These are the best North Carolina lakes to explore and unwind!

North Carolina is well known for its stunning lakes that make ideal destinations for swimming, boating, and fishing adventures while taking in beautiful natural views from the Blue Ridge Mountains to beaches in its coastal towns and beyond. Here are a few of the best North Carolina lakes on your travel bucket list:

Lake Norman:  Perhaps the most famous of the best North Carolina lakes!

Lake Norman is one of North Carolina’s most beloved lakes, boasting over 500 miles of shoreline for boating, paddleboarding, and swimming activities. Lake Norman’s rapid growth has resulted in several waterfront restaurants, breweries, and shops for residents to enjoy and nearby attractions like NASCAR Hall of Fame and Carowinds amusement park.

Here are a few interesting facts about Lake Norman, one of the best North Carolina Lakes:

1. Massive Scale – Lake Norman is North Carolina’s largest artificial lake, covering over 32,000 acres with 526 miles of shoreline. Walking its perimeter would require over two weeks!

2. Highly Popular Recreation Spot – Lake Norman’s vast size offers endless recreational possibilities, from boating and waterskiing to paddleboarding and fishing. There are multiple marinas offering pontoon boats as well as jet ski rentals.

3. Home Building Boom – Rapid development has led to an explosion of lakeside residences, condos, restaurants, and shops along Cornelius Lake near Davidson and Cornelius.

4. Nuclear Power Plant – Duke Energy McGuire Nuclear Station sits on the southern tip of Lake Norman and generates over 2000 megawatts of electricity daily; tours can also be scheduled here.

5. Hydroelectric Dam – Cowans Ford Dam on Catawba River helps create Lake Norman and is powered by hydroelectricity; its 200-foot-tall structure covers a mile-wide area.

6. Regular Fish Stocking – Each year, Lake Norman receives over 2 Million fish stockings, including striped bass, catfish, and crappie, making it a premier fishing spot.

7. Hollywood Location – Lake Norman has become an excellent location to film scenes for movies such as Talledega Nights and  Careful What You Wish For.

8. Water Sports – Wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, and swimming are popular on Lake Norman’s serene waters; low Mandatory No Wake zones protect from erosion.

9. Beach Areas – Ramsey Creek Park Beach offers public beach access for swimming, paddleboarding, and relaxing on the sand.

10. Nearby Attractions – Lake Norman is situated just north of Charlotte and close to attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carowinds amusement park, and Mooresville wineries.

Falls lake: Raleigh’s answer for the best North Carolina Lakes

Falls Lake lies just outside Raleigh and boasts 12,500 acres of deep, clean waters perfect for boating adventures and fishing adventures alike. Anglers will delight in targeting striper bass, catfish, and more. At the same time, nearby Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers hiking, biking, camping, and picnicking facilities – don’t miss a trip up the impressive dam of Falls Lake!

Here is a listicle of top facts and features about Falls Lake:

1. Falls Lake’s Massive Scale – Falls Lake spans over 12,500 acres and 250 miles of shoreline for endless aquatic recreation possibilities.

2. Wildlife Viewing – Spot wildlife like bald eagles, osprey, beavers, otters, and over 200 bird species that inhabit the protected areas surrounding Falls Lake by wildlife watching!

3. Watersports Paradise – Bring or rent boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards to explore Falls Lake’s many coves and inlets on watersports enthusiasts’ own or rental vessels.

4. Camping – Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers seven waterfront campgrounds offering tent and RV camping near the water’s edge for convenient campsite stays.

5. Hiking Trails – Explore scenic wooded hiking trails leading to Falls Lake State Recreation Area waterfall views.

6. Fishing Variety – Falls Lake offers plenty of fishing spots where anglers can fish for largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, white and striped bass – offering anglers plenty of fishing variety!

7. Swimming Beaches – Three swim beaches provide access to Falls Lake for refreshing lake waters with clean, calm waters that offer lifeguard coverage during summer swim sessions.

8. Boat Tours – Take an educational voyage on one of Falls Lake Tours company’s narrated sightseeing cruises for an in-depth understanding of its history, wildlife, and more with guided, narrated sightseeing cruises narrated by an expert guide!

9. Immense Dam – Take a tour of the impressive horseshoe-shaped Falls Lake Dam, standing 122 feet tall and over one mile across.

10. Nearby City – Falls Lake lies conveniently just outside Raleigh, the state capital city.

Lake Lure: Dirty Dancing makes this one of the Best North Carolina Lakes!

At Lake Lure, its serene waters offer stand-up paddleboarders and boaters stunning vistas of Chimney Rock Park or nearby charming shops and restaurants – not forgetting being featured as one of Dirty Dancing movie filming locations!

Here are some fun facts about the iconic Lake Lure:

1. Stunning Blue Ridge Setting – Lake Lure is nestled in the scenic Hickory Nut Gorge area of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. Prepare for jaw-dropping vistas.

