Jordan Lake near Apex, NC

Jordan Lake near Apex, NC holds a special place in our North Carolina life. So many happy occasions have happened on its shores - kids’ birthdays with boat rides and inflatable tubes, evening fishing at sunset, tent camping with songs by the campfire, with children, friends and, of course, shashlik.

Jordan Lake is a vast reservoir of 14,000 acres west of Raleigh that supplies drinking water to several neighboring cities, and delights residents with its quiet, welcoming nature: sandy beaches, more than a thousand campsites right on the shore, and every kind of water sport - water skiing, jet skis, kayaks, sailing, fishing and swimming. And best of all, the lake is just 15 minutes away!

The lake was created in 1967 for flood control and named B. Everett Jordan Lake after the former U.S. senator from North Carolina. Local authorities had to relocate residents of several villages from the land set aside for the new lake; many farm buildings and equipment remain on the lakebed, now habitat for game fish like largemouth bass, crappie, striper, bream and catfish. Along its shores live bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, great blue herons, flying squirrels and beavers.

Recreation areas around the lake

The recreation area is divided into several sections. Along the eastern shore:

• Poplar Point - 579 campsites for RVs and tents, 363 with electricity; boat ramp for campers, amphitheater, playground, trails, public beach, restrooms and showers
• Crosswinds Campground - 182 campsites for RVs and tents, 134 with electricity; boat ramp for campers, amphitheater, trails, public beach, restrooms and showers
• Ebenezer Church - boat ramp open 24 hours, scenic picnic area with grills and tables, picnic pavilion, amphitheater, playground, trail, public beach, restrooms and showers
• White Oak - large picnic pavilion seating 60 tables, boat ramp, public beach, volleyball court
• New Hope Overlook - boat ramp, wilder camping spots and the longest trail in the recreation area at 5.4 miles
• Farrington Point - boat ramp only
• Poes Ridge - boat ramp only

On the western shore:

• Parkers Creek - 250 campsites for RVs and tents, 120 with electricity; boat ramp for campers, scenic picnic area with grills and tables, picnic pavilions, amphitheater, trails, public beach, restrooms and showers
• Vista Point - group campsites and 50 RV-only sites with electricity; boat ramp and a sailboat launch area, picnic pavilion, volleyball court, trails, public beach and restrooms
• Seaforth - boat ramp, scenic picnic area with grills and tables, picnic pavilion, playground, public beach and restrooms
• Robeson Creek - boat ramp only, open 24 hours

There is also the Crosswinds Boating Center, a private marina where you can rent a pontoon, kayak or fishing boat.