Lake Norman State Park , formerly known as Duke Power State Park, preserves year-round recreational lands surrounding one of North Carolina's largest manmade reservoirs, originally created in the early 1960s. The park, which is located within Iredell County near the city of Troutman, spans the lake's northern shoreline near the mouth of Hicks Creek and offers seasonal amenities such as a 125-yard swimming beach and public bathhouse. Boat ramps are also available for use during the warmer months, along with a number of trail-access fishing spots perfect for catching largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, crappie, and bluegill. Visitors can also enjoy more than 30 miles of mountain biking trails throughout the park or stay overnight at one of 33 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis.

759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC 28166, Phone: 704-528-6350

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