Lake Norman State Park

This place was absolutely amazingI could bit believe how big it really is. The lake is really nice. It is pricy though. There were plenty of boats on the dock that were cool. The gas on the docks in 2024 is $5.99. I can't wait to come back and fish this area one day

This place is huge! And you can choose from a pretty long list of activities: Camping, hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, boating, etc etc.We only stopped in for a quick hike on the Lakeshore Trail, which I think only scratches the surface of this park. Nicely laid out, with good roads and clean and tidy pullouts with marked trails, but road signs could be a bit clearer. A beautiful spot - or at least what little we saw.

Beautiful park with so many options of things to do. They have a wonderful visitor center, hiking, fishing and many picnic areas with grills available. Being the bikes and explore. The park is educational and easy to navigate. The trails are well marked and relatively easy. The alder loop wraps around the lake and the view is awesome. This is a relaxing park that's well maintained and offers plenty of parking. I loved all the signs with detailed information about the plants, trees, animals and birds.

We were looking for a place to take in some views of the lake that were handicapped accessible. We found a couple spots. We could have used some more shady accessible spots to sit but overall it was a pleasant visit.

We wanted a hike close to Charlotte, so after 8 years of living in Charlotte, we finally checked this park out. I wasn't really expecting much from it. I was expecting to just hike by a bunch of mansions on the lake. I ended up being really impressed. We did the Lakeshore Trail which is 6 miles and mostly flat with a few hills. As the name implies, most of it is along the lake shore with the end cutting through the woods to complete the loop. The trail actually felt pretty secluded. There were parts that viewed the mansions, but a lot of it was near secluded coves. We got there early and the trail didn't have many people on it. If you want to get outside without too far of a drive, this is a great park to check out.

Fantastic place to meet and visit with friends! We parked up by the visitor center then ate a picnic lunch at the table right up front. Enjoyed the rocking chairs in a light thunderstorm on the back patio of the visitor center! Beautiful and clean bathrooms! Lots of parking. There is other picnic areas around the area closer to the lake! Patio has a wonderful view of the lake! Outstanding day!!

Absolutely beautiful.... So peaceful..... you must explore.We're new to the area & were showing our visiting family some spots.... I will definitely return to spend the day!! Love it!!

This park is a bit of a drive away for us but we'll worth the hour trip! First time for us, and we will certainly be back! I love that the kids were able to get a beach day experience without having to drive to the coast! And the swimming area is cordoned off for safety. The scenery from the beach is beautiful, and the kids got excited by seeing boats and people fishing by the pier as well. Lake Norman park is absolutely huge and offers so much more than just the beach, even though I could easily see us bringing the chairs next time and just staying at the beach all day! My daughters didn't want to leave! But Lake Norman also offers several hiking trails (note: not stroller friendly), one of which is 3 miles. We didn't get to do that one this time, but they also have a couple of nice kid friendly trails to hike too! Just gotta watch your step! There's also a trail for dirt bikes, lots of camp grounds, picnic tables, and grills. One thing to note: alcohol is prohibited, and we saw this very much enforced, as a couple was forced by a park ranger to open and dump all of their alcoholic beverages.

After a Saturday spent eating and drinking ourselves into oblivion we needed to reconnect with nature a bit so on Sunday we loaded up the kids and headed to Lake Norman. What an amazing park! The beach area is perfect. Enclosed in a little lagoon kind of area, there was plenty of space to set up camp and relax on the sand. My kids loved wading in and out of the water which was shockingly warm for so early in the season. We attempted the lake shore trail and while I really love it and would happily do it minus the toddler it was too rooty and uneven for her. They do have a child geared walking trail as well it by the time we tried to head over there the little one had fallen asleep anyway! The park rangers are on top of things which you may or may not appreciate. They have tons of signs about no alcohol and we witnessed a young couple get caught with some and made to dispose of all of it, so they are watching! Be mindful of that and don't wave your can of beer about whilst singing 99 bottles of beer on the beach wall! Another amazing nature space in NC not to be missed.

Stayed the weekend tent camping with friends, and had a great time May 18, 19, 2018. Very nice tent campground and already planning a longer stay with the same friends some time in late October 2018. Campgound sites are clean and the bath-house was cleaned every morning at 6:45am. Hot water for a shower which is nice. Paved roads throughout and it was nice and quit (no generators past 10pm i think).Camp ground hostess was very friendly and helpful and kept a good eye out for "squatters". $5 a bundle for oak firewood. Get it from the camp hostess thou as the bundles from the visitors center are more like kindling. Can't wait!