Three designated overlooks provide views of Fontana Lake & the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the other side. The 4 long main trails wind along the lake shore and there are several connector trails, gravel roads and extension trails that give options besides the main loops. There is boat ramp access to Lake Fontana. The parking area has restrooms & an informational bulletin board. Trails alternate use between mountain bikers and horseback riders on different days 2 will always be open to mountain biking. The trails are fast, hard-packed single-track, and they’re well designed and well used. It is designed for camping, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The area is named after a Cherokee Indian who once lived in this area. Tsali Recreation Area Address: Tsali Road/ NC Hwy.In addition to providing hydroelectric power and flood control for the region, the lake created behind the dam on the Little Tennessee River is a popular site for many kinds of outdoor recreation. Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest, and deep river gorges, Fontana ranks among the most beautiful dams in the world. The tallest dam east of the Rockies at 480 feet, Fontana Dam was was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority in response to an urgent need for electric power during World War II construction began in 1942 and was finished in just 36 months. NC 28 roughly parallels the southern shore of the lake, and US 19, between Bryson City and Wesser/Lauada, briefly skims an inlet at the extreme southeastern edge.įontana Dam Address: Fontana Dam, NC, USA. While the maximum controlled elevation of the lake (top of dam gates) is 1,710 ft (520 m), the normal Summer surface elevation is 1,703 ft (519 m). From the observation tower on Clingmans Dome, on a clear day the lake can be seen nearly a mile below. When the lake is at the normal summer level, a boat may be used to access remote trailheads such as Hazel Creek. Many towns were submerged shortly after the creation of Fontana Lake, such as Proctor and Judson.įontana Lake provides the only access into the most remote areas of the National Park, unless visitors undertake a multi-day hike to get there. As with most dam-impounded lakes, the steep banks are exposed when water levels are low. The lake has many inlets into coves and many islands formed from former mountain peaks, especially near the eastern end. It has an average depth of 135 feet (41 m) and reaches a maximum depth of 440 feet (130 m), making it the deepest lake in North Carolina. The eastern end is the Tuckasegee River near Bryson City. Depending on water levels, the lake is about 17 miles (27 km) long. The lake forms part of the southern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the northern border of part of the Nantahala National Forest. įontana Lake is a reservoir impounded by Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River, and is located in Graham and Swain counties in North Carolina. Fontana Lake Address: Fontana Lake, North Carolina, USA.Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad! Family Fun in Western North Carolina! We are located in the heart of Bryson City, NC at 45 Mitchell Street, just minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Address: 45 Mitchell St, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA.HARRAH'S CHEROKEE CASINO Address: 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC, USA.
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