🌊 Paddle Lake James — NC’s Hidden Sea in the Blue Ridge

Sunday, March 8th | 11:00 AM
📍 Lake James — Paddy’s Creek Access (Nebo, NC)
🛶 6–8 miles | 2.5–3 mph | Moderate Pace

There are places in North Carolina that feel almost unreal. Lake James is one of them.

Tucked at the foot of the Blue Ridge, this 6,800-acre expanse of shimmering water feels less like a mountain lake and more like a hidden inland sea — where ridgelines roll straight into the water and the sky opens wide above you. From the right vantage point on a calm day, you can catch sweeping views of Mt. Mitchell, the rugged spine of the Black Mountains, and the wild folds of the Linville Gorge rising in the distance. It’s one of the rare places where mountain majesty and open water meet in the same breath.

We’ll launch from Paddy’s Creek Access and paddle approximately 6–8 miles at a steady, moderate pace of 2.5–3 mph. Expect open-water stretches, scenic shoreline cruising, and plenty of moments to pause, breathe, and take it all in.

🚣 What to Bring
• Paddle board, kayak, or canoe
• PFD (required)
• Water + snacks
• Sun protection
• Layers depending on forecast

If you don’t have a paddle board, you’re absolutely welcome to bring a kayak or canoe — just note that paddle boarders typically move a bit slower than kayaks and canoes. We’ll aim to stay cohesive as a group, but slight pacing differences are natural.

🍻 Post-Paddle Social

After we come off the water, we’ll head just five minutes up the road to Fonta Flora Brewery for a casual social hour. Good craft beer, good conversation, and that post-paddle glow that only a day on Lake James can give you.

If you’ve never paddled Lake James before, this is your invitation. If you have, you already know — it’s hard not to fall a little in love with it.

Let’s get out there. 🌄