One of the most famous lakes in North Carolina is Lake Lure. It's shocking that this beautiful lake is artificial. It's difficult to believe because generally such beautiful features in nature are created by humans. All the well-known tourist attractions in the region are close to Lake Lure. You will be only 27 miles from Lake Lure if you decide to stay in Asheville and explore everything the city has to offer.

The well-known Chimney Rock gives fantastic views of the lake and the gorge below if you want a nice trek. At any time of year, you may stroll along the boardwalk and take in the area's beauty, picnic by the lake, take use of the adjacent dining and retail options, and even search for potential filming sites.

Additionally, the lake has a sizable sandy beach that is ideal for everyone who visits during the warmer months. Everything you require, including restrooms, picnic tables, a snack bar, and even a water park, is available right there. You may enjoy hiking, mountain biking, wakeboarding, fishing, playing golf at the Lake Lure Golf Club, and more. You might also want to visit the Right Track Toy Train Museum if you're traveling with kids. Lake Lure is definitely one of the best lakes to visit in North Carolina!

Location: Rutherford County, North Carolina

The 40,000-acre Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest lake overall, while Lake Norman is the largest artificial lake in the state of North Carolina. For a quick journey, this region of the state is fantastic. You're in luck if you want to explore new places on foot as a traveler! The communities of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville are all located around Lake Norman.

The towns have charming streets lined with eateries, art galleries, and unique shops. All of this can be enjoyed while admiring the stunning surroundings! Birkdale Village, the town's jewel, is located in Huntersville. People travel from all over to enjoy the shopping opportunities in this area, which have made it popular. Start your day in the neighborhood with a cup of coffee from the Red Rocks Cafe, then explore the village to your heart's content, take in the scenery, grab a bite to eat from the Midwood Smokehouse, and indulge in something sweet from the Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop!

There is many activities to do in Lake Norman. You can go boating, hiking, biking, fishing, and more while you're in the area. You can rent boats and jet skis, go on chartered cruises, and more in the area if you want to spend the majority of your time on the water.

Location: Catawba / Iredell / Lincoln / Mecklenburg counties, North Carolina

Bear Lake Reserve is located in Tuckasegee, North Carolina. You can go to this lake to actually be in the middle of nature. The Bear Lake Reserve offers the best lake life in the mountains. The distance between the lake and the city of Asheville is less than 1.5 hours. If you're seeking for mountain lakes in North Carolina, this is another option for you! This lake offers a really diverse range of activities.

The full-service marina also rents out pontoons, paddleboards, and bigger motorized craft. There is nothing better than spending the day on a pontoon, fishing, having lunch in the sunshine, swimming in the cool water, practicing your water-skiing, and just taking in Bear Lake's breathtaking beauty.

Of course, you can visit the Lake Club and take a dip in the hot tubs or pools there if swimming in the lake isn't your thing. You can enjoy the area, even more, thanks to the nearby golf course and overlook. You can find delicious restaurants in the nearby towns of Cashiers and Highlands.

Location: Tuckasegee, North Carolina

The 6,812 acres of Lake James have pristine waters and lovely scenery. There are 25 kilometers of hiking trails at Lake James State Park. There are both shorter, kid-friendly trails like the Holly Discovery Trail and longer, more challenging trails like the Overmountain Victory Trail.

You can tent while you are visiting Lake James. Twenty walk-in campsites, many with lake views, are available in the Catawba River Area. However, the Paddy's Creek area, which has 33 drive-in campsites, is a good option if you're looking for more family-friendly camping. The Long Arm Peninsula offers a secluded campground that can only be accessed by boat for those who are serious adventure seekers. It can be magical to paddle in or take a small boat over to your home for the night, despite not being as simple to get to.

From May through September, Paddy's Creek Area offers kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals. Although the lake is beautiful all year round, you'll find that May to September is the best months to enjoy the majority of Lake James' outdoor activities. It goes without saying that mountain biking in Lake James State Park is fantastic. The West Wimba, East Wimba, and Lower Tindo Loops are the park's three main loop trails.

Location: Burke / McDowell counties, North Carolina

Among North Carolina's top lakes for boating is Jordan Lake. The Crosswinds Boating Center houses the marina on Jodan Lake. You can rent a pontoon boat, a kayak, a fishing boat, and a paddleboard there. Additionally, the facility will have everything you require for a day on the water, including ice, snacks, bait, gas, public restrooms, and storage for your belongings while you're on the water.

Your possibilities for camping near Jordan Lake will astound you. For those who enjoy camping a lot, you can rest easy knowing that there will be many options and that you won't typically have trouble finding a campground at any given time of the year. The Crosswinds Campground, Parkers Creek Campground, White Oak Recreation Area, and Poplar Point Campground are the top spots for camping. If these campgrounds are full, you can camp at the Vista Point Campground in Pittsboro.

