7 Most Beautiful Lakes In North Carolina

While North Carolina’s coastline meets the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its lapping waves and sandy beaches, it has a collection of lakes for tourists and residents to enjoy. North Carolina lake life consists of picture-perfect mountain towns and family-friendly lodging experiences. The Blue Ridge Mountains are North Carolina’s most vast mountain range, with its highest peak, Mount Mitchell, standing 6,684 feet tall, but the state also houses the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Burrowed into the state and its mountainous landscape is the perfect lakeside and camping experience. Let’s look at some of the most beautiful ones.

Bass Lake

Get in touch with nature and native flora and fauna at Bass Lake. Located in Holly Springs, North Carolina, this lake resides in a park for people to enjoy, Bass Lake Park. It contains trails and is open seven days a week. Bass Lake Park offers fishing options and even has a nature center where professional staff members can answer all questions surrounding the lake’s ecosystem. You can rent canoes or boats and fish for catfish, bass, bream, and crappie. Or you can take to the Greenway Trails around the lake that weave into forests and back into the city. On your trek, you can expect to see mallards, mourning doves, blue herons, and black vultures. The calm waters of Bass Lake are unique, nestled into a park, offering accessibility and leisure.

Fontana Lake

Fontana Lake in North Carolina offers a secluded experience. The nearest town, Robbinsonville, is 24 minutes away and is known for its thriving forests and picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains. Fun fact: Fontana Lake is the biggest lake in Western North Carolina and is surrounded by the Smoky Mountains. What makes this lake so special, though, on top of the gorgeous scenery, is it flows to Fontana Dam, the highest dam east of the Rockies, standing at 480 feet. Fontana Lake is 400 feet deep and houses bass, walleye, muskie, catfish, and yellow perch. This lake is an attraction for anglers where bass tournaments take place.

Hanging Rock State Park Lake

Originally a Civilian Conservation Corps project, the Hanging Rock State Park is where everyone can experience a traditional outdoor experience. And within it lies the Hanging Rock State Park Lake. It is 30 miles north of Winston-Salem in Stokes County. The park has hiking, camping, boating, and fishing amenities. On Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, people can swim in the lake for a charge of $7 and share the waters with largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, and redear sunfish. The lake spans 12 acres and even includes majestic waterfalls to cool off in. When exploring, take in the rolling peaks of the Sauratown Mountains that make up the park. Float on your back in the lake and take in the beauty of nature.

High Rock Lake

High Rock Lake is nestled in Lexington, North Carolina. With a population of 19,516, this town is filled with NASCAR history, wineries, arts and culture, and of course, gorgeous landscapes like High Rock Lake. Flowing in the Yadkin River, High Rock Lake is the second-largest reservoir in North Carolina. It spans 15,180 acres with 365 miles of stretching shoreline. The root of its name comes from the mountain range adjacent to it, High Rock Mountain, which is the tallest peak in the Uwharrie Mountain range. Native fish that live within the waters include crappie, trout, sunfish, bass, catfish, and walleye. Take a boat down its length and enjoy the view of the gaping mountains and lush forests.

Jordan Lake

In Chatham County, 30 miles from Raleigh, Jordan Lake takes residence in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. With accessibility to the lake, people can also camp, explore the trails, and even fish, swim, and birdwatch. This is a shallower lake, at 12 meters in depth, and houses fish species like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, black crappie, and bluegill. While fishing, you may spot double-crested cormorants flying above the water or wood ducks joining you down the stream. This lake is surrounded by flatter terrain filled with evergreen trees and beachy shores, making it a perfect, shady, and recreational location for camping.

Lake Adger

Lake Adger is hidden away in the Hendersonville and Asheville areas, stuck between two North Carolina towns, Tyron and Columbus. This is one of the most unique lakes to visit in North Carolina, as it spans over 3,250 acres with small communities sprinkled throughout. Instead of walking on foot, take the 13 miles of equestrian trails around the lake and explore the local flora, fauna, and the Blue Ridge Mountains the lake is nestled in. Sustainability and community are at the heart of Lake Adger. The lake is 22 meters deep and houses several species of fish, with largemouth bass, white bass, spotted bass, and white crappie all being the most caught.

Lake Glenville 

With Jackson County 8 miles away, Lake Glenville is a clean reservoir in North Carolina’s Mountain Rainforest area. The lake spans 26 miles with an elevation of 3,494 feet, making it the highest lake east of Mississippi. From tubing to paddleboarding to fishing and swimming, this lake is a beautiful vacation attraction. One of the most exciting things about this lake is its waterfalls. It contains three (Norton Falls, Hurricane Falls, and Mill Creek Falls), which you can all explore by boat. The species of fish that live in these waters and keep anglers coming back are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and catfish.

Each of these lakes in North Carolina boasts its own beauty, whether it be mountain peaks that touch the clouds or majestic waterfalls that bubble into the open waters. There is truly a lake for everyone in this state, with some incorporating a small-town feel while others offer an alcove of peace and seclusion. No matter which lake you travel to, you are guaranteed a beautiful experience with picture-perfect scenery.