This 29 mile long lake has more than 240 miles of almost totally undeveloped shoreline. More than 90 percent of the land around the lake is owned by either the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the US Forest Service and development has been kept to a minimum. Fontana Dam, completed in 1944, stands 480 foot high and is the highest dam in the Eastern United States and the fourth highest in the country. The Appalachian Trail runs right across the top.

Fontana Dam and Lake serve several purposes, chief among them being flood regulation and power production. Releases from the lake also benefit downstream navigation by contributing to the water volume during periods of low flow. In the normal operating cycle, the lake is drawn down during fall and winter months to provide ample space for winter rains, and is allowed to fill when danger of floods is passed.

Fontana and Santeetlah Lake attract boaters and fishermen. These lakes are never crowded and the natural settings calm the senses.

The Fontana/Graham County area is a natural playground. Forget the theme parks and other man-made attractions. Come to where the real action is. Visit Graham County on your next vacation.