Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Trails Status

Hiking Trails

Open

About the Park

Map of North Carolina with a star indicating the location of Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Located in Chatham County 30 miles west of downtown Raleigh, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area includes seven access areas that provide plenty of camping, boating, and swimming opportunities. Campers have more than 1,000 campsites at five accesses to choose from, whether they use a tent, trailer, or RV, and whether they camp with family, friends, or a group. The beautiful lake is one of the largest summertime homes of the bald eagle, and an observation platform makes for easy spotting of our national bird.

Not every access has all the listed facilities. Please check the General Information page to view a table of the facilities at each access.

Camping

  • Tent sites (including backpacking sites)
  • Trailer and RV sites (some with electric and water hookups)
  • Group tent sites (including backpacking sites)
  • Group RV sites
  • Dump stations
  • Showers 
  • Firewood

Activities

  • Hiking (15 miles)
  • Paddling
  • Swimming
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking

Amenities

  • Boat ramps
  • Amphitheater
  • Auditorium and classroom
  • Picnic shelters
  • Visitor center and exhibits
  • Beach accesses (lake)
  • Bathhouses

A privately owned marina near Crosswinds campground provides slips and storage, and fishing boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals.

Plan Your Visit

Tab/Accordion Items

Address

280 State Park Road, Apex, NC 27523

GPS: 35.7355, -79.0165

Current Weather

27523 Apex, NC

Address

389 Farrington Road, Apex, NC 27502

GPS: 35.7420, -79.0021

Current Weather

27502 Apex, NC

Address

2582 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502

GPS: 35.7082, -79.0157

Current Weather

27502 Apex, NC

Address

339 W.H. Jones Road, New Hill, NC 27562

GPS: 35.6772, -79.0454

Current Weather

27562 New Hill, NC

Address

Parkers Creek Beach Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

GPS: 35.7381, -79.0410

Current Weather

27517 Chapel Hill, NC

Address

558 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502

GPS: 35.7289, -79.0044

Current Weather

27502 Apex, NC

Address

Seaforth Beach Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312

GPS: 35.7354, -79.0380

Current Weather

27312 Pittsboro, NC

Address

2498 N. Pea Ridge Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312

GPS: 35.7094, -79.0592

Current Weather

27312 Pittsboro, NC

Address

White Oak Beach Road, Apex, NC 27523

GPS: 35.7384, -79.0122

Current Weather

27523 Apex, NC

Operating Season and Park Hours

Tab/Accordion Items

Crosswinds Campground

Area Opens On Closes On
Camping areas A to C Jan 1, 2024 Sep 9, 2024

 

Ebenezer Church Access

Area/Facility Opens On Closes On
Day-use area open year-round
Picnic shelter #1 open year-round
Picnic shelter #2 and #8 Mar 4, 2024 Oct 28, 2024

 

New Hope Overlook Access

Area Opens On Closes On
Trail and boat ramp Open year-round
Camping areas A and B* Mar 4, 2024 Dec 2, 2024

*All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only

 

Parkers Creek Access

Area/Facility/Loop Opens On Closes On
Day-use area Mar 4, 2024 Nov 12, 2024
Picnic shelters #3 to #6 Mar 4, 2024 Nov 12, 2024
Group camp Mar 4, 2024 Dec 2, 2024
Camping loop 1 Apr 1, 2024 Oct 28, 2024
Camping loop 2 Mar 25, 2024 Oct 28, 2024
Camping loop 3* Mar 18, 2024 Oct 28, 2024
Camping loop 4 north* Mar 11, 2024 Oct 28, 2024
Camping loop 4 south* Mar 4, 2024 Oct 28, 2024

*All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only

 

