Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a prominent recreation area in North Carolina, centered around a 14,000-acre reservoir with 180 miles of shoreline. The landscape features over 4,500 acres of woodlands, including hardwood and loblolly pine forests, alongside wetland habitats. This diverse terrain provides a setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and more. The area's natural features, including numerous coves and ridges, offer varied experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers a wide array of outdoor activities for visitors. There are more than 10 routes available across several sports, including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. More than 2,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.74 out of 5 stars. Hikers and joggers can explore approximately 15 miles of trails, ranging from easy nature walks to more challenging routes with varied elevations, winding through woodlands and along the lake shoreline. For those interested in cycling, the area provides routes with expansive lake views and diverse woodlands, primarily on paved surfaces, making it suitable for road and touring bikes. Discover more about specific activities through guides such as Hiking in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area and Road Cycling Routes in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, or find Family-friendly hikes in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
59
Routes
4.8
(66)
Average rating
1141
People visited

5.0
(1)
36
hikers
4.73km
01:17
70m
70m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
17
hikers
2.91km
00:44
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.09km
00:47
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.52km
01:11
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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31.7km
01:53
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.6
(15)
90
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
65
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(17)
59
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
176
riders
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.0
(1)
45
riders
69.0km
02:55
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

17
riders
75.7km
03:21
620m
620m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

26
riders
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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84
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

66
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

34
runners
6.54km
00:41
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

37
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
23
riders
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
21
riders
42.3km
02:18
250m
250m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
43.1km
02:18
250m
250m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The area features 15 miles of hiking trails and numerous cycling routes with lake views and diverse woodlands. It is North Carolina's most popular state park, welcoming over two million visitors annually.
Yes, the recreation area provides hiking trails for various fitness levels, from easy nature walks to more challenging routes with steep hills. Popular options include the New Hope Overlook Trail for a more strenuous hike and the Seaforth Pond Trail for an easier experience. Find more details in the Hiking in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Cyclists can enjoy routes with expansive lake views and diverse woodlands, primarily on paved surfaces. A popular touring cycling route is the Jordan Lake loop from Ebenezer Church Recreation Area, which is 17.2 miles (27.6 km) long. Another option is a 19.7-mile Jordan Lake loop near Holly Springs. Explore more in the Road Cycling Routes in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Yes, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers trails suitable for families. The Seaforth Pond Trail, for example, is an easy 1.25 to 1.4-mile loop that provides lake glimpses and passes through forests. For more options, consult the Family-friendly hikes in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area guide.
The recreation area centers around the 14,000-acre Jordan Lake reservoir, surrounded by over 4,500 acres of woodlands and 180 miles of shoreline. It is a significant summer home for the bald eagle, with an observation deck available for viewing. Other wildlife includes ospreys, hawks, white-tailed deer, heron, and beavers.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a popular destination on komoot, with 11 routes available across various sports. These routes have an average rating of 4.74 out of 5 stars, based on 169 ratings. Over 2,600 visitors have shared their experiences in the area.
Yes, easy hiking trails are available, such as the Seaforth Pond Trail, which is an easy 1.25 to 1.4-mile loop. These trails often offer scenic views of the lake and pass through diverse forest types. For a comprehensive list, refer to the Easy hikes in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Yes, komoot offers guides for traffic-free bike rides suitable for road cycling, touring cycling, and gravel biking in the area. These routes allow cyclists to enjoy the scenery without significant vehicle interference. Consult the Traffic-free bike rides in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area guide for options.
The New Hope Overlook Trail is considered one of the more challenging hiking routes in the area. It features red and blue loops, measuring 5.4 miles and 2.7 miles respectively, with sections that include steep hills. This trail provides a more strenuous experience for hikers.
For general information about Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, the official phone number is +1-919-362-0586. Additional details, including park alerts and facilities, can be found on their official website. The official website is ncparks.gov/state-parks/jordan-lake-state-recreation-area.
Yes, gravel biking is an available activity at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. The area offers routes that cater to gravel cyclists, allowing exploration of diverse terrains beyond paved roads. More information can be found in the Gravel biking in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area guide.

