Lake James State Park

About

Lake James State Park sits along the shores of Lake James in McDowell and Burke counties, approximately 50 miles northeast of Asheville. The park offers three camping options suited to different experience levels. The Paddy's Creek drive-in campground features 33 tent sites with 20-foot driveways, 12x12-foot tent pads, fire pits, picnic tables, and nearby potable water. A 24-hour bathhouse provides flush toilets and hot showers. Two ADA-accessible sites are available. The Catawba River Access provides 20 walk-in backpack sites located 150-300 yards from the parking area with roughly 100 feet of elevation change. Each site has a 17x16-foot tent pad, fire pit, and picnic table. A bathhouse with water is available near the parking lot. For a more remote experience, the Long Arm Peninsula offers 30 primitive paddle-in sites accessible only by boat. These sites have larger tent pads but no potable water; campers must pack in their own supplies. Pit toilets are distributed throughout the peninsula. Beyond camping, the park offers swimming at Paddy's Creek beach (May through September), over 25 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, multiple boat ramps, and excellent fishing opportunities. The park is open year-round except Christmas Day, though summer and shoulder season weekends see high visitation.

Directions

From I-40, take Exit 90 and head north on Jamestown Road toward Nebo. Turn right on Harmony Grove Road, then left on Lake James State Park Road to reach Paddy's Creek Access. For Catawba River Access, continue on NC 126 to 2785 N.C. 126, Nebo.