Things to do / Travel Guide
The larger lakes in the southern Appalachian Mountains are all man-made, part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) massive efforts in the 1930s. Many of these lakes are good for fishing, but you'll also find charters for just enjoying the mountain scenery.
Three lakes in particular stand out along the Tennessee and North Carolina border. These are Cherokee Lake and Douglas Lake north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Fontana Lake just south of the park. You can rent a boat on any of these. Shoreline development has been kept to a minimum mostly around Fontana Lake, and the other two are also quite peaceful. Of course, the views of the Smokies are a big draw - on a clear day you can see far into the mountains, while on a hazier day you appreciate why they're called the Smokies.
Smaller lakes, located in some of the State Parks of Virginia, offer boat rentals. These are small-time affairs, but the views are often serene of the water and the trees. Douthat State Park and New River State Park are good examples of places where you can rent a boat on the lake.
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