About the Park
Natural Resource Inventory Checklists
Get a list of plants and animals that have been found in the park
Sections of Park Reopened November 15th
Still closed: boat docks, Hidden Cove, Paddy's Creek day-use area (incl. picnic areas, bathrooms, and trailheads), Long Arm and Catawba campsites, and Mill's Creek & Wimba trails.
Lake James State Park is looking for campground hosts!
Now accepting applications for 2025 camp hosts. Hosts are volunteers who assist in maintaining the campground and checking in campers in exchange for a free stay. If you are interested, please email the park at lake.james@ncparks.gov to learn more.
Most state parks in western North Carolina have reopened at least partially.
Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell, and South Mountains are closed long-term until further notice. Check park pages for the most up-to-date status of facilities.
Winter Hours for Lake James State Park Visitor Center
Winter hours are now in effect for the Paddy's Creek Visitor Center. The new hours are 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily.
Donate to Hurricane Recovery
Please give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from Helene Donate Now
Information and Resources on Hurricane Helene
For North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Hurricane Helene Go Now