2. Crystal Clear Waters – Fed by the Rocky Broad River, Lake Lure has pristine, crystal clear waters perfect for watersports or simply taking in the beautiful reflections of the surrounding mountains.

3. 27 Miles of Shoreline – The lake stretches over 720 acres and is home to 27 miles of shoreline to explore by boat, kayak, or standup paddleboard.

4. Established in 1925 – Lake Lure was created in 1925 by the construction of a large dam by Carolina Mountain Power Company. The lake was named after the nearby town of Lure.

5. Rumbling Bald Resort – Dating back to the 1930s, this historic mountain lodge sits on the lake and offers accommodations, dining, and a full-service marina.

6. Water Recreation – Enjoy boating, water-skiing, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, fishing, and being on calm, open waters.

7. Movie History – The 1987 movie Dirty Dancing filmed iconic scenes around Lake Lure, even using it for the fictional “Kellerman’s” resort.

8. Chimney Rock Park – Nearby Chimney Rock State Park provides incredible hiking trails and views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

9. Lake Lure Beach – The picturesque public beach features a swimming area, splash park, picnic spots, and visitor center.

10. Village of Lake Lure – The charming village offers restaurants, shops, galleries, tours, festivals and more for visitors to enjoy.

High Rock Lake

High Rock Lake resides within Uwharrie National Forest and offers excellent swimming, skiing, and fishing activities. There are marinas, campgrounds, and hiking trails at High Rock Lake that add even more enjoyment; nearby attractions include Badin and Tuckertown lakes for added entertainment!

Here is a listicle of some facts and features about High Rock Lake in North Carolina:

1. Part of Uwharrie Lakes – High Rock Lake is the largest lake within North Carolina’s Uwharrie Lakes region in the Uwharrie National Forest.

2. 15,000 Acres – The lake spans nearly 15,500 acres and has over 342 miles of shoreline for boating and fishing access.

3. Constructed in 1927 – High Rock Lake was created in 1927 by damming the Yadkin River during the construction of the High Rock Dam.

4. Hydroelectric Power – High Rock Dam generates hydroelectric power and provides cooling water for area power plants.

5. Clear Waters – High Rock Lake has exceptionally clean water due to its location within a national forest.

6. Popular for Skiing – With a surface area of over 15,000 acres, High Rock is ideal for waterskiing and wakeboarding, with plenty of room to cruise.

7. High Rock Marina – This full-service marina offers slip rentals, boat lifts, fueling, and new and used boat sales.

8. Camping Options – Campgrounds like Flat Creek, Liberty, and Cross Creek offer tent and RV camping surrounding High Rock Lake.

9. Fishing Variety – Largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, striped bass, white bass, and more can be fished in High Rock Lake.

10. Nearby Attractions – High Rock Lake is just over an hour from major attractions in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte.

Jordan Lake: Birdwatchers LOVE this choice of Best North Carolina Lakes!

Jordan Lake in central North Carolina covers over 13,000 acres and is an important wildlife refuge where visitors can hike, boat, fish, and bird watching. There’s even an attractive beach area nearby – not too far from historical Yates Mill County Park and the University of North Carolina campus, too!

Here is a top 10 listing of facts and features about Jordan Lake in North Carolina:

1. Massive Scale – Jordan Lake is one of the largest lakes in North Carolina, spanning 13,940 acres with nearly 300 miles of shoreline.

2. Created in 1981 – Jordan Lake was formed in 1981 by damming the Haw River and New Hope Creek as a drinking water supply.

3. Clean Waters – Strict environmental protections keep Jordan Lake’s waters exceptionally clean for recreational activities.

4. Part of a State Recreation Area – Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers beaches, boat launches, trails, picnicking, and camping around the lake.

5. White Oak Recreation Area – This section features sandy swimming beaches and the Vista Point Nature Trail with scenic overlooks.

6. Popular Fishing Lake – Anglers enjoy catching largemouth bass, catfish, white perch, crappie, and sunfish in Jordan Lake.

7. Canoeing and Kayaking – Paddle through coves and inlets within the shoreline of dense forests and rolling piedmont for scenic views.

8. Birdwatching Hotspot – Over 300 species of birds inhabit the diverse ecosystems surrounding Jordan Lake.

9. Close to Raleigh – Jordan Lake is just a short 30-minute drive from North Carolina’s capital city of Raleigh.

10. Yates Mill Historic Site – Tour this operational gristmill from the 1760s along the lake’s shoreline.

No matter your preferred form of recreation – boating, swimming, paddling, or fishing – North Carolina’s stunning lakes provide the ideal place to discover its abundant natural wonders. So pack up your swimsuit or fishing pole and explore these magnificent bodies of water during your next North Carolina excursion!