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Lake Chatuge Hiawassee

A Lake in Two States


Perfectly situated in the Enchanted Valley of Hiawassee you will find the stunning Lake Chatuge whose shores stretch from North Georgia to North Carolina. Here the 7,200 acres of crystal blue waters beckon boaters, anglers, and water lovers to explore the coves and the 132 miles of shoreline. Framed beautifully by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, you will realize that once you are here, you have just discovered heaven on earth!

Lake Chatuge Dam

On the North Carolina side, surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, the Lake Chatuge Dam rises 150 feet high and stretches 13 miles across the Hiawassee River. Originally built in 1942, the dam was used to store water to help reduce flood damage downstream. Eventually a hydro-power generating unit was added in 1954 to harness electricity. In partnership with the Clay County Park and the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Chatuge Dam Reservation Trail was created. Perfect for small children and families in strollers, the Trail provides fantastic views of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains.

Made to Play

Lake Chatuge is a dream for both kids and adults alike. On the Georgia side, you’ll find a picture-perfect beach area with an incredible playground for the kiddos to enjoy. Adjacent to the swimming area is a 14 court Pickleball complex although it might be hard to concentrate on your game with the stunning mountain and lake view from the courts! Unique to Lake Chatuge, the adventurous souls will delight in the Mountain Wake Cable Park! Here you can wake 500 feet with a cable, try your skills on a Spine Kicker ramp, learn how to slide on the Seamless Box, or if you are more advanced you can try your moves on the Canon!

On the North Carolina side, a popular destination for Mountain Bikers is along the Jackrabbit Trail. These 15 miles of singletrack trails follow both the border of Lake Chatuge as well as meandering into woods. Appropriate for all skill levels from beginner to advanced, there is not a prettier place to ride your bicycle.

Lake Life

There are no shortage of dining, shopping, and entertainment options around Lake Chatuge on both the Georgia and North Carolina sides. Live the resort life at The Ridges complete with an onsite restaurant and boat rentals. On rainy days the Fieldstone Cinema always has a great flick to catch. The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds features RV campsites and hosts plenty of fun events including annual fairs and live musical performances. Also, on the shores of Lake Chatuge you’ll find the Hamilton Gardens which feature 33 acres of rhododendrons and a variety of other native botanicals!

Sold!

We get it. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, there are still plenty of opportunities for you too to live the good life on Lake Chatuge! From cozy cabins to grand lakeside lodges, we can’t wait to show you all the great properties in the Enchanted Valley of Hiawassee!

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