Fun at Lake Chatuge

Lake Chatuge has 133 miles of shoreline and covers 7200 acres, half in North Carolina and half in Georgia.  There are many scenic coves for water activities, and the lake is not as busy as the lakes near Atlanta so it is nicer for boating activities.  There are several marinas which provide watercraft of all types – click here for a list of businesses providing Recreation.  Three public boat ramps are on the North Carolina side of Lake Chatuge: Jackrabbit Mountain Campground, off Hwy 175; Gibson Cove Campground, off Myers Chapel Road; and Ledford Chapel Wildlife Access Ramp, off of Hwy 64.  

There are over 30 types of fish in Lake Chatuge, with large and small mouth bass and sunfish predominating.  Click here for more information on fishing in the lake and our streams and rivers.

The Clay County Park Campground and Gibson Cove Campground have walking paths, bike trails, campsites, fishing spots, a sandy beach with swim area, as well as picnic table and benches for watching your children on the playground.   Boat ramps and launching spots for kayaks and paddleboards are available  Restrooms, shower facilities and campsites are only open during the late Spring and Summer seasons, however, the grounds themselves are accessible for year-round enjoyment.

You can take the three mile walking path from here all the way across Chatuge Dam, where residents and visitors can often be found on a sunset stroll with views of the lake on one side and the mountains on the other.  Access the park off of Meyers Chapel Rd 2.2 miles south of Hwy 64, or 1.6 miles east of Hwy 69.   You can also park at Chatuge Dam, which is located by taking Meyers Chapel south from Hwy 64 for .6 miles, then veering left onto Chatuge Dam Rd for 1 mile.

Another boat ramp and many picnic tables on the shores of the lake are located at The Circle on the eastern side of the Dam.  Access this area by taking Hinton Center Rd 1.7 miles south of Hwy 64, then turn right on the Circle (road is not marked but there are two large yellow gates open on the side of the road) for .4 miles.

Jackrabbit Mountain Campground  in the Nantahala National Forest is situated on a pensinsula in Lake Chatuge.  It offersfabulous campsites on the lake, a swimming areas with a sandy beach, boat ramps, a pavilion and fishing pier.    Mountain bikers and hikers love the 15 miles of hiking trails along the lake.  These trails are accessed from the gravel parking lot .8 miles along Jack Rabbit Rd.    This is one of the best, free flowing mountain bike trails in GA or NC and is suitable for beginners to advanced riders.  A new 6 mile trail with more jumps and bumps just opened closer to the campground.   At the end of Jack Rabbit Rd the road forks to the left for the campground or right to a boat ramp and large parking lot.  A wonderful hikers only 2 mile path starts to the right where the road forks.  It winds around Jackrabbit Mountain and will bring you back to the large gravel parking lot which also has restrooms.

Ledford Chapel Road boat ramp has three ramps and a large parking lot, as well as a fishing dock.  It is located off Hwy 64 about 3 miles east of Hayesville, at the end of Ledford Chapel Rd.   There are several picnic tables and a small parking area with lake access right of Hwy 64 just east of Ledford Chapel Rd.

There is a swimming beach and playground off of Hwy 76 in Hiawassee.