Lake Fontana is in western North Carolina. The Nantahala empties into it.

I've always thought I was seeing Fontana looking north from up on top
of Hangover in Joyce Kilmer. My last trip somebody was along that said
that wasn't the case, but I haven't yet dug out a map to check.

My brother, who tends toward finding the negative, has always told me
Fontana was not a camping friendly lake because most of the way around
the lake the banks are very steep and muddy, especially when the water
is lower, so it is difficult to find good places to get out of the
boat and find good campsites. Is that true?

Whatever lake you see looking down from the high trails in Joyce
Kilmer sure is beautiful, and I've always wanted to paddle it Fontana
or not, but Joyce Kilmer is such a good place to backpack, I've always
taken a pack instead of a boat when I headed in that direction.

What is camping around the lake like? Restricted to designated sites?
Where are the put-ins? Are there motorboats?


Nace