Paddleboard on Fontana Lake
Adventure Destination

Paddleboard on Fontana Lake

Explore Fontana Lake near Gatlinburg with its calm waters perfect for paddleboarding. Drive-in access and peaceful scenery make it ideal for adventure seekers. Enjoy stunning views and wildlife like deer and bald eagles. Best visited in spring and fall when the lake is quieter.

Paddleboarding7.8/10Moderate
Photo Gallery

Category

Paddleboarding

Typical Duration

2-4 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

About This Adventure Destination

Paddleboarding on Fontana Lake offers a unique opportunity to experience the tranquil beauty of the Smoky Mountains region. Located just a short drive from Gatlinburg, this pristine lake provides visitors with stunning vistas and calm waters perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers. The combination of breathtaking scenery and recreational activities makes Fontana Lake a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors.

Editorial Assessment

Fontana Lake offers a beautiful setting for paddleboarding, surrounded by lush forests and the Great Smoky Mountains. While it provides a serene and scenic outdoor adventure, it may not be globally recognized as a unique natural landmark.

Paddleboard on Fontana Lake

Adventure Guide to Paddleboard on Fontana Lake

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  • Highlights: #
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1. Fontana Marina

  • Overview: Fontana Marina is one of the best places to paddleboard on the lake. This facility offers paddleboard rentals for all skill levels. The marina's serene environment and expansive views of the surrounding mountains create an idyllic backdrop for your paddling adventure. Additionally, the staff provides helpful tips on navigating the lake, ensuring you have an enjoyable experience.
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2. Tsali Recreation Area

  • Overview: For those seeking a more remote paddleboarding experience, the Tsali Recreation Area is perfect. This location features access to quieter sections of Fontana Lake, ideal for paddlers looking to escape the crowds. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, such as eagles and deer, while you glide across the water. The natural beauty here is remarkable, providing a peaceful retreat in nature.
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3. The Santeetlah Boat Launch

  • Overview: The Santeetlah Boat Launch is another fantastic option for paddlers. It offers easy access to launch your paddleboard and explore the lake's numerous coves and inlets. With its lesser-known launch site, you'll likely encounter fewer visitors, allowing for a more intimate experience with the surrounding landscape.
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Local Insights

  • Overview: Fontana Lake is known for its stunning mountains and rich history, especially concerning the construction of the Fontana Dam in the 1940s. The lake is also part of the Cherokee National Forest, adding to its cultural significance.
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Visitor Tips

  • Best Times to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for calm waters.
  • What to Bring: Sunscreen, water, and a life jacket.
  • Driving Directions: From Gatlinburg, take Highway 441 South toward the **Great Smoky Mountains**; it’s about a 45-minute drive to the lake.

Reviews

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Megan3 weeks ago

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

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MGa month ago

Great marina, tons of parking, good pontoon rental rates and a friendly staff!! What more could you want!! Beyond our expectations on the property and rental, the lake is beyond words. Just absolutely gorgeous.

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Katie Jenkinsa month ago

We rented a 22 ft pontoon for our group of 15, 7 adults and 8 kids. They made pick-up and drop-off a breeze. This company is on the quiet side of the lake, so it almost felt like we had the water to ourselves! It was so beautiful and quiet. The water was so clean. Our group had a blast on the water. Thanks for a smooth rental!

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Signing Mama2 months ago

What a great experience with Fontana Village Marina and their staff. First let me say, everything from start to finish went so smooth and easy. The online reservation system just makes everything so simple! My husband and I rented a pontoon for a half day, recently. It was our first time ever renting, driving or even being on a pontoon boat! The young man who took us to our boat was very polite and thorough in showing us what and where everything is. We had our fun and didn’t want it to end so we called to see if we could extend our time, but unfortunately they were fully booked and weren’t able to accommodate but they certainly tried! On the way home, we decided to rent another boat and have our adult children go on the water with us. This time, I accidentally rented the wrong boat but I called and they were able to fix my mistake! The boats offered here are so nice, comfortable and clean, the staff is knowledgeable and polite and the online reservation system is wonderful. Seriously Fontana, 100/100 👏

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Jonathan Pineda3 months ago

Left my family completely stranded at Quill’s Canteen. Told us to take a golf cart 1.5 miles up the mountain to there (extremely dangerous on a golf cart, which is not road legal), and then when we came back, told us that we can’t do that, and left my family stranded away from the rest of their party. The employees are basically useless when it comes to communicating with a place a mile and a half up the road, which is supposedly all apart of the same resort or “village”. Do not expect anything from this marina and “village/resort” other than overpriced beer. They offer a shuttle service every 3 hours, and if you need a ride any other time, you can’t pay them anything to get you to the rest of the party. The older guy will also lie and say he’ll give you a ride, then tell you he’ll have the shuttle go instead, who will never go and pick up your family. We had to get someone 30 minutes away to pick up the rest of our party, only 1.5 miles away from the marina, within this “resort”.

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