Location: Chatham / Durham counties, North Carolina

One of North Carolina's greatest mountain lakes, the picturesque reservoir is approximately eight miles from Cashiers is Lake Glenville. This lake is the highest lake east of the Mississippi River, is the Tar Heel State's tallest lake, with two miles of shoreline and a height of 3,494 feet. You can hire simple-to-operate boats from the Signal Ridge Marina on Highway 107 to explore the water. It's up to you whether you rent watercraft for an hour or for several days. Anyone who wants to use a boat for a little length of time will find this to be a fantastic convenience.

You can also engage in enjoyable activities like tubing, skiing, and swimming. During July and August, when the water is consistently around 80 degrees, this is really wonderful! Three waterfalls may be seen on Lake Glenville, so if you rent a boat, keep an eye out for them. All three of the lake's waterfalls, Hurricane Falls, Mill Creek Falls, and Norton Falls, are surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and are perfect spots to stop for a picnic or to simply take in the scenery.

You can also enjoy yourself by swimming, skiing, and tube riding. When the water is consistently around 80 degrees each day, like in July and August, this is especially enjoyable!

Location: Jackson County, North Carolina

One of the best lakes to visit in North Caroline is White Lake in Bladen County. The 1,200-acre lake is incredibly gorgeous. Additionally, White Lake is one of North Carolina's cleanest lakes, which must be mentioned. For swimming, boating, and other water sports, the weather is ideal! You will immediately understand why it is so well-liked when you first arrive at the lake and take in the surroundings.

The lake's bottom is made up of white sand, and the water is incredibly clear. There are underground springs that supply water to the lake. This lake and its beaches are a stunning and secure paradise that will appeal to both adults and kids. Knowing that there are absolutely no tides, currents, depressions, or other significant dangers in the lake allows families to unwind completely. (It may be the safest beach in the country!)

Be sure to attend the White Lake Water Festival if you're in town in May; it takes place on the third weekend of the month. Of course, this lake offers more to its visitors than just being beautiful. Additionally, there are lots of vacation rentals, campgrounds, and restaurants where you can eat seafood, breakfast, pizza, and other foods.

Location: Bladen County, North Carolina

After Lake Norman, High Rock Lake in Lexington, North Carolina, is the second-largest artificial lake in the state. It was built in 1929. You won't have to worry about being crammed on top of other lake visitors thanks to the lake's 15,180 acres and 365 miles of shoreline! The name of this lake, which is actually in the Uwharrie Mountains, comes from the range's tallest mountain, High Rock Mountain.

The lake has a lot to offer its visitors and is dispersed across Davidson and Rowan counties. Since High Rock Lake is regarded as one of the top fishing lakes in North Carolina, you might want to take advantage of the chance to head to the marina and rent a pontoon to go fishing while you're there. You can spend some time in Lexington or the nearby city of Salisbury if you wish to go away from the ocean. Great restaurants, parks and trails for walking, wineries, museums, and other attractions can be found nearby to make your trip to the lake even more enjoyable.

Location: Davidson / Rowan counties, North Carolina

Despite its diminutive size, Badin Lake offers some breathtaking views. One must-do activity for travelers is to catch the sunset over this lake. On and around the lake, there are a plethora of leisure opportunities. This lake is quite lovely, especially in the months of October and November! There is a small area of paradise where you can camp, have a picnic, hike, go fishing or hunting, go boating or swimming, and more. A beach for swimming is also present.

In the Uwharrie National Forest, there are undeveloped camping areas where you can stay for free. Additionally, developed campgrounds have paid campsites. You can choose between Badin Lake Campground, Canebrake Horse Camp, and Arrowhead Campground. Badin Lake Group Camp is available for large groups of campers. You can find all the facilities you need for a campsite at the developed sites, such as grill rings, toilets, showers, and lantern hooks.

There are several options nearby Badin Lake for hikers to select from, so don't worry about finding a cold area to put boots to dirt! The Badin Lake Trail, which is 5.6 miles long and considered an easy hike, is probably the most well-known trail. There are also a number of short, straightforward paths under three miles in length. There are also OHV trails in the area, ranging in difficulty from easy to difficult. The Daniel OHV trail, which is only 2.1 miles long but is rated as being extremely difficult, is also an option if you are feeling particularly bold.

Location: Uwharrie Lakes Region, North Carolina

Swimming, boating, and skiing are all popular activities at Nantahala Lake, which is part of the Nantahala National Forest. Nantahala is a man-made lake, but it is one of the smallest ones. It was finished in 1942 and was first built to provide electricity for wartime operations. Since the lake was created by humans and is encircled by mountains, its bottom quickly gets incredibly deep. This area is home to a wide variety of fish species, including panfish.

Nantahala Lake is renowned for its breathtaking whitewater rafting and kayaking. The excitement of a rafting or kayaking trip down the Nantahala is enjoyed by thousands of people each year. One of the most well-liked whitewater destinations in the country is the last eight miles of the river.

