Mountain Lake Boating and Kayaking

If your idea of relaxing is on a boat as opposed to hiking a mountain, try of Jackson County’s Blue Ridge mountain lakes or Smoky Mountains Fontana Lake. Load up your boat (We have a parking area for Trailers.) or rent a boat at Almond Boat Park on Fontana or Signal Ridge Marina and enjoy some lasting Smoky Mountain memories.

For a guided pontoon ride on Fontana Lake we suggest Fontana Guides to enjoy mountain views while cruising and conversing with friends.

For lake kayaking, enjoy the excellent guides at Endless River Adventure.

Area Lakes

Fontana Lake – The 29-mile long, 11,700-acre Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Lake has more than 240 miles of shoreline. Fontana Lake is unique: unlike many lakes, shoreline development has been kept to a minimum and more than 90 percent of the land around the Lake is either National Park Service or US Forest Service land.

Fontana Lake provides recreational boating and Lake Kayaking. Enjoy a unique perspective of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: from many places on Fontana Lake the view is unobstructed all the way to the top of Clingmans Dome, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest peak. Fontana Lake boat access is 25 minutes from the Chalet Inn and Suites.

Lake Glenville at 3,500 ft above sea level is the highest man-made lake East of the Mississippi. Lake Glenville's boat access is 40 minutes from Chalet Inn and Suites as are rentals at Signal Ridge Marina.

Cedar Cliff Lake, although not a very large lake, weighing in at 121 acres of water and 4.5 miles of shoreline; it is 2198 ft. above sea level. Cedar Cliff is 35 minutes from Chalet Inn and Suites. Parking is somewhat limited, but typically not a problem.

Bear Lake is the largest of the lakes on the East Fork of the Tuckaseigee River and 40 minutes from Chalet Inn and Suites. A remote, but beautiful area some 2559 ft. above sea level. The road to the ramp is a very good gravel road that winds easily down to the gravel parking area at the ramp. There are two concrete ramps for boat launching. The lake itself boasts 476 acres of water and 13.5 miles of shore line.

Wolf Creek Lake is the second largest lake on the East Fork of the Tuckaseigee River, however because it is off the beaten path, thus typically very peaceful. It is 2940 ft. above sea level and is 45 minutes from Chalet Inn and Suites. The ramp for this lake is a good concrete ramp, however the parking area is limited. Please use caution, as there are many shallow areas with some rock outcroppings which are not marked.

Tanasee Creek Lake – At the eastern most point on NC Highway 281 (Canada Road), sits the smallest lake of the chain of four lakes on the East fork of the Tuckaseigee River. Tanasee Creek Lake is only 39 acres. Due to the small size you cannot get a big motor boat on the lake, but you can get a small “johnboat” or try your hand at a canoe or kayak. There is a small concrete launch ramp and a gravel parking area 45 minutes from Chalet Inn and Suites. The trip up the mountain is quiet impressive.

River Boating

Tuckaseigee River from its West Fork to Fontana Lake has a series of Public Recreation Access Areas for boat and kayak put ins.

The Locust Creek access area, located on Old Cullowhee Road at River Mile 37.4 near Cullowhee, N.C., includes a boat ramp suitable for launching canoes, kayaks and small drift boats. Parking is provided and can accommodate vehicles and trailers.

The C.J. Harris access area is at 446 North River Road in Dillsboro above the former Dillsboro Dam site. The park provides access to the Tuckaseegee river via a put-in ramp for kayaks and canoes. It also has public parking and four public bathrooms.

The Barkers Creek access area, located on Hwy. 74 at River Mile 26.8, near Whittier, N.C., includes a boat ramp suitable for launching canoes, kayaks and small drift boats.

The Whittier access area at River Mile 20.6 or 120 Church St. in Whittier, is designed for launching and retrieving canoes, kayaks and drift boats, includes one boat launch ramp with a paved turn-around area, a gravel parking lot for 11 vehicles with trailers, an information kiosk and security lights.