Started in 1987, Lake James State Park had 471,566 visitors in 2014. The park added 2,915 acres (1,180 ha) purchased from Crescent Resources, which once managed Duke Energy real estate, in the Long Arm Peninsula and Paddy's Creek areas in 2005. On January 11, 2016, GovernorPat McCrory announced the addition of 129 acres (52 ha) with 8,900 feet (2,700 m) of shoreline. The land was purchased for $1.74 million through the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Crescent Communities (formerly Crescent Resources) had kept the land in 2005 but sold it after The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina arranged the deal.[2][3]
Nearby state parks
The following state parks and state forests are within 30 miles (48 km) of Lake James State Park: