Lakes? (Asheville, Sparta, Lake Lure: camping, swimming, activities)

[Melhunny46]

What are some good lakes to enjoy near Asheville. We like to be on the water as well. I found lake Julian but I heard that is really a power plant lake yuck! I am sure there are surrounding lakes around. I know lake Norman is way east.

[roadpony]

Lake Lure, Lake James, Fontana Lake... for starters.

[motordavid]

Very few natural lakes in NC; most non-man made lakes are in eastern NC...
Most rivers flow into and out of NC, esp western NC.

Simply the effect of geology over time, the topography, etc.
GL, mD

North Carolina Lakes - List of NC Lake Names, location, recreation and amenities

[Halo_in_reverse]

Originally Posted by Melhunny46

What are some good lakes to enjoy near Asheville. We like to be on the water as well. I found lake Julian but I heard that is really a power plant lake yuck! I am sure there are surrounding lakes around. I know lake Norman is way east.

If you want to drive a little ways there's always, Lake Bowen down near Spartanburg and Lake Hartwell near the GA/SC border.

Also down in the upstate there's Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee (my favorite for boating)

A little closer there's Cascade Lake Cascade Lake Recreation Area & Campground
And Lake Powhatan Lake Powhatan Campground | Camping near Asheville NC | Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association
I think it really boils down to how you want to use the lake. If you're boating Lake Powhatan/Cascade may not work but if you're looking for canoeing and swimming then maybe so.

[Melhunny46]

What are some good fishing lakes?

[Halo_in_reverse]

Originally Posted by Melhunny46

What are some good fishing lakes?

I'm guessing Lake Lure but I don't fish so I'm not an expert maybe someone else can weigh in.

[Keifus]

Originally Posted by Melhunny46

What are some good lakes to enjoy near Asheville. We like to be on the water as well. I found lake Julian but I heard that is really a power plant lake yuck! I am sure there are surrounding lakes around. I know lake Norman is way east.

You should read about what you call "powerplant lakes" before you say "yuck".

[Melhunny46]

All I know is you can't swim in it. There has to be something wrong if you aren't allowed to swim

[NCBND]

Lake James is very beautiful and naturalistic for an impoundment lake. It is the first in the chain of Duke Power lakes on the Catawba River system that extends down through SC so the water is clean and supports a good fish population.

[poppydog]

If you approach from NY perspective you will not be happy. NY lakes and NC lakes are different. In the mountains of NC lots of folks love swimming holes. We have some amazing places for getting wet and cooled off like Sliding Rock. Lakes, while we have some nice ones like lake Lure and Lake James, are not a big thing here. They are at lower elevations. A lot of people want to be up higher.

Top 20 NC Mountain Swimming Holes
Nature
Top 10 Blue Ridge Mountain Swimming Holes - Blue Ridge Mountain Life

For fishing, the best is in the trout streams (think fly fishing like "A River Runs Through It").

http://www.visitnc.com/story/mountain-trout-fishing
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
http://www.greatsmokies.com/fishing.php
http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/att...glance/fishing

Of course there is great whitewater rafting and kayaking as well as lazy river tubing.

http://www.greatsmokies.com/rafting.php
http://www.romanticasheville.com/rafting.htm
http://www.frenchbroadrafting.com
http://noc.com/plan-your-trip/whitewater-rafting