You can also catch the popular Lake Shore Trail here, which offers expansive views of Lake Norman. This is a popular spot to swim, as the park offers numerous amenities, including a bath house and concession stand, on a grassy knoll above the water. Located on the northern shore of Lake Norman, Lake Norman State Park draws hikers, bikers, and horseback riders to this lakefront recreation area. With Charlotte just a short drive away, Lake Norman is an ideal lake getaway that’s still close to a big city.

Several towns dot the shoreline around Lake Norman, the largest being Cornelius, Davidson, and Westport, where you can grab amenities, explore a historic Main Street, or enjoy a crab cake sandwich at a waterfront restaurant. The lake area is also home to numerous hiking and biking trails, including a popular network comprising more than 30 miles of single-track mountain biking routes. You can also catch a sunset dinner cruise here, or go on a sailing excursion through the lake’s island passages and winding coastline. On a hot summer day, the surface of the lake is dotted with boaters, kayakers, and waterskiers, while swimmers splash into the water from the shores of Lake Norman State Park, which has a 125-yard long swimming beach. The largest manmade lake in North Carolina, Lake Norman offers 500 miles of coastline and several marinas just north of the Charlotte metropolitan area.

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