Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(919) 362-0586
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Chatham County, about 8 miles west of Apex.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Overnight options include 4 camping areas, with RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Operating Season Schedule 2026 Parkers Creek Group Sites will open weekends only until 4-23-26 and day use area will open weekends only until 4-1-26. Vista Point Group Sites will open weekends only until 4-23-26. Shelters #2, #8, and #7 will be closed during the week until March 27, 2026 | ||
| Other — January | Daily | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. | — |
| Day use | Not all day-use areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. Jordan Lake's day-use area gates and campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted when the gates are closed, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. | ||
| Other — May | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Visitor center | Mon–Fri | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Nov 1 – Feb 28 |
| Daily | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Mar 1 – Oct 31 | |
Official wording
Operating Season Schedule 2026 Parkers Creek Group Sites will open weekends only until 4-23-26 and day use area will open weekends only until 4-1-26. Vista Point Group Sites will open weekends only until 4-23-26. Shelters #2, #8, and #7 will be closed during the week until March 27, 2026
Area: Opens On: Closes On: Camping areas A to C: Jan. 1, 2026: Dec. 31, 2026
Area/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: Open year-round Picnic shelter #1: Open year-round Picnic shelter #2: March 2, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 Picnic shelter #8: March 2, 2026: Dec. 31, 2026
Area: Opens On: Closes On: Trail and boat ramp: Open year-round Camping areas A and B*: March 20, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only
Area/Facility/Loop: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: April 1, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 Picnic shelter #3: April 1, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 Picnic shelters #4 to #6: March 2, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 Group camp: March 2, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 Camping loop 1: April 1, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 Camping loop 2: March 2, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 Camping loop 3*: May 20, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 Camping loop 4 north*: March 2, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 Camping loop 4 south*: April 1, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only
Loop: Opens On: Closes On: Camping loop B: April 1, 2026: Sept. 8, 2026 Camping loop C: March 2, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 Camping loop E*: March 20, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 Camping loop F: March 2, 2026: Nov. 2, 2026 Camping loop G: April 1, 2026: Sept. 8, 2026 Camping loop H: May 4, 2026: Sept. 8, 2026 Camping loop J: May 4, 2026: Sept. 8, 2026 All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only
Area/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: Open year-round Picnic shelter #9: Open year-round
Area/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Group camp: March 26, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 RV group camp: March 27, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 Boat ramp: March 2, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026 Picnic shelters #7 and #10: March 2, 2026: Nov. 30, 2026
Area: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area^: April 4, 2026: Sept. 28, 2026 Rental: open year-round ^Note: White Oak is open for day-use during these dates only on weekends and holidays, and when the area is not reserved. All park facilities are closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. Operating Season Schedule 2027
Area: Opens On: Closes On: Camping areas A to C: Jan. 1, 2027: Dec. 31, 2027
Area/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: Open year-round Picnic shelter #1: Open year-round Picnic shelter #2: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 Picnic shelter #8: March 1, 2027: Dec. 31, 2027
Area: Opens On: Closes On: Trail and boat ramp: Open year-round Camping areas A and B*: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only
Area/Facility/Loop: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: March 1, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 Picnic shelter #3: April 5, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 Picnic shelters #4 to #6: March 1, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 Group camp: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 Camping loop 1: April 5, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 Camping loop 2: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 Camping loop 3*: March 1, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 Camping loop 4 north*: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 Camping loop 4 south*: April 5, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only
Loop: Opens On: Closes On: Camping loop B: April 5, 2027: Sept. 7, 2027 Camping loop C: March 1, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 Camping loop E*: March 1, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 Camping loop F: March 1, 2027: Nov. 1, 2027 Camping loop G: April 5, 2027: Sept. 7, 2027 Camping loop H: May 4, 2027: Sept. 7, 2027 Camping loop J: May 4, 2027: Sept. 7, 2027 All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only
Area/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area: Open year-round Picnic shelter #9: Open year-round
Area/Facility: Opens On: Closes On: Group camp: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 RV group camp: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 Boat ramp: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027 Picnic shelters #7 and #10: March 1, 2027: Nov. 29, 2027
Area: Opens On: Closes On: Day-use area^: April 3, 2027: Sept. 28, 2027 Rental: open year-round ^Note: White Oak is open for day-use during these dates only on weekends and holidays, and when the area is not reserved. All park facilities are closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
January: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Not all day-use areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. Jordan Lake's day-use area gates and campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted when the gates are closed, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Hours for All Campgrounds: Crosswinds and Poplar Point campground gates have 24-hour access. Parkers Creek, Vista Point, and New Hope Overlook campground gates lock at the posted times below:
January: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
February: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
March: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
April: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
May: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
June: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
August: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Not all camping areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. No entry or exit is permitted when the gates are closed, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies. Campgrounds are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Campgrounds open during all other holidays.
