🌤 Weather at Jones Lake State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–82 °F | 66–91 °F | 40–84 °F | 32–59 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Elizabethtown, 4 mi away, elevation 120 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Jones Lake State Park is a public state park in North Carolina near Elizabethtown in Bladen County. Spanning 2,208 acres and established in 1939, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | North Carolina |
| Nearest City | Elizabethtown |
| County | Bladen |
| Park Size | 2,208 acres |
| Established | 1939 |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.4/5 (400 reviews) |
Location & Getting There
Jones Lake State Park is located near Elizabethtown, North Carolina. The park’s coordinates are 34.6827, -78.5954.
Things to Do
Jones Lake is a Carolina bay — one of the thousands of shallow, elliptical depressions scattered across the Atlantic coastal plain, all of them aligned the same way, none of them satisfactorily explained. The water runs the color of strong tea, stained by decaying vegetation, and reaches a depth of just 8 feet. Wade in and the bottom vanishes from sight a step or two from shore.
Trails
| Bay Trail | 4 miles · loop · moderate — circles the lake through pond cypress hung with Spanish moss |
| Cedar Loop Trail | 1 mile · loop · easy — bay forest and wetland, on boardwalk and natural surface |
| Salters Lake Trail | 1 mile one way · moderate — longleaf pine and sand ridge, reached via half the Bay Trail |
Hiking totals about 6 miles. Along the Salters Lake spur, white paint rings on the pines mark red-cockaded woodpecker cavities — an endangered bird that excavates its nest in living, mature longleaf. The Cedar Loop is the place to look for Hessel’s hairstreak, a rare butterfly tied to Atlantic white cedar.
On the Water
Swimming, paddling and fishing are all open on Jones Lake, with seasonal boat rentals at the park. Day use is free — the boat rental is the only routine day-use charge.
Camping
20 wooded campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring, six of them with full electric, water and sewer hookups. Drinking water and a bathhouse are close by. A group site takes no more than 35 people and must be booked at least 48 hours ahead.
The Park That Opened in 1939
Jones Lake opened in 1939 as the first North Carolina state park to welcome Black visitors, at a time when the rest of the system was closed to them. That history is not a footnote here — the park served for decades as a gathering place for Black families across the southeastern counties, and the state park system names it as such today.
Planning Your Visit
| January, February, November, December | 8 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| March–May, September, October | 8 a.m.–8 p.m. |
| June–August | 8 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Closed | Christmas Day only |
| Visitor center | Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., closed state holidays |
| Getting there | Bladen County, about 40 miles southeast of Fayetteville |
For a second Carolina bay in the same county, Singletary Lake State Park lies a short drive away.
Hours, fees, trail lengths and campsite counts verified against ncparks.gov on August 5, 2026. Confirm seasonal hours before you travel.
Explore More North Carolina State Parks
Jones Lake State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in North Carolina. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in North Carolina guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Jones Lake SP — 2,208 acres — surrounds Jones Lake, a Carolina bay lake — one of the most pristine natural lakes in North Carolina. The lake’s tea-colored water, longleaf pine, and pocosin support alligators, black bears, and carnivorous plants. Venus flytraps grow naturally in the park.
Nearby Attractions
Elizabethtown — adjacent. Singletary Lake SP — 10 miles southeast. Fayetteville — 40 miles north.
More parks in North Carolina: Warwick Mill Bay State Natural Area and Bay Tree State Natural Area. See the full North Carolina state parks guide.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Jones Lake State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are permitted in all North Carolina state parks as long as they are on an attended leash and under the constant control of the owner.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Attended leash or other restraint no longer than 6 feet required at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted at swim areas or in bathhouses
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are strictly prohibited from entering any building, including cabins; no pet-friendly cabin program
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Not all campgrounds allow pets (contact the park office first); pets must be confined to tent or vehicle during quiet hours (10 p.m.-7 a.m.); at Hammocks Beach visitors must arrange their own transportation for pets to Bear Island
Are dogs allowed at Jones Lake State Park?
Pets are permitted in all North Carolina state parks as long as they are on an attended leash and under the constant control of the owner. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via ncparks.gov. More: North Carolina state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
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