Gorgeous Fontana Lake is the largest lake in Western North Carolina, surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. The 480-ft. tall Fontana Dam is the highest dam east of the Rockies. Walk or drive across the dam and learn about the construction during the 1940s in the Tennessee Valley Authority Visitor Center. The Appalachian Trail, which extends from Georgia to Maine, crosses Fontana Dam.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest own and protect about 90% of the 238-mile shoreline. The drive via the Indian Lakes Scenic Byway has several overlooks along the way. Fishing, boating and swimming are all popular at Fontana, but it is perhaps most appreciated by wilderness hikers and campers.
The Fontana Dam Visitor Center is open to the public from 9 AM to 7 PM daily from May through November. But you can drive or walk across the dam all year for spectacular panoramic views. The dam was featured in the 2015 film "A Walk in the Woods."
Just before the Visitor Center on the opposite side of the road is a parking area with picnic pavilion, pier and an overlook with this view of the lake.
Fontana was built during World War II to provide electric power for the war effort. A new town, housing some 5,000 people who worked around the clock in three shifts sprang up in the forest, and the project broke construction records. What was once the construction village is now Fontana Village Resort, a year-round resort with a big variety of accommodations including a lodge, cabins and camping. Also find a general store, restaurants, marina and outdoor pools.