8 Dams and Reservoirs in the US That Draw Significant Visitors

4. Fontana Dam and Lake - Smoky Mountain Serenity

Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the Eastern United States at 480 feet, creates a stunning 30-mile-long lake nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains along the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Completed in 1944 as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's comprehensive regional development program, Fontana Dam and its reservoir have become premier destinations for visitors seeking a combination of engineering history and mountain recreation. The dam attracts tourists with its impressive scale and the dramatic mountain scenery that surrounds it, while Fontana Lake offers some of the clearest, cleanest water in the Southeast. The area is particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskie, as well as excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and swimming in the pristine mountain waters. The Appalachian Trail crosses the dam itself, making it a significant landmark for hikers, while the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides endless opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Fontana Village Resort, originally built to house dam construction workers, has been transformed into a family-friendly destination offering accommodations, dining, and recreational activities. The combination of the dam's historical significance, the lake's recreational opportunities, and the surrounding natural beauty creates a unique tourism experience that attracts visitors from across the Eastern United States.