Welcome to Fontana Dam
Words by Marianne Leek
Photos by Chelsea Turner
People often refer to exceptionally beautiful rural landscapes as “God’s Country,” believing the bucolic surroundings have been quite literally favored and touched by the hand of God. According to census data from 2022, Fontana Dam, North Carolina’s tiniest town, boasts a population of eleven full time residents who will likely agree that they do indeed live in one of the most picturesque places in the South. Located in far western North Carolina’s Graham County, Fontana Village Resort and Marina is situated along the banks of Lake Fontana and surrounded by the majestic Smoky Mountains. This year-round premiere vacation destination welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually, and what the town of Fontana Dam lacks in size it makes up for in timeless tradition, endless charm, and unmatched character.
Remaining unincorporated until 2011, the history dates back over 100 years when many area residents worked in thriving logging and mining industries. Development of this remote area continued during World War II when the Tennessee Valley Authority responded to the need for electricity by building hydroelectric dams across the South. Fontana Dam was constructed to provide electricity for the Aluminum Company of America located in nearby Tennessee, which produced aluminum for military aircraft used during World War II. When construction began, Fontana Village was established to serve as a community for workers and their families, complete with schools, churches, a hospital, barber shop, theater, post office, and library. Following the completion of the Dam in 1944, the town transitioned from a community of workers to a resort for tourists to enjoy in the summer of 1946.
At 480 feet, Fontana Dam is the tallest dam east of the Rockies and boasts panoramic views of Lake Fontana, the Little Tennessee River, and the surrounding mountains. The nearby tiny town of the same name continues to be a destination for those seeking outdoor adventure, relaxation, or respite from the busyness and noise of modern society.
An iconic hidden gem of the South, the Main Lodge of Fontana Village Resort has been thoughtfully renovated and restored, while paying homage to the property’s unique history and “drawing inspiration from the bespoke beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and the iconic Appalachian region of where it resides.”
2023 began a multi-year restoration effort of the property; the first phase completed in 2024, including substantial upgrades to the lobby and the 42 rooms of the Main Lodge, as well as 14 of the 100 surrounding cabins that once served as employee housing for dam workers. Designers intentionally chose textures and materials unique to Fontana’s history and the American Industrial Era when it was founded, each room decorated with “rustic hues that mimic the Appalachian terrain and its native flora… supplemented by Pendleton fabrics in shades of twilight.” Original photos dating back to the days of dam’s construction decorate the walls of each guest room. With one to four bedrooms, the surrounding cabins provide full kitchens, porches, and living space for families and larger groups to spread out and enjoy the views. For those looking for a more rustic retreat, camping accommodations for tents, RVs, and trailers are located a short distance away between the banks of the Little Tennessee River and Fontana Dam and operate seasonally from April through November.
Visitors can take advantage of a few on-site dining options, including Hazel’s, where guests can dine on elevated cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. If you’re looking for casual dining, Quill’s Canteen has “Dam Good Pizzas,” Carolina Trout bites, salads, fried pickles, and an Appalachian smash burger that’s to die for. Don’t forget to save room for a handspun milkshake from the Fontana Ice Cream Parlor. If you’re heading out for a hike, grab-and-go provisions are available at both the General Store and the Dam Garage. The historic General Store, which is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, also serves as the check-in facility for the property.
Following the completion of the Dam in 1944, the town transitioned from a community of workers to a resort for tourists to enjoy in the summer of 1946.
Fontana Dam may be small, but it’s big on adventure with over 20 miles of maintained hiking and mountain biking trails to enjoy. Guests can also section hike the Appalachian Trail that crosses Fontana Dam, stretching formidably across the Little Tennessee River below. Whether you’re an experienced angler, simply enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing, or maybe you just want to spend the afternoon cruising along the lake on a pontoon boat, the Fontana Marina offers convenient and reasonable equipment and watercraft rentals.
While it’s changed over the years in functionality and purpose, since 1942 one thing about Fontana Village Resort has remained constant—an unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of community. Spend your afternoons reading a book by the Stone Creek Pool while the kids enjoy the lazy river, engage in some family-friendly competition by taking advantage of the 18-hole disc golf and mini golf courses, or play a pick up game of basketball, tennis, or sand volleyball with other guests; a visit to this mountain oasis is the peaceful reset you didn’t know you needed. Whether you’re traveling with family, enjoying a girls’ trip, planning a couples retreat, or traveling on business, the small town of Fontana Dam is one of the dreamiest vacation destinations in the Southeast. Just be prepared, you’ll likely want to return year after year.
