Asheville Area Offers Up Plenty of Great Lake Escapes

Asheville and the surrounding areas are overflowing with public-access lakes perfect for lazing away an afternoon, enjoying water activities, fishing, hiking or camping. Here are a few favorites:

Lake Lure

Located 26 miles southeast of Asheville, Lake Lure offers the perfect spot for spending the day. Famed as the backdrop for the 1987 film classic “Dirty Dancing,” Lake Lure offers a large, sandy beach with water slides and water games, a change area with bathrooms and snacks, boat tours, and a lakeside greenway, all nestled in the scenic Hickory Nut Gorge. Discover Lake Lure Real Estate.

Lake Junaluska

Situated near Maggie Valley, this compact lake anchored by a spiritual retreat offers boat tours, hiking trails, lakefront hotels and cabins. It’s a quick 28 miles west of Asheville. Discover Lake Junaluska Real Estate.

Fontana Lake

A large lake in Bryson City with more than 200 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline, Fontana (75 miles west of Asheville) boasts the tallest dam in the Eastern U.S. Visitors can drive or walk the Appalachian Trail across the dam. Boat and houseboat rentals, picnic and cookout areas are available.

Lake James

This state park near Linville Gorge is popular for its sandy beach, hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing and camping spots, including a boat-in campground. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent at the lake, which is 47 miles east of Asheville.

Lake Glenville

This reservoir near Cashiers (68 miles southwest of Asheville) offers tubing, skiing, paddle boarding, swimming and fishing, as well as a public beach. Pontoons and tritoons are available to rent. Three waterfalls are accessible from the lake.

Lake Santeetlah

Located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Nantahala National Forest, Santeetlah offers fishing and water activities, as well as a lakeside campground and beach.

Lake Jocassee

This S.C. destination in Devils Fork State Park, two hours from Asheville, boasts clear waters perfect for swimming and scuba diving. Lodging options include RV and tent camping, as well as boat-in camping and lakeside villas.

Lake Tomahawk

This nearby lake in Black Mountain (25 minutes east of Asheville) offers a walking trail, fishing, and a swimming pool onsite. Picnic areas and grills are also available.

And for in-town options, check out these spots:

Beaver Lake

This North Asheville lake five minutes from downtown Asheville boasts a partially shaded walking path and a bird sanctuary. While there is no swimming, boating permits are available, as are catch-and-release fishing permits.

Lake Julian

Ten minutes south of downtown Asheville, this Buncombe County park is perfect for boating (daily or annual fee). Visitors can also fish, or enjoy one of the picnic shelters.

Lake Powhatan

This lake and its campground, 20 minutes southwest of downtown Asheville, border Bent Creek Experimental Forest. There is a beach and swimming area (no watercraft of any kind permitted); trout fishing is a popular pastime at the lake. Glamping sites are also available.

For more information on real estate near public-access lakes, or anywhere in Asheville or Western N.C., please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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