Old Ford car on the Lakeshore Trail near Fontana Dam in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hiking is the main draw to the Fontana Dam Region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can pick up the Appalachian Trail from here and hike the length of Fontana Lake along the Lakeshore Trail. Various trails branch off from the Lakeshore Trail and lead into the interior of the park.
Fontana Dam itself is not part of the park, but it does have its own visitor center for those who want to learn more about it. Construction on the dam began in 1942, and it was completed in late 1944. It dammed the Little Tennessee River to form Fontana Lake. At the time, the land belonged to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA gave the land north of the lake to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1948.
HIKING TRAILS
There are dozens of hiking trails in the Fontana Dam area, and over 800 miles of trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is not possible for me to hike all of them, but I did hike a few in each region. Here is a suggestion for a hike in the dam area.
Lakeshore Trail to Old Cars
Hike two miles, one way, to see five old Ford cars from the early to mid-1930s.
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Last updated on February 13, 2025