Hours for Visitor Center: From November to February, open Monday to Friday only, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From March to October, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The visitor center is closed during the following state-designated holidays: Thanksgiving days; Christmas days (including any Saturdays and Sundays in between); and on New Year's Day. The dates of these state holidays are available on the N.C. Office of State Human Resources website.
From November to February, open Monday to Friday only, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From March to October, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The visitor center is closed during the following state-designated holidays: Thanksgiving days; Christmas days (including any Saturdays and Sundays in between); and on New Year's Day. The dates of these state holidays are available on the N.C. Office of State Human Resources website.
Crosswinds and Poplar Point campground gates have 24-hour access. Parkers Creek, Vista Point, and New Hope Overlook campground gates lock at the posted times below:
January: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
February: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
March: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
April: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
May: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
June: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
August: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Not all camping areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. No entry or exit is permitted when the gates are closed, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies. Campgrounds are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Campgrounds open during all other holidays.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| The park is | Free · day |
Official wording
Entrance fees are charged per vehicle on weekends and holidays in April, May, and September, and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The park is free to access for day use during the rest of the year. Fees are also charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations.
North Carolina park passes
- Annual Pass for Reservoirs — $70 Details
- Annual Pass — $100 Details
- Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access — $200. Annual Pass benefits plus four-wheel-drive beach access Details
From the North Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Not required
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-722-6762
*All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tent, Trailer and RV Camping Pitch your tent or park your recreation vehicle at one of more than 1,000 family campsites.
Crosswinds Campground
Crosswinds offers 182 campsites for recreational vehicles, tent and trailer camping; 134 sites have electric and water hookups. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Showers, restrooms, trash containers, and a dump station are conveniently located.
Parkers Creek
Parkers Creek offers 250 sites for RV, tent and trailer camping; 120 sites have electric and water hookups. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Showers, restrooms, trash… | — | Showers | — |
| Backpack Camping For those who prefer a more primitive campsite, New Hope Overlook offers 24 campsites nestled in the woods. These sites range from 100 yard to a half mile from the parking lot. Each site has a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Toilets and drinking water are provided nearby.
These sites cannot be reserved in advance and are walk-up only, which means you can be booked only when you arrive at the campground, on a first-come, first-served basis. | — | — | |
| Group Camping Two areas offer sections for camping clubs and other groups. Parkers Creek has six campsites available for group tent camping. Vista Point also offers five group tent campsites. Drinking water and showers are located nearby.
All of these campsites accommodate up to 35 people.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that group camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees. | — | Showers | — |
| Group RV Camping Vista Point offers 50 campsites for group RV camping. All sites contain electric and water hookups. Although these sites are open year-round, water to the sites is turned off in the winter. Showers, restrooms, trash containers, and a dump station are conveniently located.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that group camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
- Tent sites (including backpacking sites)
- Trailer and RV sites (some with electric and water hookups)
- Group tent sites (including backpacking sites)
- Group RV sites
- Dump stations
- Showers
- Firewood
Tent, Trailer and RV Camping
Pitch your tent or park your recreation vehicle at one of more than 1,000 family campsites.
Crosswinds Campground
Crosswinds offers 182 campsites for recreational vehicles, tent and trailer camping; 134 sites have electric and water hookups. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Showers, restrooms, trash containers, and a dump station are conveniently located.