Poplar Point Access

Loop Opens On Closes On
Camping loop B Apr 22, 2024 Sep 30, 2024
Camping loop C Apr 8, 2024 Dec 31, 2024
Camping loop E* Mar 25, 2024 Dec 31, 2024
Camping loop F Apr 15, 2024 Dec 31, 2024
Camping loop G Apr 29, 2024 Sep 30, 2024
Camping loop H May 6, 2024 Sep 9, 2024
Camping loop J May 13, 2024 Sep 9, 2024

*All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only

 

Seaforth Access

Area/Facility Opens On Closes On
Day-use area open year-round
Picnic shelter #9 open year-round

 

Vista Point Access

Area/Facility Opens On Closes On
Group camp Mar 4, 2024 Dec 2, 2024
RV group camp Mar 4, 2024 Dec 2, 2024
Boat ramp Mar 4, 2024 Dec 2, 2024
Picnic shelters #7 and #10 Mar 4, 2024 Dec 2, 2024

 

White Oak Area

Area Opens On Closes On
Day-use area^ Apr 6, 2024 Sep 29, 2024
Rental open year-round

^Note: White Oak is open for day-use during these dates only on weekends and holidays, and when the area is not reserved. 

Crosswinds Campground

Area Opens On Closes On
Camping areas A to C April 7, 2025 Dec. 31, 2025

 

Ebenezer Church Access

Area/Facility Opens On Closes On
Day-use area open year-round
Picnic shelter #1 open year-round
Picnic shelter #2 and #8 March 10, 2025 Oct. 27, 2025

 

New Hope Overlook Access

Area Opens On Closes On
Trail and boat ramp Open year-round
Camping areas A and B* March 3, 2025 Dec. 1, 2025

*All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only

 

Parkers Creek Access

Area/Facility/Loop Opens On Closes On
Day-use area March 10, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
Picnic shelters #3 to #6 March 10, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
Group camp March 3, 2025 Dec. 1, 2025
Camping loop 1 March 24, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
Camping loop 2 March 17, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
Camping loop 3* May 19, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
Camping loop 4 north* March 10, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
Camping loop 4 south* March 3, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025

*All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only

 

Poplar Point Access

Loop Opens On Closes On
Camping loop B March 24, 2025 Sept. 2, 2025
Camping loop C Jan. 1, 2025 Sept. 29, 2025
Camping loop E* Jan. 1, 2025 Sept. 29, 2025
Camping loop F Jan. 1, 2025 Sept. 29, 2025
Camping loop G May 5, 2025 Sept. 2, 2025
Camping loop H May 12, 2025 Sept. 2, 2025
Camping loop J May 19, 2025 Sept. 2, 2025

*All walk-up sites, reserved onsite at the campground and available on a first-come, first-served basis only

 

Seaforth Access

Area/Facility Opens On Closes On
Day-use area open year-round
Picnic shelter #9 open year-round

 

Vista Point Access

Area/Facility Opens On Closes On
Group camp March 3, 2025 Dec. 1, 2025
RV group camp March 3, 2025 Dec. 1, 2025
Boat ramp March 10, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
Picnic shelters #7 and #10 March 10, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025

 

White Oak Area

Area Opens On Closes On
Day-use area^ April 5, 2025 Sept. 28, 2025
Rental open year-round

^Note: White Oak is open for day-use during these dates only on weekends and holidays, and when the area is not reserved. 

Month

Hours

January 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Not all day-use areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. 

Jordan Lake's day-use area gates and campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted when the gates are closed, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.

Month

Hours

January 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
February 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
March 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
April 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
May 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
June 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
August 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
October 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Not all day-use areas are open year-round. Please check the park's operating season schedule for dates. 

Jordan Lake's day-use area gates and campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted when the gates are closed, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.

Photo Gallery

Column Paragraph

Top: Rainbow over Jordan, E. Gifford.

Gallery: Boating at sunset, K. Welch  |  Summer beachside scene, staff photo  |  Poplar Point campsite, S. McMurray  |  Boat ramps at New Hope Overlook access, K. Bonifacio  |  Sailboats at Jordan Lake, staff photo