Boat Clear Blue Water Near Hanging Dog Recreation Area
Why Rent On Lake Hiwassee
Lake Hiwassee extends 22 miles through Cherokee County in western North Carolina, its 163 miles of shoreline reaching depths of over 200 feet below the Hiwassee Dam, the highest overspill dam in the world at completion in 1940 and still a landmark of Tennessee Valley Authority engineering history. The combination of the lake’s scale, the surrounding Nantahala National Forest, and the Cherokee County landscape that runs from the Valley River to the southern Appalachian ridgeline creates a lake environment of considerable natural and historical richness. A lakefront cabin here puts your family in one of the quieter and most naturally preserved mountain lake settings in western North Carolina.
Boating, Water Skiing, Swimming, and the Hanging Dog Area
Boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing across the lake’s 22-mile length provide a full warm-weather water calendar. The Hanging Dog Recreation Area, a US Forest Service facility on the lake’s northern shore, provides a campground, picnic area, hiking trails, and a boat launch in a setting whose proximity to Murphy and its services makes an extended stay practically straightforward. Fishing for bass, walleye, and catfish in the lake’s deeper sections and in the coves formed by the dam’s flooding of the original Hiwassee River valley rewards patient anglers throughout the season.
Murphy, the Valley River, and the Cherokee Legacy
The town of Murphy, the Cherokee County seat, sits at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Valley rivers and carries a history shaped by the forced removal of the Cherokee people along the Trail of Tears, which began from this location in 1838. The Fields of the Wood Bible Park northwest of Murphy and the broader community’s engagement with this history give the area a cultural and historical weight that a lakeside vacation week rewards engaging with directly rather than bypassing in favor of purely recreational programming.
The Nantahala National Forest and Trail Access
The Nantahala National Forest surrounds Lake Hiwassee with trail access to backcountry terrain of genuine quality, including segments of the Appalachian Trail accessible within a short drive from Murphy. The Fires Creek Recreation Area in the Nantahala, west of the lake, provides one of the most complete and least-crowded mountain recreation environments in the southern Appalachians with hiking, camping, and trout fishing in a setting of extraordinary forest character.
A Deep Mountain Lake With a Significant History
A vacation rental near Lake Hiwassee gives your family a private, comfortable base on a deep mountain lake in the Nantahala National Forest with the full natural and historical heritage of Cherokee County within reach. Properties with mountain and lake views, full kitchens, and outdoor fire pits suited to cool Appalachian evenings make this one of western North Carolina’s most rewarding and least crowded lake rental destinations.
- Surface area (mi)
- 15.97
- Max depth (ft)
- 308.4
- Elevation (ft)
- 1502.62
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 180
Popular activities
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Cross-country Skiing
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Lake Hiwassee has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yes, it is safe to swim in Lake Hiwassee. The lake had an average E. coli count of 6.5 cfu/100mL in 2021, which is well below the EPA’s safe standard of 235 cfu/100mL for primary recreational waters. The lake passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time.
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Lake Hiwassee is a popular destination for outdoor activities and relaxation because it offers extensive shoreline and deep waters ideal for various water sports like boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing. The lake is also surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, providing numerous hiking trails with panoramic views and opportunities for wildlife encounters.
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For bass fishing in Lake Hiwassee, North Carolina, the size and bag limits are as follows: Smallmouth bass have a 14-inch minimum size limit, except 2 may be less than 14 inches, with a total bag limit of 5 fish. Largemouth bass have no minimum size between 14–22 inches, but only 1 bass can be greater than 22 inches, with a total bag limit of 5 bass in combination with smallmouth and spotted bass.
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There are public areas with picnic facilities near Lake Hiwassee, but they are not typically described as beaches. The Hiwassee Lake Loop has a swimming area, a pavilion, and a picnic area with public restrooms. These areas provide access to the lake but are not traditional beaches.
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Towns near Lake Hiwassee that offer essential amenities include Murphy, Marble, and Andrews. Murphy, with a population of 16,454, is the largest and provides a wide range of services and facilities. Marble and Andrews also offer basic amenities and are located within Cherokee County, North Carolina.
