There are two public beaches on Lake Norman for those who wish to spend the day on land. No ships can be brought to these areas, it is strictly mandatory. Boats cannot be boarded into these areas, they are strictly for swimming and non-motorized water sports. Enjoy time at Ramsy Creek and its large park with playground and many other activities.
Spend the afternoon battling the heat on Ramsey Creek Beach. Located at the end of Ramsey Creek Park, the beach is open to swimmers from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With picnic shelters, a horseshoe pit, a volleyball court, a children's playground and half an acre of clean, sandy beach, it's the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of Lake Norman. The Catawba River and its artificial reservoirs, including Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, run along the west side of Charlotte and surrounding suburbs, offering a close outdoor escape from urban sprawl.
Lake Norman State Park, on the largest artificial lake in North Carolina, has one of the most popular mountain bike networks in the region, with 30.5 miles of single-track trail. There are currently only two public swimming beaches in Lake Norman Lake State Park, on the north side of the lake (about 40 miles from Uptown) and in Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius. You'll find several dining options on Lake Norman, from casual bars with piers where you can enter straight out of the water with a wet swimsuit and sunburn to more sophisticated places, perfect for a date night or an alcoholic brunch. Lake Norman is the largest artificial body of fresh water in North Carolina, created in 1963 with the Cowans Ford Dam on the Catawba River.
You'll still find plenty to do on Lake Norman, from dinner cruises on a luxury yacht to moonlit tours on illuminated paddleboards. Lake Norman State Park is considered by many to be a great way to spend a weekend with camping facilities, hiking and mountain bike trails, plus an excellent beach. Lake Norman has a total of 32,475 acres (520 miles of shoreline) and is nearly as big as the other 10 lakes on the Catawba River combined. Here's a brief directory of access points for boating and fishing on Lake Norman with quick notes on available services.
Lake Norman State Park: The 1,934-acre park has a 125-yard sandy beach equipped with a food stand, restrooms, restrooms and lockers.
