This beautiful 1,934-acre park was created in 1962 when Duke Power Company donated 1,328 acres on the shores of Lake Norman to the state of North Carolina. Fed by the Catawba River, Lake Norman was created when Duke dammed the river to create electricity. Named after former Duke Power president Norman Cocke, it is the largest man-made body of freshwater in North Carolina and is sometimes referred to as the “inland sea”. The Catawba natives thrived here until the mid-18th century; there are artifacts and burial sites in the area as well as underneath the lake. The park is steeped in Revolutionary War and American history.
Four hiking trails range from .15 mile to 30.5 miles long, the longest being the Itusi Trail, which is extremely popular with mountain bikers. A 125’ day-use beach area offers restrooms/showers, lockers, a concession, picnicking, and a fishing pier. Swimming is permitted from April to October, but lifeguards are not always present.
Overnight campers can choose from 32 non-electric sites or five primitive group camps which accommodate up to 26 people. Restrooms and potable water are located nearby. Reservations are highly recommended.
The park also has an impressive visitor center, a boat launch, and kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and pedal boats for rent. Fishing, picnicking, and bird-watching are popular activities here. Wildlife such as deer, muskrats, coyotes, turkeys, ospreys, herons, ducks, and copperheads call this place home, so please be aware and respectful of flora and fauna at all times. Overall a gorgeous park I wish I had more time to explore, that’s for sure!
Vegan-on-a-Budget Travel Guide 