All inland swim beaches and swim areas remain CLOSED. Theres more than enough elevation change on the intermediate Wimba Loops to get your heart pumping. Write: Pokagon State Park 450 Lane 100 Lake James Angola, IN 46703 Call: 260-833-2012 Online: on.IN.gov/pokagonsp SPECIAL NOTE Receipts from admission and service charges are used to help defray the operation and maintenance costs of the park. Currently, most trails and restrooms are open. IMBA Epics | Beginner loops are exactly that. Should be perfect for the final weekends of 2015 riding season. The first half of the west loop was epic tons of down hill including rollers for pump action and banked switchbacks too but the second half was all uphill with the uphills being quite steep. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/north-carolina/lake-james-state-park Ignoring such closures will cause permanent damage to the trail system and could lead to a citation and fine. It had been closed for awhile. The trail will traverse Lake James State Park, part of Pisgah National Forest and Fonta Flora County Park in Burke County. Other than a few steep places really not a place than would challenge an intermediate rider. Has potential to be really fun. Be advised that the directions of Tindo and Wimba trails have changed as of October 2 and are as follows; Tindo Trail is going in a counterclockwise direction, and Wimba Trail is going in a clockwise direction. The Lake James State Park TRACK Trail adventures (see kiosk at trailhead parking area) were designed for use on the Holly Discovery Trail, but they can be used anywhere within the park trail system. Singletracks Merch | Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2020 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | 428 photos. I stick to the west wimba loop because it's pretty fast and has good flow through the woods. This includes the swim beaches at: Cliffs of the Neuse, Goose Creek, Hanging Rock, Jones Lake, Lake James, and Lake Norman state parks; the swim piers at Lake Waccamaw, Pettigrew, and Singletary Lake state parks; and all swim areas at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake state … Fun both ways love the directional change. Raleigh, NC 27699-1615, COVID-19 information for parks under phase 3, Mountain Bike and Fonta Flora Trails CLOSED Today, Current status of facilities at Lake James State Park, Maintain a social distance of 6 feet, regardless of the behavior of others, Bring a mask or face covering; they are required to be worn inside buildings and when social distancing cannot be implemented, Share the trail — warn other trail users of your presence, step to the side or wait at the end of a bridge, Do not enter restrooms until others have cleared out and please be patient when staff is cleaning them, Wash or sanitize your hands before, during, and after your visit, Do not share equipment like phones or cameras with other visitors, If the park seems crowded when you arrive, come back another time, Stay at home if you are exhibiting symptoms. Swim beaches, boat rentals, and concession stand are closed until further notice. If you're looking for a fun ride, you won't be disappointed. Trails are very smooth and easy riding. James H. "Sloppy" Floyd State Park Surrounded by rural countryside and the Chattahoochee National Forest, this quiet park in northwest Georgia offers outstanding fishing on two stocked lakes. Your cooperation ensures we can keep the trail system healthy and functioning for YOUR benefit and safety. The mountain bike trails at Lake James State Park opened on National Trails Day, June 7, 2014.The trail system augments a swim beach, bathhouse, picnic areas, foot trails and a maintenance compound that have been opened at the parks Paddys Creek Area since 2010. Smooth for the most part. Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail to NC 126, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Best MTB Gear | Turn right onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 4.8 miles on the right. Picnic shelters and group campsites that accommodate less than 50 people are open. This includes the swim beaches at: Cliffs of the Neuse, Goose Creek, Hanging Rock, Jones Lake, Lake James, and Lake Norman state parks; the swim piers at Lake Waccamaw, Pettigrew, and Singletary Lake state parks; and all swim areas at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake state recreation areas. This impressive waterway is the centerpiece of Lake James State Park. But the Wimba loops are still a favorite that I will ride whenever my work brings me nearby them. There are no equipment rentals and concessions available. The mountain bike trails and Fonta Flora State Trail are CLOSED today, November 11. We've got 8 easy trails in Lake James State Park ranging from 1.1 to 24.9 km and from 322 to 399 meters above sea level. As mentioned in previous reviews, the "Wimba" (Intermediate) loops are where it's at...great use of terrain to ride the contours so you're getting a pretty fast clip downhill without paying for it with brutal climbs later - also makes for very nice