Lake James State Park, near Nebo in Burke and McDowell counties, encompasses 3,743 acres alongside the 6,510-acre waters of Lake James, which shape the park’s landscape. Established in 1987, it has grown through major additions, including 2,915 acres in the Long Arm Peninsula and Paddy’s Creek areas in 2005 and another 129 acres with 8,900 feet of shoreline announced in 2016. These expansions, supported by state, federal, and conservation partners, reflect a continuing effort to protect the lake’s shoreline and surrounding foothill terrain. By 2014, the park attracted 471,566 visitors, confirming its importance as a leading outdoor destination in western North Carolina.