About Lake James State Park Campground
Lake James State Park is near Nebo, North Carolina, east of Marion and well east of the Smokies. Its Paddy's Creek drive-in campground has 33 sites, each for up to six people with parking for two vehicles, a fire pit and a picnic table. A central bathhouse has toilets and hot showers open around the clock, and potable water faucets are spread through the area.
Camping options
The park's camping page lists three styles:
- Paddy's Creek drive-in: 33 sites; sites 13 and 14 are accessible.
- Catawba River walk-in tents: 20 sites, 150 to 300 yards from parking, with a bathhouse near the lot.
- Long Arm Peninsula paddle-in: 30 primitive sites reachable only by boat, with no running water. Paddle-in sites must be reserved before arrival.
Book at ncparks.gov or by calling 1-877-722-6762. The campground page does not list hookups or a season, so confirm with the visitor center, which is at the Paddy's Creek access on Lake James State Park Road.
What to do
Lake James has swimming beaches, boating, paddling and fishing, with hiking trails around the shore. It is a lake-and-mountain-view destination, not a Smokies base: the drive from Gatlinburg takes roughly three hours, and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Linville Gorge are closer.
Getting there
From I-40 east of Marion, follow signs to the park (NC-126 near Nebo). Marion and Morganton have groceries and fuel.
Know before you go
Check the park website for pet rules, ranger programs and any water-quality notices before you plan swimming. The national park's parking tag does not apply here.
Good to know
- How many sites does Lake James State Park Campground have?
- 33 sites.