Lake Norman State Park Offers Watersports and More
Drive out to Lake Norman on a warm day‚ and you’re bound to find it buzzing with activity.
“The lake is extremely popular‚” says Linda Walker‚ account manager for Queen’s Landing cruise firm. “It’s a very busy lake‚ especially on the weekends.”
Formed in the late 1950s when Duke Power built Cowans Ford Dam across the Catawba River to provide electrical energy for the Charlotte area‚ the 32‚510-acre lake‚ nicknamed the “Inland Sea‚” now serves a different purpose. Ski boats skim the waters‚ swimmers cool off with afternoon dips and anglers try their luck.
Many visitors access the lake through Lake Norman State Park‚ which stretches for 13 miles along the lake’s northeastern shore. The park also offers hiking trails‚ picnic areas‚ interpretive programs‚ campgrounds‚ and its own 33-acre lake for swimming‚ fishing and boating.
Lake Norman is a popular spot for all kinds of watercraft‚ from sailboats to yachts. Among them are the Catawba Queen and Catawba Belle‚ modern replicas of old-fashioned Mississippi River paddle-wheelers. Both offer lunch‚ dinner and sightseeing cruises with climate-controlled decks. During the cruises‚ the guides like to point out the former home of movie star Burt Reynolds and houses where NASCAR drivers such as Rusty Wallace live. But the highlight of the trip may be the spectacular views.
“You get out there and let your cares go with the waves‚” Walker says.
The showboats dock at Queen’s Landing‚ a family-entertainment complex with miniature golf‚ bumper boats and live entertainment. Adventurous visitors can go parasailing or hot-air ballooning from Queen’s Landing.
Lake Norman is also known as a fisherman’s paradise. Some of the most varied and plentiful species of fish in the state are found here‚ including bass‚ catfish‚ shad‚ perch and crappie. With the area’s moderate climate‚ fishing is a year-round sport.
A volunteer group called Lake Norman Cove Keepers helps keep North Carolina’s largest lake clean. Jay Bunzey‚ the group’s lake keeper‚ says the organization tries to check the water quality regularly.
“It’s a great place to get out‚” says Bunzey‚ who enjoys sailing on the lake. “It’s the No. 1 recreation lake around here.”
