Celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail and Pick Your Own PATH at Lake James State Park. A two-day event April 15-16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., will allow visitors to experience the cultural and natural histories of Lake James State Park with excursions on the Overmountain Victory Trail and the Fonta Flora Trail.
Saturday’s programming (April 15) will focus on the cultural aspects of the park, including a living history demonstration of a patriot militia encampment during the Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Two groups promoting outdoor diversity and inclusion — CULA (Centro Unido Latino-Americano) and Latinos Aventureros — will be providing some bilingual activities.
Sunday’s programming (April 16) will focus on the natural resources of the park, with help from the new NC Science Trail.
Guided hikes both days will include both an easier and a more challenging option for participants to choose from.
Various trail and NCDNCR partners (including the DNCR PATH Airstream) will be showcasing their resources throughout the weekend.
About Lake James State Park
Located in Burke and McDowell counties 50 miles northeast of Asheville, Lake James State Park (2229 Lake James State Park, Nebo, N.C.) includes two areas to access this picturesque lake that is perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing. Campsites at both Catawba River and Paddy's Creek accesses provide an opportunity to spend the night by the lake, with some sites accessible only by paddling. Trails include bike trails at Paddy's Creek, the kid-friendly Holly Discovery Trail, the historic Overmountain Victory Trail, and the Fonta Flora State Trail.
About North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina State Parks manages more than 256,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 19.8 million visitors annually.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, three science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 41 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.