Since the mid-1940s, Fontana Lake has provided unparalleled recreation within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a portion of the park’s southern border, the lake also provides access by boat to some of the farthest reaches and most remote areas of the park. With steep mountains cradling all sides of the lake (except the reservoir’s dam), and endless fun awaiting, there’s almost nothing in life that a day on North Carolina’s Fontana Lake can’t cure.

At 480-feet, Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the eastern United States. It's also an impressive 2,365 feet long.
Fontana Dam and Visitors Center, Fontana Dam, NC 28733, USA
Google/Rafael Lugo
Add to those stats the lake's maximum depth of 440 feet (the deepest lake in North Carolina) and a total length of 17 miles when it's filled to capacity.
Marje / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
In short, there's plenty of room to explore and then find a cove to call your own for a swim or a picnic. From high above, Fontana Lake may look narrow, but when you're out on the water...
Google/Cris Sleightholm

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It's a totally different perspective. Fishing, boating, swimming, and even camping and hiking are favorite activities in and around the lake.
sstevens3 / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Several boat ramps provide access all year round, with summer being the busiest season. Pictured is Flat Branch Boat Ramp near Bryson City.
Flat Branch Boating Access, 2546-3200 Greasy Branch Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Google/Cris Sleightholm
While the northern edge of Fontana Lake provides the border for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the southern shores of the lake provide the border for the Nantahala National Forest. The Tsali Campground, found in the forest and along the shore of the lake, is operated by the forest service.
Tsali Campground Road, Tsali Campground Rd, North Carolina, USA
Google Maps/Thomas Anderson
In addition to wonderful campsites carved into the flora of the forest, Tsali Campground also offers mountain biking and horseback riding trails, a boat ramp for launching kayaks and motorized boats, and fishing all year round.
Google/Miguel Marquez

Is North Carolina’s Fontana Lake already your go-to spot for washing all your cares away?

This isn’t the only lake in North Carolina with the power to make you forget your worries. Hiwassee Lake is another must-visit lake, too.

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