Things to do nearFontana Lake

Fontana Lake was formed between 1942 and 1944 when the TVA dammed the Little Tennessee River to generate power during World War II. The resulting reservoir flooded several small Appalachian communities, and remnants of old roads and foundations occasionally surface during low-water periods, giving the lake a quietly layered history.

Today, Fontana Lake sits along the southern boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it a rare place where you can paddle or fish in open water and step onto a national park trail within minutes. The Appalachian Trail crosses Fontana Dam itself, and backcountry campsites along the northern shore are accessible only by boat, rewarding those who make the trip with genuine wilderness quiet.

Anglers find the lake productive year-round, with smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, and muskellunge all present in good numbers. Fishing charters operate out of the marina near the dam, and guided kayaking tours introduce paddlers to the coves and inlets that define the lake's character.

The surrounding landscape, framed by the peaks of the Nantahala National Forest, turns vivid in autumn, making Fontana Lake one of the most rewarding fall destinations in the southern mountains.