Concluding N.C. State Parks’ Year of the Spider, the last group of spiders we will explore are the trapdoor spiders. These members of the Ctenizidae family get their name from the “doors” they construct to cover their burrows.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossNovember 7, 2017conservation, nature, spider

Nature Notes

The holiday season is upon us, but don’t forget to visit Lake James State Park in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. Late fall and early winter are fantastic seasons to hike the trails in search of flora and fauna.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossNovember 7, 2017birds, conservation, nature

Park Celebrates 30 Years

Thirty years ago, McDowell and Burke counties joined together to have a state park created on Lake James. In a team effort between both chambers of commerce and county commissions, the counties lobbied their state representatives for funding for a park.

NewsMolly SandfossNovember 7, 2017birthday, celebration, events, featured, staff

Help Enhance Lake James State Park

Foothills Conservancy has a limited-time opportunity to purchase and forever protect as part of Lake James State Park the last remaining undeveloped shoreline tract on the Linville Arm of Lake James.

NewsMolly SandfossSeptember 5, 2017conservation, featured

Sea Tests for Young Boat Builders Successful

Catherine Gamewell, a rising junior at Patton High School, makes the turn in her homemade boat at the Lake James State Park swim beach. Gamewell and other students at Patton High School were participating in Paul Gantt’s Engineering Camp.

NewsMolly SandfossSeptember 5, 2017events

2nd Annual Lake James Dragon Boat Festival

Save the Date! Don’t miss the fantastic camaraderie and visual spectacle of the Lake James Dragon Boat Festival, Sept. 30, at the Paddy’s Creek Area of Lake James State Park.

NewsMolly SandfossSeptember 5, 2017events, featured

Year of the Spider: Crab Spiders

Continuing with the Year of the Spider, the next spider spotlight shines on the crab spiders. These members of the Philodromidae and Thomisidae family get their name from their crab-like appearance. Female crab spiders, like other spider species, are larger than their male counterparts.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossSeptember 5, 2017nature, spider

Nature Notes

As summer draws to a close, cooler overnight temperatures and timely weather fronts from the northwest are a harbinger of the days ahead.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossSeptember 5, 2017nature

14th Annual Catawba RiverFest

There’s Something for Everyone at RiverFest! The 14th annual Catawba RiverFest will take place on Sept. 16th.

NewsMolly SandfossSeptember 5, 2017events, featured, RiverFest

Save the Date

Lake James State Park will experience a 96-percent eclipse of the sun during the August 21st solar eclipse.

NewsMolly SandfossJuly 12, 2017events, featured

Parking Area Reseeded

During the past winter and early spring, Lake James State Park embarked on a restoration project to improve habitat and aesthetics in the Paddy’s Creek Area parking lot.

NewsMolly SandfossJuly 12, 2017conservation, nature, restoration

Bike Trail Improvement

As the mountain bike trails at Lake James State Park settle in their first years, frequent riders have offered many helpful suggestions on how they can be improved.

NewsMolly SandfossJuly 12, 2017bike, trails

Student Volunteer Cementary Clean-Up

The gravesites and surrounding area at Rock Hill Cemetery got some needed landscaping thanks to 28 Western Piedmont Community College students who volunteered a service day.

News, VolunteersMolly SandfossJuly 11, 2017featured, restoration

Year of the Spider: Fishing Spider

While certain venomous spider species drive arachnophobia, some do so by sheer size. As the Year of the Spider spins on, we focus on some of the largest species in North Carolina; the nursery web or fishing spiders.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossJuly 11, 2017nature, spider

Nature Notes

While the effects of summer put most park visitors into a swimming beach state of mind, folks with an eye for nature know it’s never too hot to enjoy the fauna and flora at Lake James State Park.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossJuly 11, 2017nature

What’s the Buzz? 17-year Cicadas Make Their Presence Felt

It was a spring to remember. A season for the ages. An experience of a lifetime… well, 17 years anyway. The Brood VI, 17-year cicadas emerged from their underground nursery after a heavy rainfall during late April

NewsMolly SandfossJuly 11, 2017featured, nature

Save the Date

The 14th Annual Catawba RiverFest will be Sept. 16. The Friends of Lake James State Park is seeking volunteers to serve on the festival planning committee. Vendors and exhibitors are also being sought for this family-friendly event.

NewsMolly SandfossMay 19, 2017events, RiverFest