Formed by the damming of the Little Tennessee River, Fontana Lake borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest. A favorite of water sports' enthusiasts, Fontana Lake is a destination for houseboaters, motorboaters and kayakers. At 480-feet, Fontana Dam is the tallest dam east of the Rockies. A visitor's center explains the controversial history of the dam, and visitors can ride cable cars to the powerhouse. Most area tent campgrounds are within the Nantahala National Forest.
Tsali Campground is a public campground operated by the Nantahala National Forest's Cheoah Ranger District. Located about seven miles from Lake Fontana, Tsali offers 41 campsites with flush toilets and hot showers; however, guests will find no water or electrical hook-ups. Considered "primitive camping," some sites are along a stream, while others are in a meadow. Tsali Campground charges on the honor system; guests use a self-pay station. Visitors will find mountain biking trails a few steps from their tent door. Tsali Campground also welcomes horseback riders.
Turkey Creek Campground is alongside Turkey Creek, where the creek meets the Little Tennessee and the Nantahala Rivers, just a short walk from the campground. Turkey Creek is a privately owned campground. Sites are available creekside; most sites are shaded. Tent sites comprise raised tent pads with fire-pits and picnic tables, electric service and water. Additional amenities include a renovated, tiled bath house with hot showers, a video game room, pool table and a coin laundry.
Managed by the Nantahala National Forest's Cheoah Ranger District, the Cable Cove Campground is next to Cable Creek, a small trout stream. It is a favorite of boaters as it offers access to a boat ramp about 1/2 mile away. Campers will find 26 sites, some creekside and others in a grassy glade, but all are large and well-maintained. Three water spigots are equally spaced throughout the campground, and the restrooms have flush toilets with separate bathrooms for each gender. The trout stream Hazel Creek and the Appalachian Trail are both nearby. Cable Cove is open April 14 to October, and a fee is charged, and pets kept of a leash are allowed. Nearby Bryson City and Dillsboro provide restaurants, whitewater rafting and even a steam locomotive train ride through the mountains. Cherokee, North Carolina, home of the Eastern band of Cherokee and Harrah's Casino, is a short drive away.
