Lake James

The 6,812 acres of Lake James have pristine waters and lovely scenery. There are 25 kilometers of hiking trails at Lake James State Park. There are both shorter, kid-friendly trails like the Holly Discovery Trail and longer, more challenging trails like the Overmountain Victory Trail.

You can tent while you are visiting Lake James. Twenty walk-in campsites, many with lake views, are available in the Catawba River Area. However, the Paddy's Creek area, which has 33 drive-in campsites, is a good option if you're looking for more family-friendly camping. The Long Arm Peninsula offers a secluded campground that can only be accessed by boat for those who are serious adventure seekers. It can be magical to paddle in or take a small boat over to your home for the night, despite not being as simple to get to.

From May through September, Paddy's Creek Area offers kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals. Although the lake is beautiful all year round, you'll find that May to September is the best months to enjoy the majority of Lake James' outdoor activities. It goes without saying that mountain biking in Lake James State Park is fantastic. The West Wimba, East Wimba, and Lower Tindo Loops are the park's three main loop trails.

Location: Burke / McDowell counties, North Carolina