Fontana Area

A lake surrounded by rolling hills covered in green trees. — B. Miller Photo

Fontana encompasses one of the most remote sections of the Smokies where the waters of the Fontana and Cheoah lakes hem the park’s southwestern boundary west of Bryson City, North Carolina. Enjoy solitude, scenic cascades, spring wildflowers, fall leaf color, remnants of logging history, and access to several backcountry trails and campsites.

Places to Go in Fontana

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Fontana Dam
A large hydroelectric dam completed in 1945 with a visitor center operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Lakeview Drive Tunnel
A 1,200-foot (366 m) tunnel at the end of Lakeview Drive that is permanently closed to motorized traffic but serves as a gateway to hiking trails, remote campsites, and more just north of Fontana Lake.

Things to Do in Fontana Area

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hike to Twentymile Cascade
- Type: Hiking
- Reservations: No
- Pets: No
Hike 1.2 miles (1.9 km) roundtrip along a wide gravel roadbed that follows a mountain stream to a cascade surrounded by moss-covered rocks and mixed hardwood forest.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hike Goldmine Loop via Tunnel Bypass Trail
- Type: Hiking
- Reservations: No
- Pets: No
Hike 4 miles (6.4 km) on Lakeshore and Goldmine Loop trails through a hardwood forest filled with signs of old homesites and farms. This trail is moderate but includes some rocky areas and shallow stream crossings.

Visitor Center & Campground Information

Fontana is a very remote area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See below for nearest facilities.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Near Cherokee, North Carolina, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is an ideal starting point as you enter the park's South District. Explore cultural history exhibits. Enjoy ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. Find public restrooms and drink vending machines.

The adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn crib and others.

Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Hours vary seasonally.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Winter Hours

December 1–February 28

Every Day:9:00 AM–4:30 PM

Hours vary in December, January, and February.

Holidays

2025–2026

Holiday	Date	Hours
New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed

Grass and yellow flowers in front of a striking building with many windows, a porch, and a chimney.

A topographic map display in a room with large windows and a TV display plus park information

A porch railing overlooking a grassy field with mountains and trees in the distance

Shelves and displays of merchandise like stuffed animals, books, postcards, clothes, and more.

A covered porch area with a chimney, benches, and light fixtures on the ceiling.

The front of a building with many windows divided by brown frames beside gray brick siding.

Information panels about protecting park resources. Wooden and stone support beams in view.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center and administrative building adjacent to parking lot.

Grass and yellow flowers in front of a striking building with many windows, a porch, and a chimney. — The Oconaluftee Visitor Center offers a shady porch for warm days.
NPS Photo

A topographic map display in a room with large windows and a TV display plus park information — The Oconaluftee Visitor Center's LEED-certified infrastructure provides wonderful natural light with its large windows.
NPS Photo

A porch railing overlooking a grassy field with mountains and trees in the distance — The Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch can be a great spot to watch elk from a safe distance.
NPS Photo

Shelves and displays of merchandise like stuffed animals, books, postcards, clothes, and more. — Find the perfect souvenir at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center's park bookstore.
NPS Photo

A covered porch area with a chimney, benches, and light fixtures on the ceiling. — The porch at Oconaluftee Visitor Center offers a shaded resting spot for all.
NPS Photo

The front of a building with many windows divided by brown frames beside gray brick siding. — Large windows greet visitors to Oconaluftee Visitor Center
NPS Photo

Information panels about protecting park resources. Wooden and stone support beams in view. — The park visitor centers offer opportunities for learning about the park and ways to protect it.
NPS Photo

Oconaluftee Visitor Center and administrative building adjacent to parking lot. — Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC
NPS Photo

Closed

Abrams Creek Campground

Cell Phone Reception: No
Internet Connectivity: No
Trash/Recycling Collection: Yes, Seasonal
Food Storage Lockers: No
Camp Store: No
Ice for Sale: No
Firewood for Sale: No
Staff On Site: Yes, Seasonal
Amphitheater: No
Laundry: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water: Potable Water - Seasonal

Abrams Creek Campground is located beside beautiful Abrams Creek in a remote and secluded setting. With an elevation of 1,125 feet (343 m), the climate is moderate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Flush toilets and drinking water are available. No hookups or showers are available at the campground.

TOTAL SITES: 16

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 4

Walk to/Boat to: 0

Group: 0

Horse: 0

Other: 0

View Details

Closed

Deep Creek Campground

Cell Phone Reception: No
Internet Connectivity: No
Trash/Recycling Collection: Yes, Seasonal
Food Storage Lockers: No
Camp Store: No
Ice for Sale: No
Firewood for Sale: No
Staff On Site: Yes, Seasonal
Amphitheater: No
Laundry: No
Dump Station: Yes, Seasonal
Potable Water: Potable Water - Seasonal

Deep Creek Campground is located next to one of the park's most popular creeks. With an elevation of 1,800 feet (549 m), the climate is characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Whether blanketed in bright spring wildflowers or vivid fall colors, the scenery at Deep Creek never disappoints. Hookups and showers are not provided, but flush toilets and drinking water are available.

TOTAL SITES: 92

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 60

Walk to/Boat to: 42

Group: 3

Horse: 0

Other: 0

View Details

Last updated: January 10, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone:

(865)436-1200

Alerts In Effect

Park Closures

Cosby Entrance Road closed for construction

Fontana Area

Places to Go in Fontana

Fontana Dam

Lakeview Drive Tunnel

Things to Do in Fontana Area

Hike to Twentymile Cascade

Hike Goldmine Loop via Tunnel Bypass Trail