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The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club

Bringing the enjoyment and advancement of astronomy
to everyone in the Catawba Valley for 37 years.

1211 Visitors Served by CVAC in 2013

Star Gazes at Lake James State Park Between Morganton and Marion

CVAC is pleased to assist with public star gazes sponsored by Lake James State Park. The star gazes and programs are held at the following locations:
Lake James State Park Main Site Camping Area on NC 126
Lake James State Park Paddys Creek Area on NC 126
Camp Lake James in the 1780 Development on NC 126 beyond the Paddys Creek entrance
Some indoor programs in the classroom of the Lake James State Park Main Site on NC 126

Gazes at the main site are held in the field by the showers in the camping area. It offers a dark sky but limited horizon. Paddys Creek gazes are held in the upper parking area by the buildings at the lake. Much more of the sky can be seen from there. The classroom in the office building can seat about 24 people.

The next scheduled observing events at Lake James are:

Getting There

Lake James State Park Main Site

• From I-40 you will take exit 94,west of Morganton.
• There are signs that will take you right to the park, but they do disappear from time to time.
• At the end of the exit ramp you will turn right at the stop sign.
• Less than a mile down you will turn left (west) on 70.
• Take 70 for about 1-2 miles and turn right onto Bridgwater.
• Take that for about 1-2 miles and turn left onto Benfield's Landing.
• That will end at Hwy 126 and you will turn left.
• The park entrance is 1.5 miles down on your right and is well marked.
• That road will take you to the park office.
• Before you reach the office, bear right toward the camping area
• We will set up at the top in the small grassy field near the restrooms.



Lake James State Park Paddys Creek Area

• From I-40 take the Dysartsville Rd. exit, toward Lake James.
• From the exit head North on Dysartsville Rd. to US-70W.
• Turn left onto US-70W.
• Travel 1.7 miles to Bridgewater Rd. and turn right.
• Travel 1.3 miles to Benfield's Landing Rd. and turn left.
• Travel 2.2 miles to NC-126 and turn RIGHT
• **(a left turn here will take you to the old State Park).
• Lake James State Park-Paddy's Creek Section is less than a mile down on the right.
• After you turn into the park, follow the main park road 2 miles down to the main parking lot, at which point someone will be there with further
• instructions on where to set up and park.



Camp Lake James in the 1780 Development

• 3100 Campbells Trace, Nebo, NC 28761
• From I-40 take the Dysartsville Rd. exit, toward Lake James.
• From the exit head North on Dysartsville Rd. to US-70W.
• Turn left onto US-70W.
• Travel 1.7 miles to Bridgewater Rd. and turn right.
• Travel 1.3 miles to Benfield's Landing Rd. and turn left.
• Travel 2.2 miles to NC-126 and turn RIGHT
• **(a left turn here will take you to the old State Park).
• Lake James State Park-Paddy's Creek Section is less than a mile down on the right.
• Continue PAST the Paddy's Creek entrance
• The 1780 Development and Campbells Trace entrance is 1 mile north of the Paddy’s Creek Area entrance.
• The camp is at the end of that road, probably about 2 miles in.



Lake James State Park Main Site Classroom (for programs in case of bad weather)

• From I-40 you will take exit 94,west of Morganton.
• There are signs that will take you right to the park, but they do disappear from time to time.
• At the end of the exit ramp you will turn right at the stop sign.
• Less than a mile down you will turn left (west) on 70.
• Take 70 for about 1-2 miles and turn right onto Bridgwater.
• Take that for about 1-2 miles and turn left onto Benfield's Landing.
• That will end at Hwy 126 and you will turn left.
• The park entrance is 1.5 miles down on your right and is well marked.
• That road will take you to the park office.
• The classroom is in the lower level, follow the driveway down and left of the office