Fontana Village Resort & Marina

Fontana Dam, North Carolina

Inns, Lodges, Resorts

June 2024

By Polly Dean

Featured photo by Jimmy Jacobs

Nestled in the Nantahala National Forest in the Smoky Mountains, Fontana Village Resort & Marina is truly the place to get away to enjoy open skies and mountain vistas. Clear waters are nearby, where anglers have a variety of options in which to wet a line, whether it’s a mountain stream or from a boat on Fontana Lake. Fontana Village has been an outdoor destination for generations since opening its doors in 1942. Couples and families have returned for decades to enjoy the beauty and take in its rich history.

Fontana Village was originally a town built for the workers who had come from all over the country to construct the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Fontana Dam. The workers brought their families and a community was formed that included schools, a hospital, a post office, library and even a softball field. Because the location was so remote, a railroad was built to transport in supplies.

The resort remains somewhat of a hidden gem, but visitors that come can take on the numerous adventures that the Smoky Mountain region has to offer. The resort provides everything guests need to enjoy either an adventurous or blissful stress-free vacation.

Guests of Fontana Village Resort can choose from cabins, lodge rooms or the campground for staying and taking advantage of the resort’s amenities. The cabins range from one to four bedrooms and are all smoke-free. They feature fully equipped kitchens, private porches, central heat and air, cable TV, WiFi, and toiletries to make you comfortable. All accommodations are pet-friendly for a small fee.

The lodge, with its rustic charm, offers a variety of room types, with a fireplace and jacuzzi tub in some, king or queen beds, as well as porches or balconies. The campground is situated on the scenic Little Tennessee River and open seasonally from April 1 through November 1. Fontana Village Campground has sites for tents, as well as RVs and trailers. Showers and bathrooms are available along with access to all the resort’s amenities, including a swimming pool, lazy river, mini-golf, hiking, and fitness center.

The resort’s full-service marina provides everything a boater will need to discover the 240 miles of shoreline of beautiful Fontana Lake. Boat rentals are available, as are scenic charters aboard The Miss Hazel, a historic coast-guard approved 36-foot pontoon boat. Those 90-minute tours feature breath-taking views of the forests and mountains surrounding the lake. The captain also shares tales about everything within view!

Guests who really want to get back to nature or access some of the most remote sections of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that lies just across the lake from the resort can arrange for a drop-off and scheduled pick-up service by boat. It is offered to a variety of locations along the northern shore of Fontana Lake. Shuttle service must be reserved 48 hours in advance by calling the marina.

For more information on Fontana Village Resort & Marina visit their website.