Great place to hike, kayak and just relax. Public beaches in summer, Amazing during the fall season!
Ramita Chitrakar
Oct 18, 2022
Beautiful place with beach area, fishing pier etc.. they also have electric vehicle charging stations.. beach area was closed in Oct but should be super fun when it is open.
David Arnold
Oct 15, 2022
Nature's best of everything found here. Mountains, Foothills, Lake, River and activities. Five star views.
Terry McClellan
Oct 8, 2022
Beautiful beach. Checking out the camping spots. I bought a coffee cup .
Plenty of grills and table down by lake. Go early, first come for these areas. Swimming only cost when life guard on duty. Usually this is on weekends, but can be during week. Have fun here because this is a beautiful park. You can fish and rent canoes or take your own.
Julie,
When entering Patty's creek, you'll go over a very nice bridge. There's a pull off right past it, on the right. Park there walk to the bridge on the same side. There's a small trail going down to a swimming/fishing hole. You can go to either side of the bridge, but the water is a bit calmer on the right side.
For the absolute best views, you need to try the boat-in campsites. Long Arm Camping Area 1 is the shortest paddle, and canoes are available for rent at the swim area. Second best for lake views is the camping area at Catawba River Access. There is a short walk to get to those sites. At the Paddy’s Creek area, you’ll catch glimpses of the lake from the easternmost sites. There are good maps to help you choose at Reserve America.
You could do something small but not sure about a large reserved venue. I'd check with the visitor center. Nearby option is brown mountain beach campground. They do traditional weddings. Beautiful place too.
There is a ramp put in at the far end of the public parking at the big beach area. Stay in the cove areas to avoid motorboats, jet skis. Ditto to previous comments . Even if car camping, you'll probably need to drive to put ins.
The swim area is still closed until further notice. I would strongly advise against Swimming in an undesignated area. Not only is it prohibited by the park, it is extremely dangerous and damaging to natural resources.
Over the mnt trail. When you enter at paddy's creek you park in the first parking lot, walk back across the bridge and take the trail to the right... the barriers are about 1/4mile in
People are getting the paddys creek tent camping at the park confused with paddy creek campground. Paddy creek campground is on private property and has permanent rv sites and two tent sites with four cabin rentals.
They also have free swim days. It's decided the morning of if it will be free swim or require a fee. Call the Lake James State Park line in the morning to find out.
Yes, there are boat ramps in two places, one ramp is large and mostly for boats with trailers. But at the picnic area, there are also places for boats and docks where you could easily put a kayak in the water.
It depends on which campground (there are three) and when you go. Prices vary from $13 to $26 (more for holiday weekends). Price structure is on their website.
I would say as far as boating to be aware that trees may have fallen and are submerged. As far as the sewage spill you may want look on the Lake James website
Yes. 7-10 every day its open. Of course, things like the lake are not open, but that is just a matter of course. The hiking and biking trails are open as long as the ground is dry.
I believe the camp grounds rates will change dependent upon when you go, i.e. holiday, fourthnof July, etc. I've seen the rates start at about $15 a day on any regular day, not sure on the holiday rates. Hope this helps!! Enjoy, it's so beautiful up there.