But if you climb the mountain above the Nantahala Gorge, you'll find a completely different Nantahala, a picturesque mountain river with top-notch trout fishing and, at a height of 3000 feet, a crystal-clear lake with boating, fishing, and other fun activities.

The lake shore and up the mountainside are dotted with cozy cabins, lodges, and vacation homes, whether you're looking for a relaxing retreat or an action-packed getaway.

Location: Macon County, North Carolina

The largest natural lake in North Carolina, Lake Mattamuskeet, is rather shallow, with an average depth of two to three feet. This lake is well recognized for having a ton of fishing options! Bring your fishing gear so you can catch a variety of fish, including bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, perch, and more. Due to the abundance of blue crabs in these waters, Lake Mattamuskeet crabbing is also well-liked here. Whitetail deer and duck hunting are also permitted here.

Numerous species of wildlife have adapted to Lake Mattamuskeet's diverse environment by making it their home. Keep an eye out for the numerous mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that reside in and around Lake Mattamuskeet as you stroll through this lovely area. Expect to witness bald eagles, black bears, bobcats, geese, swans, ducks, and many other animals! Look to the skies and see how many of the over 240 bird species that are present here you can identify.

The best outdoor photography always has a stunning backdrop, like Lake Mattamuskeet. You can take some beautiful pictures of North Carolina's natural surroundings because to the diversity of the state's plant and animal life. Although photography is a great hobby here year-round, the fall and winter months are the best times to visit because of the abundance of waterfowl in the area. At Lake Mattamuskeet, you're sure to capture some breathtaking images of graceful birds, serene landscapes, colorful sunsets, and much more!

Location: Hyde County, North Carolina

In many respects, Fontana Lake is exceptional. The development of the shoreline has been kept to a minimum, unlike most lakes in the region. The National Park Service or the US Forest Service owns more than 90% of the area surrounding the lake.

There is a lot to explore with a boat on this lake, with a ton of inlets, bays, and islands created by ancient mountain tops jutting through the placid surface waters. Boating on Fontana Lake offers a special view of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for those who are fortunate enough to do so. The view from the lake level to the summit of the towering Clingmans Dome, the Park's highest peak, is occasionally unhindered. Enjoy standup paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing at various lakeside locations.

On both the Great Smoky Mountain side and the Nantahala National Forest side of the lake, there are trails all around it. When the water is high, several trailheads can only be reached by boat. This is the only place to get to the most isolated parts of the Smoky Mountains National Park, barring a multi-day hike. The observation deck of Clingmans Dome offers a breathtaking view of the entire lake from almost a mile above on clear days.

Location: Graham / Swain counties, North Carolina

Lake Hickory should be one of the best lakes to visit in North Carolina! There are 4,200 acres and 105 kilometers of shoreline around this lake. Fortunately for tourists, the lake is open for recreational purposes, so you are free to go boating, swimming, sailing, skiing, or to rent a jet ski. There are sixteen public boat launches and marinas, which boaters will appreciate because it gives you a choice and some room when launching.

Due to its stunning natural shoreline, high water clarity, and constant water level due to Duke Energy's maintenance, Lake Hickory is one of North Carolina's most alluring lakes. Instead of the traditional brown water and clay lake floor, the lake boasts sparkling blue water with a sandy bottom. Compared to other lakes in the state, this makes it significantly more appealing.

Lake Hickory is well-known for its Striped Bass and Large Mouth Bass fishing. In the lake, you can also find channel catfish and crappie. Batteries, live bait, and other supplies are all available for purchase at the marina store. You will undoubtedly fall in love with Hickory Lake whether you are renting a boat, lounging in the sun, swimming, or spending the day at the tiki bar!

Location: Catawba, Burke,Caldwell Counties, North Carolina

On the Deep River, which is a component of the Cape Fear River basin, is where Randleman Lake Reservoir is situated. A natural buffer of 2,975 acres surrounds the 3,007-acre lake, which also has 100 miles of stunning shoreline.

There are numerous regulations that apply to lake recreation because the lake is maintained by the federal government. Both sailing and fishing are allowed, although sailboats with main masts longer than 25 feet are not allowed. Boats cannot be used overnight and personal watercraft are not allowed. Boats in the region cannot be fueled there either. Additionally, a 25 mph speed limit applies to the entire lake. North of the Highway 62 bridge, gasoline or liquid-fueled motors are not permitted.

A 500+ acre public park with picnic sites, paths, bird watching, sports fields, a dog park, and a playground is situated close to the reservoir's northern edge.

Although there aren't any accommodations on Randleman Lake itself, there are hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds, and RV parks nearby. Private rentals might also be offered close to the lake and will undoubtedly increase now that the lake is accessible to the general public. There is some real estate available close to the lake, and more new construction is anticipated soon. Randleman Lake offers peaceful lakefront surroundings, great fishing, and a wooded, undeveloped setting.

Location: Randolph / Guilford counties, North Carolina