Lake James State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(828) 544-6800
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Lake James State Park is a 32-acre park in Burke County, about 8 miles northeast of Marion.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, biking, and fishing. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are 3 camping areas (tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other — January | Daily | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Other — November | Daily | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Park | The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. | ||
| Swimming — Swim Area | Daily | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Visitor center | Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
January: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
February: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
March: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
April: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
May: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
June: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
August: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
October: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Canal Bridge Boat Ramp: Open year-round, with 24-hour gate access
Month: Hours: January: closed February: closed
March: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
December: closed The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Swim Area: Open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1 through September 30.
Visitor Center: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Swim Area: Open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1 through September 30.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Free entry at most parks ('Most state parks are free to enter'); per-vehicle day-use fees at the reservoir SRAs (Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake) and fees for swimming, boat launches, rentals, ferries and camping.
Statewide fee rule from North Carolina's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
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
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-722-6762
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 Camping – Drive-In Campsites 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… | — | Showers | — |
| Backpack Camping – Walk-In Tent Campsites 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… | — | Showers | — |
| Paddle-In Camping – Primitive Tent Campsites 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… | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
- Tent sites (including backpacking and paddle-in sites)
- Showers (not at paddle-in sites)
- Firewood
Tent Camping – Drive-In Campsites
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.
Book Now
Backpack Camping – Walk-In Tent Campsites
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.
Book Now
Paddle-In Camping – Primitive Tent Campsites
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.
Book Now
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingBikingCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingFishingPicnickingBoatingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Discovery / K.I.P. Track Trail | 0.75 mi | Easy | 0.75-mile loop; Blaze: red trianglesHiking only |
| Overmountain Victory Trail | 2 mi | Easy | 2-mile one way; Blaze: white trianglesHiking only |
| Paddy's Creek Trail | 1 mi | Moderate | 1-mile one way; Blaze: orange trianglesHiking only |
| Homestead Trail | 0.7 mi | Easy | 0.7-mile one way; Blaze: blue and white trianglesHiking only |
| Mill's Creek Trail | 3.6 mi | Moderate | 3.6-mile loop; Blaze: blue trianglesHiking only |
| Fonta Flora State Trail | 7 mi | Moderate | 7-mile one way; Blaze: red-orange feathersHiking only |
| Upper Tindo Loop Bike Trail | 1.4 mi | Easy | 1.4-mile loop; Blaze: blue circlesBikingHiking |
| Lower Tindo Loop Bike Trail | 1.4 mi | Easy | 1.4-mile loop; Blaze: blue circlesBikingHiking |
| West Wimba Loop Bike Trail | 6 mi | Moderate | 6-mile loop; Blaze: orange circlesBikingHiking |
| East Wimba Loop Bike Trail | 4.4 mi | Moderate | 4.4-mile loop; Blaze: red circlesBikingHiking |
| Fishing Pier Trail | 0.3 mi | Easy | 0.3-mile one way; Blaze: blue squaresHiking only |
| Fox Den Loop Trail | 2.25 mi | Moderate | 2.25-mile loop; Blaze: orange trianglesHiking only |
| Lake Channel Overlook Trail | 1.5 mi | Moderate | 1.5-mile one way; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only |
| Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail | 0.5 mi | Moderate | 0.5-mile one way; Blaze: white circlesHiking only |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking Trails: Mostly Open. The East Wimba Trail is on long-term closure due to damage from Hurricane Helene. A footbridge is closed for repairs on the southern leg of the Overmountain Victory Trail.
Biking Trails: Mostly Open. The Tindo loops and West Wimba Trail are running clockwise as of 10/6/2026. The East Wimba Trail is on long-term closure due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
Holly Discovery / K.I.P. Track Trail (0.75-mile loop; Blaze: red triangles), Easy, Hiking only
Overmountain Victory Trail (2-mile one way; Blaze: white triangles), Easy, Hiking only
Paddy's Creek Trail (1-mile one way; Blaze: orange triangles), Moderate, Hiking only
Homestead Trail (0.7-mile one way; Blaze: blue and white triangles), Easy, Hiking only
Mill's Creek Trail (3.6-mile loop; Blaze: blue triangles), Moderate, Hiking only
Fonta Flora State Trail (7-mile one way; Blaze: red-orange feathers), Moderate, Hiking only
Upper Tindo Loop Bike Trail (1.4-mile loop; Blaze: blue circles), Easy, Biking/hiking
Lower Tindo Loop Bike Trail (1.4-mile loop; Blaze: blue circles), Easy, Biking/hiking
West Wimba Loop Bike Trail (6-mile loop; Blaze: orange circles), Moderate, Biking/hiking
East Wimba Loop Bike Trail (4.4-mile loop; Blaze: red circles), Moderate, Biking/hiking
Fishing Pier Trail (0.3-mile one way; Blaze: blue squares), Easy, Hiking only
Fox Den Loop Trail (2.25-mile loop; Blaze: orange triangles), Moderate, Hiking only
Lake Channel Overlook Trail (1.5-mile one way; Blaze: red diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail (0.5-mile one way; Blaze: white circles), Moderate, Hiking only
Swimming
Swimming (at Paddy's Creek only)
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
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Amphitheater
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry 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
- 9182 N.C. 126
Nebo, NC 28761 - Nearest town
- Marion — about 8 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 35.7503, -81.8920
- Phone
- (828) 544-6800
- lake.james@ncparks.gov
Entrances
- Paddy's Creek Access — 2229 Lake James State Park Road, Nebo, NC 28761
- Catawba River Access — 2785 N.C. 126, Nebo, NC 28761
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp — 3381 N.C. 126, Nebo, NC 28761
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp — 9182 N.C. 126, Nebo, NC 28761
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)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“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