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.
There is a designated area for pets to swim.
No animals allowed on the actual beach at the Paddy Creek swim area. They are allowed on the trails though and I'm not sure about other areas at Lake James.
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