Lake Fontana was a community built for workers constructing the dam on Lake Fontana back in the 1940s.

Once the dam was complete, the village was transformed into Fontana Village Resort, and we are excited to report that it survived Hurricane Helene and is ready to welcome visitors.

Let's take a look.

[uplifting music] - Fontana Village was created in 1942 as the village that housed all the workers that built Fontana Dam.

At one time it housed over 5,000 workers here at the dam, with their families.

And after the dam was built, it became a resort, and it was a Mecca for visitors in Western Carolina.

[gentle music] It's 386 acres.

It's quite large for a resort.

In addition to that, we have 125 cabins, and cabins are from anywhere from one bedrooms to four bedrooms.

And then we have a 60-slip marina that has a covered marina space, plus the moorings for over 22 houseboats.

Then we have the general store, the ice cream parlor, two restaurants, and then we have our own post office and our own zip code.

So a very large property.

[uplifting music] - We are nestled against the Smokies on TVA land, and then back up against the Nantahala National Forest, so it is a playground for anything outdoors.

You can do lots on site with the hiking trails, as well as all the activities that we have going on, as well as offsite.

There's plenty of places to go see the lake, relax, just about any speed you want.

[uplifting music continues] Our outdoor programs building has a whole rental fleet of field game and court games.

So everything from tennis to pickleball, volleyball, tetherball.

We have an 18-hole mini golf course.

We have an 18-hole disc golf course.

In addition, we have the lazy river in the pool.

That's a big highlight of a lot of people's vacation here when the weather's warm.

We also offer educational programs where we bring in local experts to come and lead programs on everything from astronomy, bats, wild crafting and foraging.

We also have a marina.

There's around 20 miles of trails that are available, you can take your bike on.

And one of the great things about Fontana Village and the activities we offer is that you don't have to stay here to enjoy them.

If you're staying somewhere else locally, or you are a local, you're welcome to come and participate in what we have to offer.

[uplifting music] - So Captain Carl took us out on the historic lake tour on Miss Hazel, and that was amazing, giving us all the cool tidbits of history.

The marina was fun too.

They've got so many different things to do.

It has a lot to offer.

[gentle music] - We're the only access points to the south side of the National Park, so in order to get to Hazel Creek and Eagle Creek, you have to get to it by boat, and we're the only marina that services the national park sites over there, and we run the hiker shuttles.

And so it's like your own private national park when you get there, very uncrowded, and, you know, you get to enjoy it to yourself.

[upbeat music] - At the horse stables at Fontana Village, there are a couple different rides.

We have a shorter one-hour ride, and then we also have a two-hour ride that takes you through the same forest, but just a little bit extended, and you will get views of the Fontana Dam.

You know, one of the coolest parts about it is you get to go with experienced Appalachian horse folks.

So you know, they've been riding horses around these mountains for a long time.

So you'll hear stories, a little bit of history, but really get a good feel for what it was like back in the day, riding horses around the mountains here.

[upbeat music continues] - It was in 2008, as I came here the first time as a guest.

I was looking for a really peaceful place where I could just disconnect and wind down.

And, you know, knowing Fontana Village, I figured this would be a perfect location for me to do that.

Sky is the limit here, and, you know, because of the environment here, this is really the main reason we love to come back here.

- And there's something really for everyone.

It's a unique vacation where you just kind of get away from it all.

[uplifting music] - We truly are a very remote place, but it does provide that tranquil setting that a lot of people are looking for.

It's a really magic place.

[uplifting music] - Fontana Village Resort and Marina is at 300 Woods Road in Fontana Dam.

The resort is open, but check their website for the latest travel information at fontanavillage.com, or give them a call at [800] 849-2258.