Lake Nantahala has 3,800 surface acres and over 42 miles of shoreline, of which 97% is Nantahala National Forest. The Nantahala National Forest consists of 4 forests, the Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie, and Croatan which all together make up 1.2 million acres. Nantahala National Forest consists of a hiker's paradise with over 1,300 miles of hiking trails, numerous waterfalls, more than 800 campsites, 490 picnic sites, 7 swimming beaches, 11 wilderness areas, numerous lakes, plus hundreds of miles of rivers and streams, including two nationally recognized wild and scenic rivers.
Lake Nantahala has the 2nd highest surface elevation east of the Mississippi at 3,100 foot of elevation. Lake Nantahala is a beautiful area with pristine crystal clear water.
The Nantahala area was rated #1 by Good Morning America and National Geographic Adventures Magazine
of it "Top 10 Vacations with a Splash"Wayah Bald, elevation 5,385 ft. (approx. 15 minutes)
Smokey Mountain National Forest (approx. 30 minutes)
Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smokey Mountains at 6,643 ft of elevation and offers great views of the mtns and surrounding states (approx 1 hour)
Mountain Water Scenic Byway, 61 miles winding through the Southern Appalachians Hardwood Forests, numerous waterfalls, lakes, and two river gorges (approx. 45 minutes)
Nantahala National Forest Surrounds the Entire Lake
Nantahala Outdoor Center Whitewater Rafting (approx. 20 minutes)
The Great Smokey Mountain Railroads (approx. 30 minutes)
Cherokee Harrah's Casino (approx. 30 minutes)
Bartram Trail (approx. 5 minutes)
Appalachian Trail (approx. 10 minutes)
The Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway, 649 miles of scenic roadway (approx. 30 minutes)
Ocoee Whitewater Rafting Center (approx. 45 minutes)
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest (approx. 30 minutes)
Pisgah National Forest (approx. 30 minutes)
Juneywhank Falls, 75 ft waterslide, 0.25 mile hike (approx. 30 minutes)
Tom's Branch Falls, 60 ft cascade, 0.25 mile hike (approx. 30 minutes)
Indian Creek Falls, 25 ft waterslide, 1 mile hike (approx. 30 minutes)
Dry Falls, 80 ft freefall, 200 yard hike (approx. 45 minutes)
Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of the Rockies with a 411 ft drop, 0.4 mile hike (approx. 45 minutes)
Rainbow Falls, 150 ft fall, 1.5 mile hike (approx. 45 minutes)
Silver Run Falls, 75 ft fall, 200 yard hike (approx. 45 minutes)
Mud Creek Falls, 100 ft fall, no hike required, roadside (approx. 45 minutes)
High Falls, 100 ft fall, 1.2 mile hike (approx. 45 minutes)
Bridal Veil Falls, a 120 ft drop (approx. 45 minutes)
Lower Cullasaja Falls, a 250 ft drop (approx. 45 minutes)
Glen Falls is made up of 3 waterfalls all with 60 ft drops (approx. 45 minutes)
Leatherwood Falls, 100 ft cascade (approx. 30 minutes)
Wasilik Poplar, the second largest yellow poplar tree in the U.S. (approx. 30 minutes)
Biltmore Estates in Asheville (approx. 1 hour)
Maggie Valley Snow Skiing (approx. 1 hour)
Thinking about a Wedding in the mountains www.WhitewaterWeddings.com
Horseback Riding (approx. 20 minutes to 45 minutes) www.chunkygalstables.com, www.brasstownvalley.com, www.horseshoecreekstables.com
Pan for Gold in the area rivers and streams, gold pans included in rental www.sheffieldmine.com, www.goldcityamusement.com, www.cherokeerubymine.com, www.coweemtnrubymine.com, www.masonsrubyandsapphiremine.com,
www.rosecreekmine.com
Good Restaurants (20 minutes to an hour away)
Five Great Golf Courses nearby (20 minutes to an hour)
Antique Shopping
