Anyone been to Fontana Lake in NC?

T

tparrent

New member
Searched the forum and it looks like a couple people were planning on going there in the past.

Due to my son's health (hopefully a very temporary setback), I have cancelled my planned cruise through the North Channel and Trent Severn. I'm thinking of cruising destinations for three or four day trips within 6 hours of Raleigh.

Fontana looks like it would be good for a few days of poking around and the drive there is quite scenic (unlike the drive to the coast).

I would also consider a stop or two on the way there and back at a couple of the other NC lakes.

I appreciate any info.

Oh, I seem to recall there is a C Brats gathering down by Oriental in September. Guess I might make that as well.

While the big trip is indefinitely deferred, there is still water around here to explore.
 
I think that is where Harrison Ford jumped off the Dam for the film the Fugitive . It looks like a beautiful lake let us know how it plays out.
 
Yes, I was there this summer--but not in a C Dory. We camped nearby and spent several days in inflatable Kayaks on Fontana Lake. My thought was that it would be a great place to explore in a C Dory. There are lots of arms--with no civilization. Much of the shoreline is the Great Smokies National Park. Bryson City is close by (small, but interesting).

I would definately recommend it. Mostly pontoon and ski type of boats are what we saw. But we only looked at several small parts of the lake. You could spend several weeks there--and I thin in the fall it would be beautiful. We make take the Caracal up there when we go in Oct.
 
Hello,
The dates for the gathering in Oriental are Sept 23- the 25th. Oriental and the surrounding area has some great day trips for cruising. Friday evening we will all get together for a Pot luck. On Sat. We are planning to cruise down the ICW ( adams Creek) to Beaufort for Lunch. BBQ for dinner that evening. Please do come on down and join us. If you need more info you can PM me with questions.


Erma
 
Tom,

Fontana Lake is one of the most beautiful in this area. We've spent a week there every year for some time. Dr. Bob is right...the entire northern part of the lake bounds Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Several places to launch. We like Almond Boat Park run by Jim and Jo Mathis. They also have rustic inexpensive cabins if you don't want to spend the entire time on the boat. More info here: http://www.almondboatpark.com/. Fontana is a deep lake and water levels vary significantly during the year. You might check on that before you travel. I have been on the lake when it felt like a small grand canyon.

Harper
 
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