Hello, I have a new to me old town discovery 169 and interested in trying out some canoe camping. I've only ever backpacked and been limited to what I can carry. With the canoe we can haul a bit more. Has anyone ever camped at the Lake James paddle in spots? How long is the paddle in and what are some things that I shouldn't forget to bring as compared to backpacking.
Lake James - paddle in camping
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I'm asking specifically about the camp sites that you reserve, it looks like they have a fire pit and tent pad.
ronn47
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Is wood available at the sites?
Water?
Negative on the water, the wood is something I don't know. I know in the other state parks we've camped in they would make you buy wood as you can't bring your own and can't collect it.
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MacEntyre
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Never done it, wanted to for long time, only thing I know is the section of the Linville River just upstream from Lake James, below the MST crossing, is supposed to be excellent for fly fishing.
CONTACT LAKE JAMES STATE PARK
[email protected]
PARK OFFICE
828-544-6800
CONTACT LAKE JAMES STATE PARK
[email protected]
PARK OFFICE
828-544-6800
I had to look up what that was, I was planning on bringing my MSR whisperlite that I normally use.
The state park has a pretty good map of the area, The Go Paddling App might have some stuff too.
Only info I found was that it's less than 2 miles.
Only info I found was that it's less than 2 miles.
Haven't done paddle-in on Lake James, but did some at New River SP in July. The first night, we had the entire site to ourselves! It was great, though our designated campsite was a wreck when we got there - glass & plastic bottles in the firepit, which was about 16" deep (no metal ring, it was primiteve camping save for an outhouse about 1/4 mile away), an abandoned inflatable float thing, and some litter around. We left a few pounds heavier than we arrived.
That said, yes, you can carry a lot of luxury in a boat! Definitely worth it, especially of you can do a layover day and just enjoy riverside or lakeside camping. You less likely to feel crowded, too, especially this time of year.
That said, yes, you can carry a lot of luxury in a boat! Definitely worth it, especially of you can do a layover day and just enjoy riverside or lakeside camping. You less likely to feel crowded, too, especially this time of year.
Are they paddle-in sites or are you talking about the state park?
I know the lake very well, but it's been a few years since I've been on it.
We had a camper set up for a few years, and before that we had a boat-in primative site leased that was part of the power company's land. That was our own private little bottleneck cove.....loved it!....and the lease was $125 annually!
Grew up tent camping at Goodman's since I was about 6y/o.
I much prefer the Linville side with clearer water and lots of walleye!
I did this trip last year.
The paddle in sites are better thought of as boat in. Lots of folks on pontoons, etc., While we were there. And of course lots of motorized traffic on the lake during the day.
Wood was sold by the camp host and I think also at the main office. After paddling to our site, we hiked over to the host's site for wood.
Also used OnX to find a spot we could paddle down the lake, leave canoes in the bushes, and hike to the brewery.
I'm including a pic from when I slipped out to fish a little before the motorboats got going.
The paddle in sites are better thought of as boat in. Lots of folks on pontoons, etc., While we were there. And of course lots of motorized traffic on the lake during the day.
Wood was sold by the camp host and I think also at the main office. After paddling to our site, we hiked over to the host's site for wood.
Also used OnX to find a spot we could paddle down the lake, leave canoes in the bushes, and hike to the brewery.
I'm including a pic from when I slipped out to fish a little before the motorboats got going.
How many nights did you stay? Did you bring in water or used a filter?
We were there two nights. We took advantage of the canoes to pack water in.
Also, the sites are pretty well separated for a state park loop, but not as far as I'd hoped for a boat-in area. Someone's child and/or dog got in a lot of trouble that weekend, judging by the yelling.
In terms of unexpected things to bring, I'd have shoes that can get wet for paddling, dry shoes for hiking, and sandals or similar for camp, if you can find the space.
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We’ve done this trip several times. You can paddle in or motor boat. Lake James is great. Took our own water and bought firewood from the park. Study the map and google earth, some sites are closer to the water than others.