Experiences
Lakes & Rivers
Find the best lakes & rivers across the Southern Appalachians, then grab a stay right nearby.
58 experiences
AnchorDeep Creek Tubing
Bryson City, NC
Popular creek tubing area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City.
AnchorFontana Lake
Fontana Dam, NC
Large mountain lake popular for boating, fishing, paddling, scenic drives, and secluded getaways.
Calderwood Lake
Tapoco, NC
Remote, deep-green reservoir on the NC/TN border along the Tail of the Dragon corridor.
Cheoah Lake
Tapoco, NC
Narrow reservoir on the Little Tennessee River framed by steep Appalachian ridges.
Fontana Lake
Fontana Dam, NC
Deep mountain reservoir on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, popular for boating, fishing, and scenic views.
Lake Santeetlah
Robbinsville, NC
Clear, quiet mountain lake in Graham County ringed by national forest shoreline.
Nantahala Lake
Topton, NC
Remote high-mountain lake feeding the famous Nantahala River below.
Nantahala River
Bryson City, NC
Class II–III whitewater river in the famous Nantahala Gorge.
Tuckasegee River
Dillsboro, NC
Wide trout river through Sylva, Dillsboro, and Bryson City — a WNC Fly Fishing Trail anchor.
Caney Fork (Cullowhee)
Cullowhee, NC
Jackson County trout stream on the WNC Fly Fishing Trail.
Lake Glenville
Glenville, NC
High-elevation lake near Cashiers with deep coves and waterfall-fed shoreline.
Lake Toxaway
Lake Toxaway, NC
North Carolina's largest private mountain lake, surrounded by waterfall country.
Lakes & Rivers
Panthertown Creek
Panthertown Creek
Cashiers, NC
Backcountry stream in the 'Yosemite of the East' near Cashiers.
Whitewater River
Sapphire, NC
Mountain river that plunges over the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies.
Chattooga River
Clayton, GA
Wild & Scenic river forming the GA/SC border — premier whitewater of the Southeast.
Lake Burton
Clarkesville, GA
Storied Rabun County lake known for waterfront cabins and Moccasin Creek State Park.
Lake Rabun
Lakemont, GA
Long, narrow Rabun County lake lined with century-old cabins and boathouses.
Soque River
Clarkesville, GA
Habersham County's legendary private-water trophy trout river.
Tallulah River
Clayton, GA
Mountain river above Tallulah Gorge with national-forest camping and trout water.
Lake Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge, GA
Clear mountain lake surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Lake Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge, GA
North Georgia's marquee mountain lake just outside downtown Blue Ridge.
Lakes & Rivers
Rock Creek (North Georgia)
Rock Creek (North Georgia)
Suches, GA
Hatchery-supported mountain creek deep in Fannin County's national forest.
Toccoa River
Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge's signature river — fly fishing, tubing, and the famous swinging bridge.
AnchorChattanooga Riverwalk
Chattanooga, TN
Riverfront trail system connecting downtown Chattanooga attractions, parks, and views.
Chickamauga Lake
Dayton, TN
Tennessee River reservoir north of Chattanooga — one of America's top trophy bass lakes.
Nickajack Lake
Jasper, TN
Tennessee River lake at the foot of the Cumberland Plateau, just downstream of Chattanooga.
North Chickamauga Creek
Soddy-Daisy, TN
Cumberland Plateau gorge stream with iconic Chattanooga-area swimming holes.
Duck River
Columbia, TN
North America's most biodiverse river — paddling and smallmouth fishing in Middle Tennessee.
Elk River
Tullahoma, TN
Tims Ford tailwater — Southern Middle Tennessee's premier float-fishing trout river.
Normandy Lake
Normandy, TN
Quiet Duck River reservoir between Tullahoma and Manchester.
Tims Ford Lake
Winchester, TN
Top Southern Middle Tennessee lake with a beautiful state park and trophy bass water.
Coopers Creek
Suches, GA
Chattahoochee National Forest trout stream with riverside camping at Coopers Creek WMA.
Lake Nottely
Blairsville, GA
Sprawling mountain reservoir in Union County with dark-sky shoreline and great bass fishing.
Lake Trahlyta
Blairsville, GA
Postcard 22-acre lake at Vogel State Park beneath Blood Mountain.
AnchorLake Lure
Lake Lure, NC
Mountain lake destination known for boating, paddling, lake views, beaches, and romantic getaways.
AnchorLake Lure Beach and Water Park
Lake Lure, NC
Family beach and water recreation area on Lake Lure.
Lake Lure
Lake Lure, NC
Mountain-ringed resort lake beside Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Gorge.
Hiwassee River
Reliance, TN
Tennessee State Scenic River — gentle whitewater, trout, and Cherokee National Forest scenery.
Ocoee River
Ducktown, TN
1996 Olympic whitewater venue — the South's most popular rafting river.
Parksville Lake (Lake Ocoee)
Benton, TN
Cherokee National Forest mountain lake on the Ocoee, with swim beaches and a scenic byway.
