Best National Park Cary Near Me

4worldlovers: Located in Chatham County 30 miles west of downtown Raleigh, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area includes seven access areas that provide plenty of camping, boating, and swimming opportunities. Campers have more than 1,000 campsites at five accesses to choose from, whether they use a tent, trailer, or RV, and whether they camp with family, friends, or a group. The beautiful lake is one of the largest summertime homes of the bald eagle, and an observation platform makes for easy spotting of our national bird.


Not every access has all the listed facilities. Please check the General Information page to view a table of the facilities at each access.

A privately owned marina near Crosswinds campground provides slips and storage, and fishing boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals.

Entrance fees are charged per vehicle on weekends and holidays in April, May, and September, and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The park is free to access for day use during the rest of the year. Fees are also charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted on swim beaches or inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

Park staff lead regularly scheduled interpretive programs that allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderfully. Learning opportunities are available for all ages. Most events are free, though some may require pre-registration.

Make your special occasion naturally wonderful. State parks are great places for birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and more. Learn more about event permits and fees on the Facilities page.

Friends of State Parks is a nonprofit citizen organization supporting, promoting, and advocating for the North Carolina State Parks system as a whole. Though Jordan Lake State Recreation Area does not currently have a local friends group, FSP helps support Jordan Lake, and the group can receive donations dedicated to a specific park.

We are always grateful for helping hands! Please contact park staff at jordan.lake@ncparks.gov for any inquiries regarding volunteer opportunities at the park. You can also check the park's Event Calendar to see if any volunteer work days have been scheduled by park staff.

4worldlovers: This 160 acre park offers athletic fields, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, fitness and nature trails, and a 50+ acre lake.

Over 3 miles of developed nature and fitness trails (2 miles of paved greenway, 1 mile natural walking trail)