Fontana Lake

The 480-foot-high Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River is the tallest dam in the TVA system. The lake is located in Graham and Swain counties in western North Carolina. Fontana Lake is a 29-mile-long scenic mountain lake with more than 280 miles of shoreline and nearly 11,000 acres of water at normal summer pool elevations. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders the northern shoreline of the lake while the Nantahala National Forest borders the southern shore. Game fish in Fontana include smallmouth and largemouth bass, white bass, walleye, and crappie.

From Knoxville, go south on Highway 129 approximately 14 miles to where it joins Highway 411. Turn right and follow 129/411 about 4 miles and turn left on 129 at the split. Go 28 miles on 129 and turn left at Deals Gap on Highway 28; then watch for signs.