Overview
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area comprises 9 recreation areas on 46,768 acres surrounding a 14,000-acre man-made lake. Jordan Lake is known for having an abundance of bald eagles. The best places to view bald eagles are on the NC 751 bridge and the Wildlife Resources Commission's Wildlife Observation Deck overlooking Eagle Island off of NC 751. In addition to wildlife viewing, there's hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, canoeing, and swimming.
While it is free to access the lake at any of the off road areas, there is an entrance fee to get into the 9 recreation areas. The fee is $5 per car, $10 per bus, and $3 for senior citizens (62+ years old). There are also additional fees for picnic shelters and camp sites.
Wildlife
White-tailed deer, beavers, river otters, woodchucks, groundhogs, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, catfish, bowfish, bass, sunfish, shad, crappie, freshwater mussels, crayfish, snakes, turtles, frogs, toads, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, bald eagles, osprey, cormorants, songbirds, ducks, loons, seagulls, hawks, owls, wild turkeys, blue-tailed skinks, butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, and velvet ants.
Unfortunately, there has been extensive deforestation for new subdivisions around Jordan Lake, so wildlife viewing is becoming increasingly difficult.
Plant Life
Mushrooms, azaleas, wildflowers, honeysuckles, kudzu, wisteria, sassafras, sumac, poison oak, poison ivy, river birches, ironwoods, dogwoods, eastern red cedars, beech trees, oak trees, pine trees, red maples, black walnuts, yellow poplars, southern magnolias, and eastern redbuds.
Landmarks
Eagle Island and Jordan Lake Dam.
Location
The main office of Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is located off of US 64 in Chatham County. From Raleigh/Durham, take I-40E to US 64W towards Pittsboro/Asheboro. The entrance will be on your right just before the bridge over Jordan Lake.
The Wildlife Resources Commission's Wildlife Observation Deck to view Eagle Island is located off of NC 751. From Durham, take I-40W to the NC 751 exit. Turn left onto NC 751. After you cross a small section of the
lake, go less than a mile and turn right into a gravel drive to the
parking lot.
Hours
Park Hours:
8 AM - 9 PM May - Aug
8 AM - 8 PM Sept & April
8 AM - 7 PM Oct & March
8 AM - 6 PM Nov - Feb
Park Office Hours:
9 AM - 5 PM
Closed on state holidays.
External Links 
Official Site
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Jordan Lake and Dam
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