026
Thu Dec 31 2026
Peak
Fri Jan 01 2027
Fri Dec 31 2027
Within Park
  • Accessible
  • Amphitheater
  • Bath House
  • Biking Trail
  • Concession
  • Dock, Boat
  • Drinking Water
  • Fire Rings
  • Firewood
  • Fishing
  • Food Storage Locker
  • Group Grill
  • Hiking Trail
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Lantern Hanger
  • Park Office
  • Parking
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Picnic Table
  • Picnic Tables
  • Point of Interest
  • Ranger Residence
  • Restrooms
  • Sinks In Restrooms
  • Swimming
  • Trash
  • Warm Showers
  • Water spigot

Fees and Cancellation

For more information on Cancellation Policies, click here


Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Peak Season
Jan 01 2026 -
Dec 31 2026
Primitive
$17.00
Picnic Shelter
$105.00
Campsite Non-Electric
$27.00
Auditoriums and Classrooms
$200.00-$600.00
Peak Season
Jan 01 2027 -
Dec 31 2027
Primitive
$17.00
Picnic Shelter
$105.00
Campsite Non-Electric
$27.00
Auditoriums and Classrooms
$200.00-$600.00

*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges

**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.72871, -81.90112
35°43'43"N, 81°54'4"W

Lake James State Park is located in Burke and McDowell counties, five miles northeast of Marion on NC 126.
To get to the Paddy's Creek Area of Lake James State Park:
  • Traveling east on I-40: From I-40, take the Nebo/Lake James exit (exit 90) and head north. After a half mile, turn right onto Harmony Grove Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stoplight. Proceed straight across the intersection and past Nebo Elementary School to a stop sign. Turn right onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 4.8 miles on the right.
  • Traveling west on I-40: From I-40, take the Dysartsville/Lake James exit (exit 94) and head north for 0.5 mile to a stop sign. Turn left onto US 70 and follow it for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Bridgewater Road and travel 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Benfield's Landing Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stop sign. Turn right onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 0.7 miles on the right.
To get to the Catawba River Area of Lake James State Park:
  • Traveling east on I-40: From I-40, take the Nebo/Lake James exit (exit 90) and head north. After a half mile, turn right onto Harmony Grove Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stoplight. Proceed straight across the intersection and past Nebo Elementary School to a stop sign. Turn right onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 2.3 miles on the left.
  • Traveling west on I-40: From I-40, take the Dysartsville/Lake James exit (exit 94) and head north for 0.5 miles to a stop sign. Turn left onto US 70 and follow it for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Bridgewater Road and travel 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Benfield's Landing Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stop sign. Turn left onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 1.7 miles on the right.
To get to the Long Arm Boat-in Campground at Lake James State Park:
  • The Long Arm Boat-in Campground is only accessible by boats, not vehicles.
  • By power boat: Launch from the Canal Bridge Public Boat Ramp located 1.7 miles southwest of the Paddy’s Creek Area entrance on NC 126. Overnight parking is free and does not require a permit. (Overnight parking is not permitted at the Hidden Cove Public Boat Ramp.)
  • By canoe or kayak: Launch from the Paddy’s Creek Day-use Area, located at the end of Lake James State Park Road. Obtain a free overnight parking pass for the vehicle’s dashboard, park in the top tier of the lot, and paddle to the campsite. Campers can also launch from the Canal Bridge Public Boat Ramp located 1.7 miles southwest of the Paddy’s Creek Area entrance on NC 126.
Mailing Address:
Lake James State Park
PO Box 340
Nebo  NC  28761
Phone Number:
Information:  (828)544-6800