erosion control. Here's a link to the State Park site with Trail Status, Trail Map, and Park Map: Try swimming and sunbathing or enjoy a picnic along the lakeshore. The trail seems to dry pretty fast, so the 24hr rule after rain appears to be sufficient - however, the park rangers do post open/closed status on the park website. Disregarding trail closures results in: Thank you for respecting our park's natural resources, facilities and fellow park visitors. After a half mile, turn right onto Harmony Grove Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stoplight. Taking a hike on the extensive trail system at Lake James State Park is a great way to enjoy the outdoors at your own pace. The Tindo Loops offer about 3.5 miles of smooth beginner trails with little elevation change. No great views but the trail does wind by the lake. I had a blast on these trails! Rollercoaster like. Great shape for the amount of rain they got and being closed for almost a week, a little more rain due on 10/10/2015. Delaying or proloning construction or repair; Damaging the trails, resulting in significant costs and further closure time for additional repair; Endangering yourself in addition to both state park and EMS staff who would work to get you out of harm's way if you are lost or hurt. Reviews (408) Photos (428) Recordings (376) Michael Arledge reviewed Lake James Mill's Creek Trail. http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/laja/directions.php. The Lake James State Park trail network consists of roughly 15 miles of flowy beginner / intermediate singletrack trail. We don't have any videos of this trail yet. Picnic shelters are available for casual use on a first-come, first-served basis. Traveling east on I-40: From I-40, take the Nebo/Lake James exit (exit 90) and head north. I rate them a triple F for Fast, Fun, and Flowy. Trails are expensive to construct, maintain and repair. A footbridge is closed for repairs on the southern leg of the Overmountain Victory Trail. The trail is an excellent connector to the Paddy's Creek Trail for hikers who park in the mountain bike trail system parking lot. The trail is appropriate for mountain bikers of intermediate or advanced skill levels. Would be nice to have a few more memorable moments in there. Not a single log pyramid. MTB Podcast | Still a little lumpy from the machine cut as of 9/2014. This place is a blast! Cyclists are permitted on these trails specifically—not on hiking trails. The Catawba River park office and gift shop is open Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. West Wimba trail is fast and flowy. Fun trail but a little lacking in features. Here, nature offers scenic vistas of the Appalachian Mountains and beckons to those with an appetite for recreation. You can check the trail status on the Lake James State Park Website: http://www.ncparks.gov/lake-james-state-park. A short walk to the Catawba River Area fishing pier. Lake James offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors. The beginner trail (Tindo) is short and there isn't much elevation gain but it's a little rootier and rockier than I'd expected. Very fortunate to have a great set of well maintained trails in my backyard. It is still tons of fun. The intermediate Wimba loops provide more of a challenge with 10.4 miles of trail, plenty of rollers, and a bit more climbing. You can really get hauling and hold pace relatively easily. Most visitor centers and park offices are open, and masks or face coverings are required to enter. At least it seems that way to me. I utterly shredded this trail. When park rangers feel that the park has reached a safe capacity, the entrance gates may be closed. Bring family and friends to Lake James State Park for a variety of activities. The trail is a flat, easy trek through riparian forest adjacent to Paddy's Creek. List of fees available in the main office. Get with the program people. It was a little wet but they are new trails and will need some time to season. A: No, but you can rent from Overmountain Cycles in Morganton, less than 30 minutes away. weekdays only, 121 W. Jones St. If pressed for time, experienced riders should just focus on WIMBA side. AllTrails has 9 great hiking trails, trail running trails, dogs leash trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. The West Wimba loop starts with a fairly steep hill, but isn't too bad overall. There are no changes to park facility status under the new modified Phase 3 plan, since indoor and outdoor gathering limits did not change. Unless otherwise indicated, all campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, fishing piers, and restrooms are open. Visitors can hike along three miles of lake loop trails and relax in swings while watching for the many bluebirds that live in the park. As others have said, the Wimba loops are a smooth, flowing, roller coaster! 408 reviews Directions Print/PDF Map; Share; VIEW FULL MAP. An excellent trail system - I'll definitely be going back. This is not a very technical trail system, but makes for a nice overall ride with great scenery. Support Us |