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Delivery Drop Off Locations: Boat Ramp Public 2 (Off Wayah Rd past Lake's End Marina)

Daily Minimum: 3-day

General Information

Lake-Nantahala is located in the towering mountains of western North Carolina, near the small town of Topton. It sits like a pristine jewel at the edge of the Nantahala National Forest, surrounded by the rustic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Activities on or near Lake Nantahala include swimming, boating, fishing, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking and golf. Whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking are available on the Ocoee or Nantahala Rivers, and snow skiing, sledding and snowboarding opportunities can be found at nearby Maggie Valley. The Nantahala River, which is just south of the lake, attracts anglers from all across the country. The whole area is brimming with crappie, trout, walleye, catfish, bass and sunfish. It's also very popular for its world-class white-water rafting trips. The 8-mile river trip through Class I, II, and III rapids takes about three hours, and more than ten outfitters can found along the river, offering a variety of services. There are also many hiking trails near Lake Nantahala, some that connect to parts of the Appalachian Trail, and a drive through the Nantahala Gorge offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in Western North Carolina. The town of Franklin is just 18 miles away, and is well known for its gem mines open for public prospecting, along with lots of antique shops, art galleries, fine restaurants and accommodations. Other nearby places to visit in the Lake Nantahala area include the resort towns of Highlands and Cashiers, the Smoky Mountain Railroad, Cherokee Indian casinos and the Cullasaja River Gorge.

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.

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