Parkers Creek
Parkers Creek offers 250 sites for RV, tent and trailer camping; 120 sites have electric and water hookups. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Showers, restrooms, trash containers, and a dump station are conveniently located.
Poplar Point
Poplar Point offers 579 sites for RV, tent and trailer camping; 363 sites have electric and water hookups. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Showers, restrooms, trash containers, and a dump station are conveniently located.
Walk-Up Campsites
Loops 3 and 4 at Parkers Creek and Loop E at Poplar Point are all walk-up campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These sites are not available for advance reservation and can be booked only when you arrive at the campground.
Book now
Backpack Camping
For those who prefer a more primitive campsite, New Hope Overlook offers 24 campsites nestled in the woods. These sites range from 100 yard to a half mile from the parking lot. Each site has a picnic table, grill, and lantern holder. Toilets and drinking water are provided nearby.
These sites cannot be reserved in advance and are walk-up only, which means you can be booked only when you arrive at the campground, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Camping
Two areas offer sections for camping clubs and other groups. Parkers Creek has six campsites available for group tent camping. Vista Point also offers five group tent campsites. Drinking water and showers are located nearby.
All of these campsites accommodate up to 35 people.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that group camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
Book now
Group RV Camping
Vista Point offers 50 campsites for group RV camping. All sites contain electric and water hookups. Although these sites are open year-round, water to the sites is turned off in the winter. Showers, restrooms, trash containers, and a dump station are conveniently located.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Book now
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingFishingPicnickingBoatingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Oak Trail | 1 mi | Easy | 1-mile loop; Blaze: redHiking only |
| Ebenezer Church Trail | 1.01 mi | Easy | 1.01-mile loop; Blaze: redHiking only |
| New Hope Trail | 5.4 mi | Moderate | 5.4-mile loop; Blaze: red and blueHiking only |
| Seaforth Pond / K.I.P. Track Trail | 1.4 mi | Easy | 1.4-mile loop; Blaze: noneHiking only |
| Children's Nature Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy | 0.5-mile loop; Blaze: noneHiking only |
| Poplar Point Campground Trail | 2 mi | Easy | 2-mile one way; Blaze: redHiking only |
| Blue Trail | 1 mi | Easy | 1-mile loop; Blaze: blueHiking only |
| Red Trail | 3 mi | Easy | 3-mile loop; Blaze: redHiking only |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking Trails: Open
Old Oak Trail (1-mile loop; Blaze: red), Easy, Hiking only
Ebenezer Church Trail (1.01-mile loop; Blaze: red), Easy, Hiking only
New Hope Trail (5.4-mile loop; Blaze: red and blue), Moderate, Hiking only
Seaforth Pond / K.I.P. Track Trail (1.4-mile loop; Blaze: none), Easy, Hiking only
Children's Nature Trail (0.5-mile loop; Blaze: none), Easy, Hiking only
Poplar Point Campground Trail (2-mile one way; Blaze: red), Easy, Hiking only
Blue Trail (1-mile loop; Blaze: blue), Easy, Hiking only
Red Trail (3-mile loop; Blaze: red), Easy, Hiking only
Swimming
Swimming
Boating and paddling
Paddling
Fishing
Fishing
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Amphitheater
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 389 Farrington Road
Apex, NC 27502 - Nearest town
- Apex — about 8 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 35.7355, -79.0165
- Phone
- (919) 362-0586
- jordan.lake@ncparks.gov
Entrances
- Visitor Center — 280 State Park Road, Apex, NC 27523
- Crosswinds Campground — 389 Farrington Road, Apex, NC 27502
- Ebenezer Church Access — 2582 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502
- Moncure — Deep River Access — 7140 Moncure Pittsboro Road, Moncure, NC 27759
- New Hope Overlook Access — 339 W.H. Jones Road, New Hill, NC 27562
- Parkers Creek Access — Parkers Creek Beach Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
- Poplar Point Access — 558 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502
- Seaforth Access — Seaforth Beach Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312
- Vista Point Access — 2498 N. Pea Ridge Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312
- White Oak Area — White Oak Beach Road, Apex, NC 27523
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- North Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- NC State Parks 'Catalog: Find a State Park Access' (paged Drupal view, ?page=0..6)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology