Jones Lake State Park

About

Jones Lake State Park campground sits within a Coastal Plain forest along one of North Carolina's enigmatic Carolina bay lakes. The 20 wooded campsites accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, with six sites offering full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. Each site features a picnic table and fire ring/grill, with drinking water and a bathhouse located nearby. A group campsite accommodating up to 35 people is available by reservation. The park's centerpiece is Jones Lake itself, a shallow Carolina bay reaching only 8 feet at its deepest point with distinctive tea-colored waters stained by tannins from surrounding vegetation. Campers have access to 6 miles of hiking trails, a swim beach, boat rentals, paddling, and fishing opportunities. The nearby Salters Lake offers additional exploration. A concession stand operates seasonally. Established as the first North Carolina state park to welcome Black visitors, Jones Lake carries historical significance alongside its natural features. The park remains open year-round except Christmas Day, with seasonal gate hours varying from 6 p.m. closure in winter to 9 p.m. in summer months.

Directions

From Elizabethtown, take NC Highway 242 North approximately 4 miles to the park entrance at 4117 NC Highway 242 N., Elizabethtown, NC 28337.