Nothing quite says summer in the south better than being on a beautiful lake, watching the sunset, with a cold drink (sweet tea for most of us will do) in hand. On a hot summer day, there is no better way to spend the day than fishing, swimming, and relaxing on the lake. Dive into this list of the Must-See Lakes in the South, and plan your holiday vacation southern style!
5. Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
4. Lake Fontana, North Carolina
Outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers need seek no more. Opportunities for adventure abound along the untouched mountainous shoreline of Fontana Lake and its outlying areas, 90 percent of which are owned by the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Kayakers and paddle-boarders will be thrilled by the still waters, while the creeks and rivers that run into the lake make for your own private playground filled with intimate coves and wildlife watching. Splash around the Panther Creek swimming hole, then take a shaded hike past the hole through a canopy of rhododendrons. Don’t forget the mountain biking trails in the Tsali Recreation Area, long considered the top mountain biking destination in the eastern U.S.
3. Silver Glen Springs, Florida
5. Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Tucked away in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, Lake Santeetlah, once known as "Lake in the Sky" has 76 miles of shoreline protected by the national forestry service. Boat rentals are available, in all varieties and sizes. Enjoy a quiet day on a canoe or paddle board, or secure an 8 person deck boat. Primitive and car camping sites are available, so there is a place for every type of camper!
4. Lake Fontana, North Carolina
Outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers need seek no more. Opportunities for adventure abound along the untouched mountainous shoreline of Fontana Lake and its outlying areas, 90 percent of which are owned by the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Kayakers and paddle-boarders will be thrilled by the still waters, while the creeks and rivers that run into the lake make for your own private playground filled with intimate coves and wildlife watching. Splash around the Panther Creek swimming hole, then take a shaded hike past the hole through a canopy of rhododendrons. Don’t forget the mountain biking trails in the Tsali Recreation Area, long considered the top mountain biking destination in the eastern U.S.
3. Silver Glen Springs, Florida
As the sun shines, rainbows play across the bottom of the crystal-clear spring basin at Silver Glen Springs, a beautiful spot along the edge of the Big Scrub of the Ocala National Forest, with a spring run that pours out into Lake George, the largest of the St. Johns River Chain of Lakes, north of Astor. Both a popular day use recreation area and an important archaeological site, Silver Glen Springs showcases the delicate balance necessary between enjoyment of the outdoors and preservation of irreplaceable resources. Unfortunately this a day use only area, and camping is not permitted in this area, although it is allowed in other parts of Ocala National Forest.
2. Lake Jocassee, South Carolina
Lake Lure may be famous as the setting for Dirty Dancing, but a weekend here can play more like an action-adventure flick. Make your outpost near Chimney Rock State Park in Hickory Nut Gorge. You’ll have ready access to rock climbing—including routes that will embolden novices and challenge old hands. When you’re tired of hauling yourself up, clip in and take off at tree level on a network of zip lines. Then, saddle your horse and swim the river or catch a ride on a tube when the Lake Lure dam releases its daily flow. All the go, go, go makes sundown with a cold one that much sweeter. At the 1927 Lake Lure Inn, you can grab a beer on the veranda and look out over the water in the same spot where Patrick Swayze honed his mambo.
The land around 7,500-acre Lake Jocassee remains mostly undeveloped and the only public access point to the lake is through Devils Fork State Park. Four mountain streams and several waterfalls feed into the lake, making it cooler than others and a great South Carolina trout fishing spot. Plus, the crystal clear water of Lake Jocassee is a haven for scuba divers and swimmers. During the spring months, hikers on the two trails are treated to sightings of the endangered Oconee bell wildflower.
Overnight guests can stay in a fully-furnished villa or in one of two campgrounds located near Lake Jocassee.
1. Lake Lure, North Carolina
Overnight guests can stay in a fully-furnished villa or in one of two campgrounds located near Lake Jocassee.
1. Lake Lure, North Carolina
Lake Lure may be famous as the setting for Dirty Dancing, but a weekend here can play more like an action-adventure flick. Make your outpost near Chimney Rock State Park in Hickory Nut Gorge. You’ll have ready access to rock climbing—including routes that will embolden novices and challenge old hands. When you’re tired of hauling yourself up, clip in and take off at tree level on a network of zip lines. Then, saddle your horse and swim the river or catch a ride on a tube when the Lake Lure dam releases its daily flow. All the go, go, go makes sundown with a cold one that much sweeter. At the 1927 Lake Lure Inn, you can grab a beer on the veranda and look out over the water in the same spot where Patrick Swayze honed his mambo.
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