Lake James State Park is one of our favorite summertime day trips. We love to enjoy a day at the beach without the long drive or the week-long commitment. Located just west of Morganton in Nebo NC, the 6,510-acre lake and 3,644-acre state park offer something for every member of the family. Our regular spot at Lake James is Paddy’s Creek Area, which is open daily for swimmers from May 1st through September 30th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. On days when lifeguards are on duty, the cost to access the beach for the day is $5 for ages 13 and up and $4 for ages 3 through 12. When lifeguards aren’t on duty, beach and swimming access is free. If you’re looking for a day trip or an extended stay, below are six ways to enjoy a beach day at Lake James.
1. Arrive early or bring your own shade. If you get to the beach early enough, you can set up camp next to one of the few shade trees on the beach. If not, you’ll need to bring your own beach umbrella, canopy, or tent to avoid sitting in the sun all day. Keep in mind that while the temperature may be a couple of degrees cooler at Lake James, you won’t have the breeze that helps you cool down on the beach. Our last trip to Lake James was on a Saturday in mid-July. We arrived around 10:00 am and were able to set up our chairs right next to a small shade tree. If we had arrived 15 or 20 minutes later, there would have been no shade available.
2. Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard for fun on the water. Just beyond the roped-off swimming area, there’s nothing but open water for boating and fishing. Renting a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard is a great way to explore more of the lake and see some wildlife. The last time we took a boat out on the lake, we spotted a heron, a nest of eagles, and turtles. Boat rentals are $5.00 per hour and are available from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm. Life vests are provided.
3. Take your bikes and helmets. If your family prefers vacations with a little adventure, you can explore the park by bike. Lake James State Park boasts 25 miles of trails, with 15 of those miles available for mountain biking. Trails range from super kid-friendly to extreme sports-style, so you don’t have to be a professional mountain biker to ride the trails. Consider heading out on the trails early while it’s cooler and the beach is closed. The park opens at 7:00 am.
4. Check the calendar before you go. Lake James State Park offers many wonderful events for all ages, led by park rangers and scheduled at various times each month. Choose among hikes, canoe/boat excursions, and educational programs to incorporate a fun event into your day at the park. You'll find them on the Macaroni Kid calendar, by searching our site for Lake James State Park, or looking on the park's website.
5. Pack like you’re going to the beach and to the mountains. Our family loves vacationing at the beach, and we also love taking trips to the mountains, especially to escape the summer heat and humidity. Lake James offers the best of both worlds. That’s great news for you, but it means you may need to think differently about what to pack. Take sunscreen, sand toys, beach chairs, towels, goggles, and floats. Also pack bug repellant and hiking clothes and shoes if you’re interested in exploring the trails. The Paddy’s Creek Area concession stand offers a variety of drinks and snacks, but you may want to pack your own to keep everyone’s energy up. Take advantage of the outdoor showers and large restrooms to change into clean clothes for the ride home.
6. Consider making a weekend of it! Looking for more than a day trip? Lake James offers plenty to do for an extended vacation. You can easily fill a long weekend with swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and picnicking. The Park features three campgrounds, with 20 walk-in, 33 drive-in, and 30 boat-in campsites. Fire pits and picnic tables are available at the walk-in and boat-in sites, and toilet facilities are easily accessible. Looking for a beautiful spot to host an event? Picnic shelters are available for rent, and you can even rent an entire private beach for the day.
For more information including directions, visit the Lake James State Park website or call the park office at 828-584-7728.
