Lake Norman State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(704) 528-6350
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Lake Norman State Park is a park in Iredell County, about 9 miles northwest of Mooresville.
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, biking, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including RV sites with full hookups and tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
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. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | — |
| Park | 24-hour access to the campground and boat launch is available through the entrance on St. Johns Road. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. | ||
| Campground | Campground: The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. 24-hour access to the campground is available through the St. Johns Road entrance. From the intersection of Old Mountain Road and East Monbo Road in the Troutman area, travel south approximately 4.3 miles on East Monbo Road to St. Johns Road. Turn left onto St. Johns Road and go 0.5 mile to State Park Road. Follow the signs for the campgrounds. | ||
| Other — Boat Rentals | Daily | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | — |
| Visitor center | Fri–Tue | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
January: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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 8 p.m.
October: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
24-hour access to the campground and boat launch is available through the entrance on St. Johns Road. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Campground: The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. 24-hour access to the campground is available through the St. Johns Road entrance. From the intersection of Old Mountain Road and East Monbo Road in the Troutman area, travel south approximately 4.3 miles on East Monbo Road to St. Johns Road. Turn left onto St. Johns Road and go 0.5 mile to State Park Road. Follow the signs for the campgrounds.
Boat Rentals: Daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $10/HR. Closed until Late Spring 2026 The boats are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, and we are not able to reserve them. Canoes, Pedal Boats, Single Kayaks, Tandem Kayaks, and Paddleboards are available. We do not offer motorized boat rentals.
Visitor Center: Seasonal Operating Hours beginning November 1st, 2025 Friday-Tuesday 9:00AM-5:00PM
Seasonal Operating Hours beginning November 1st, 2025 Friday-Tuesday 9:00AM-5:00PM
The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. 24-hour access to the campground is available through the St. Johns Road entrance. From the intersection of Old Mountain Road and East Monbo Road in the Troutman area, travel south approximately 4.3 miles on East Monbo Road to St. Johns Road. Turn left onto St. Johns Road and go 0.5 mile to State Park Road. Follow the signs for the campgrounds.
Boat Rentals: Daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $10/HR. Closed until Late Spring 2026 The boats are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, and we are not able to reserve them. Canoes, Pedal Boats, Single Kayaks, Tandem Kayaks, and Paddleboards are available. We do not offer motorized boat rentals.
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, Trailer, or RV Camping – Some with Full Hookups There are 44 campsites located near the tip of the peninsula between Lake Norman and Hicks Creek. These sites are open to a maximum of 6 people per campsite.
Check in: 3:00PM Check out: 12:00PM
The campground has a bathhouse with toilets and hot showers available. There are three potable water spigots for campers to use. A dump station is also provided (non-campers can pay a $35 fee to use it).
All campsites have a picnic table, and a fire ring with grill cover.
Sites 1 to 32 are paved, with a tent pad measuring 15 feet by 12 feet. These sites do not have water, electric, or sewer hookups.… | — | Tent, Trailer, or RV Camping – Some with Full HookupsShowers | — |
| Camper Cabins Six cabins are also located at the campground.
Check in: 3:00PM Check out: 12:00PM
Each cabin can accommodate up to six people; one bedroom has a double bed and the other room sleeps four with two sets of twin-sized bunk beds.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. The cabins have electric outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. There are no restrooms inside the cabin, and campers must use the nearby bathhouse and water spigots. A picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern hook are provided at each cabin.
Cabin 1 is accessible for… | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
- Camper cabins
- Tent sites
- Trailer and RV sites (some with electric, water, and sewer hookups)
- Group tent sites
- Dump station
- Showers
- Firewood
Tent, Trailer, or RV Camping – Some with Full Hookups
There are 44 campsites located near the tip of the peninsula between Lake Norman and Hicks Creek. These sites are open to a maximum of 6 people per campsite.
Check in: 3:00PM Check out: 12:00PM
The campground has a bathhouse with toilets and hot showers available. There are three potable water spigots for campers to use. A dump station is also provided (non-campers can pay a $35 fee to use it).
All campsites have a picnic table, and a fire ring with grill cover.
Sites 1 to 32 are paved, with a tent pad measuring 15 feet by 12 feet. These sites do not have water, electric, or sewer hookups.
Sites 34 to 44 are paved, and each has a picnic pad. These sites have hookups for electric (30- and 50-amp service available), water, and sewer.
Sites 31 (no hookups) and 39 (with hookups) 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.
Camper Cabins
Six cabins are also located at the campground.
