LAKE JAMES, NC

Experience the Wonders and Tranquility of Lake James!

Imagine building a private compound for your family among mountains and emerald green forests so lush and beautiful they were chosen as the setting for the 1992 motion picture “The Last of the Mohicans."  Welcome to Lake James, North Carolina!

Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Appalachians, in the gently rolling piedmont of the Blue Ridge Mountains and 1,200 feet above sea level, Lake James offers natural beauty, mountain vistas, and clear blue water.  The Lake, fed by the Pisgah Mountains was created between 1916 and 1923, and boasts 150 miles of wooded shoreline and 6510 acres of alluring cool water with hidden coves, providing for numerous activities from fishing, boating, sailing, skiing or taking pleasure in watching the sunset behind the mountains.  So pristine and meticulously managed, it is one of the clearest and cleanest lakes in the Carolinas.

Lake James celebrates its environment and engenders the best of life in Western North Carolina, including a wide array of state and national parks like Lake James State Park, Linville Gorge, and South Mountains State Park.  Residents enjoy access to surrounding historic quaint main street  communities such as Morganton, Marion, Valdese and Hickory, while still in close proximity to some of the most exciting communities in the Carolinas. 

Also conveniently near nationally recognized health care facilities and a wealth of natural attractions and entertainment venues, if you are looking to build or buy you must see Lake James and experience for yourself the splendor, serenity and breathtaking views of the mountains. Then you will know why this lake is in a class by itself.

In fact, it’s easy to get away from it all on Lake James, but when you’re ready to explore a little, you’re just an hour away from a thriving arts and cultural community in Asheville, N.C., an hour-and-a-half from the metropolitan cities of Charlotte, N.C., and Greenville, S.C., and an hour-and-a-half from skiing in the Appalachian Mountains.

Geographically, Lake James straddles Burke County and McDowell County, between the towns of Marion and Morganton, just minutes from I-40 and downtown Morganton, NC. A place where peace and quiet solitude are still easy to find.

Surrounding communities
Lake James calls Marion, N.C., home, but the community is close to the historic towns of Morganton, Valdese and Hickory, which each offer a unique personality and history, as well as a wealth of community celebrations.

Marion, N.C.

• Marion’s quaint main street shops and restaurants are perfect for a relaxing afternoon or an excursion with quests.

• Marion’s always a welcoming place for a picnic or a stroll, offering three public parks to residents and visitors.

• You won’t want to miss Marion’s annual Mountain Glory Festival in October, which envelops festival-goers in the blaze of changing leaves in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Morganton, N.C.

• Morganton received a 2000 National Main Street Award for the preservation and revitalization or its historic downtown.

• Distinguished by tree-lined streets, beautiful landscaping and more than 100 unique shops, downtown Morganton has worked hard to preserve the integrity of its historic architecture.

• Morganton provides Lake James residents all the necessities of life, including dry cleaners, post offices, convenience stores and the health care facilities of Grace Hospital.

• Downtown Morganton is the site of lively community events such as TGIF Friday night concerts on the lawn of the Historic Burke County Court, the Historic Morganton Festival and more.

• The City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (CoMMA) welcomes Broadway productions, local and regional performances, a host of nationally and internationally known artists and is home to a striking fresco painted by North Carolinian, Ben Long.

Valdese, N.C.

• Just a short drive from Black Forest, downtown Valdese is noted for its beautiful brick-lined streets adorned with flowers.

• Founded by the Waldenese people from the Cottian Alps in Northern Italy, Valdese is the site of the Waldensian Heritage Wines vineyard. Founded in 1930, the Valdese Winery is open for daily tours and wine tastings that reflect the Waldensian Heritage Wine motto: “Life is too short to drink bad wine.”

• In the summer, visitors and residents enjoy an annual outdoor drama, “From This Day Forward,” depicting the story of the Waldenese people.

• Valdese’s Heritage Arts Center is home to an array of artists, featuring pine needle baskets, woodworking, watercolors, pottery, jewelry and stained glass.

Hickory, N.C.

• The self-proclaimed “furniture capital of the world,” Hickory, N.C., is a sought-after destination for those seeking finely crafted furniture.

• The community offers an array of furniture outlets and smaller stores, including the Hickory Furniture Mart and the Catawba Furniture Mart.

• For sports enthusiasts, Hickory offers the Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball team, the Greater Hickory Classic on the PGA Champions Tour and motorsports at the Hickory Motor Speedway.

Proximity to Major Cities

• Asheville, N.C. - 60 minutes
• Greenville, S.C. - 2.25 hours
• Charlotte, N.C. - 90 minutes
• Greensboro/Winston-Salem, N.C. - 90 minutes
• Raleigh, N.C. - 3.5 hours
• High Point, N.C. - 2 hours
• Columbia, S.C. - 3 hours
• Atlanta -  5 hours