Lake James
Recreation Plethora at Lake James Real Estate, Part 3
By Harris Realty

Heading south from your Lake James real estate, friends and family will relish the adventures near the South Mountains.  The more refined can head to the Silver Creek Golf Course or may enjoy Silver Creek Plantation real estate.  But those with prized 4-H horses raised on rural Lake James real estate will clamor to visit South Mountain State Park, a majestic mountain range peeking out from the gently rolling landscape of the piedmont, or ride out to a turkey hunt, or even tie up at Vein Mountain for exploratory emerald and gold mining—all just a few miles from your Lake James home!

South Mountains State Park

Deep in the woods southeast of Lake James and Marion real estate, the South Mountains State Park is one of the state’s most rugged parks boasting elevations up to 3,000 feet, an 80-foot-high waterfall, and more than 40 miles of trails. Equestrian camping, wild trout fishing in miles of mountain streams, mountain biking along the 18-mile loop, picnicking, and more activities await the imaginations of your family and friends.  South Mountains State Park is one of the few parks in the state parks system offering mountain bicyclists the chance to ride.  The 18-mile loop trail is strenuous and demands preconditioning before the journey.

There are a variety of marked hiking trails. The most popular trail is the rugged High Shoals Falls Loop Trail, along the Jacob Fork River to the base of crystal-clear High Shoals Falls.  The Hemlock Nature Trail is an easier wheelchair-accessible loop along the Jacob Fork River and through a forest.  Another popular but very strenuous trail is Chestnut Knob Trail, a two-mile trail.  Other hikes include Upper Falls Trail, 1.5 miles to campsite; Shinny Creek, 1.5 miles to campsite; Sawtooth Trail, 2.5 miles to campsite; Jacob Branch, 3.5 miles to campsite; Fox Trail, 5 miles to campsite; and Murray Branch, 6 miles to campsite.  Twenty backpack camping sites are offered in six areas of the park. 

The Jacob's Fork picnic area is adjacent to the parking lot and is accessible for persons with disabilities and the Shinny Creek picnic area is less than a half-mile from the parking area.  Primitive family camping is available a half mile east of the park office. 

There are also 29 miles of equestrian trails at South Mountains State Park.  Your crew can take the Dogwood Trail past Benn Knob, the second highest peak in the park at an elevation of 2,894 feet on horseback and camp with horses near the horse trailer parking area.

Vein Mountain

The Carolina Emerald Mine is located at the Vein Mountain Gold Camp south of Marion, and is the only native emerald mine open to the public in North Carolina.  Gem and mineral enthusiasts will appreciate that the ore on this property not only produces native gold, but also 40 different types of crystals and gems, including olivine, moonstone, garnets, aquamarine, tourmaline, several types of quartz, and many more.  Gold prospectors will appreciate the 30-acre property with over 4,100 feet of river frontage.  Prospectors can pan in a roofed area, use dredges, set up a high banker, or work from the roofed water flume or sluice.  Primitive riverside camping sites are available, as well as sites with power and water. 

Turkey Hunting

These areas are turkey hotspots, just waiting for your Thanksgiving feast.  (to be continued in Part 4 of ”Recreation Plethora”)