Lake James State Park, NC

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.

Booking Window

Auditoriums and Classrooms

Sat Apr 20 2024 - Sat Oct 19 2024

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

Campsite Non-Electric

Fri Apr 19 2024 - Sat Oct 19 2024

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

Picnic Shelter

Sat Apr 20 2024 - Sat Oct 19 2024

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

Primitive

Fri Apr 19 2024 - Sat Oct 19 2024

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

Season Dates

Season Schedule

Park Season

Start

End

Peak

Mon Jan 01 2024

Tue Dec 31 2024

Peak

Wed Jan 01 2025

Wed Dec 31 2025

Services and Amenities

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 Policies

Fees and Cancellation

For more information on Cancellation Policies, click here

Facility Rates*

Park Season

Site Type

Nightly/Daily Rates

Peak Season
Jan 01 2024 -
Dec 31 2024

Primitive
$12.00
Picnic Shelter
$105.00
Campsite Non-Electric
$23.00
Auditoriums and Classrooms
$200.00-$600.00

Peak Season
Jan 01 2025 -
Dec 31 2025

Primitive
$12.00
Picnic Shelter
$105.00
Campsite Non-Electric
$23.00
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

Getting There

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.

Contact Information