Check in: 3:00PM Check out: 12:00PM
Each cabin can accommodate up to six people; one bedroom has a double bed and the other room sleeps four with two sets of twin-sized bunk beds.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. The cabins have electric outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. There are no restrooms inside the cabin, and campers must use the nearby bathhouse and water spigots. A picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern hook are provided at each cabin.
Cabin 1 is 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.
Smoking, cooking, and open flames are not permitted inside any of the cabins. Pets are not allowed in the cabins, with the exception of service animals. Each cabin has parking space for two vehicles only.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alder Trail | 0.8 mi | Easy | 0.8-mile loop; Blaze: white diamondsHiking only |
| Dragonfly Trail | 0.25 mi | Easy | 0.25-mile loop; Blaze: paved pathHiking onlyAccessible |
| Lake Shore Trail | 5 mi | Moderate | 5-mile loop; Blaze: white diamondsHiking only |
| Hike: Lake Shore Trail loop then out-and-back on Group Camp Spur Trail | 6.3 mi | Moderate | 6.3-mile loop; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only |
| Hike / K.I.P. Track Trail: Lake Shore Trail north (towards swim beach) then turn right on Short Turn Trail | 2.6 mi | Moderate | 2.6-mile loop; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only |
| Hike: Lake Shore Trail south (towards campground) then turn left on Short Turn Trail | 3.2 mi | Moderate | 3.2-mile loop; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only |
| Itusi Bike Trail | 30.5 mi | Easy to moderate | 30.5-mile loopBikingHiking |
| Hawk Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 3 mi | Easy to moderate | 3-mile loop; Blaze: blue circleBikingHiking |
| Hicks Creek Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 1 mi | Easy | 1-mile loop; Blaze: blue circleBikingHiking |
| Norwood Creek Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 2.5 mi | Easy to moderate | 2.5-mile loop; Blaze: blue circleBikingHiking |
| Monbo Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 6.25 mi | Easy to moderate | 6.25-mile loop; Blaze: yellow circleBikingHiking |
| Laurel Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 9.75 mi | Moderate | 9.75-mile loop; Blaze: red circleBikingHiking |
| Wildlife Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 4.25 mi | Easy to moderate | 4.25-mile loop; Blaze: white circleBikingHiking |
| Fallstown Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 1.25 mi | Easy | 1.25-mile loop; Blaze: white circleBikingHiking |
| Fox Loop on Itusi Bike Trail | 2.5 mi | Easy to moderate | 2.5-mile loop; Blaze: white circleBikingHiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking Trails: Open. 7:00AM - 7:30PM
Mountain Bike Trails: OPEN. Weather Dependent, 7:00AM - 7:30PM
Alder Trail (0.8-mile loop; Blaze: white diamonds), Easy, Hiking only
Dragonfly Trail (0.25-mile loop; Blaze: paved path), Easy, Hiking only
Lake Shore Trail (5-mile loop; Blaze: white diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Hike: Lake Shore Trail loop then out-and-back on Group Camp Spur Trail (6.3-mile loop; Blaze: red diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Hike / K.I.P. Track Trail: Lake Shore Trail north (towards swim beach) then turn right on Short Turn Trail (2.6-mile loop; Blaze: red diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Hike: Lake Shore Trail south (towards campground) then turn left on Short Turn Trail (3.2-mile loop; Blaze: red diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Itusi Bike Trail (30.5-mile loop), Easy to moderate, Biking/hiking
Hawk Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (3-mile loop; Blaze: blue circle), Easy to moderate, Biking/hiking
Hicks Creek Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (1-mile loop; Blaze: blue circle), Easy, Biking/hiking
Norwood Creek Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (2.5-mile loop; Blaze: blue circle), Easy to moderate, Biking/hiking
Monbo Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (6.25-mile loop; Blaze: yellow circle), Easy to moderate, Biking/hiking
Laurel Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (9.75-mile loop; Blaze: red circle), Moderate, Biking/hiking
Wildlife Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (4.25-mile loop; Blaze: white circle), Easy to moderate, Biking/hiking
Fallstown Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (1.25-mile loop; Blaze: white circle), Easy, Biking/hiking
Fox Loop on Itusi Bike Trail (2.5-mile loop; Blaze: white circle), Easy to moderate, Biking/hiking
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
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Restrooms: not available (stated by the park)
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
✓ 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
- 759 State Park Road
Troutman, NC 28166 - Nearest town
- Mooresville — about 9 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 35.6683, -80.9411 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (704) 528-6350
- lake.norman@ncparks.gov
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
“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