RV Rental Lake Santeetlah, NC

The rugged 76-miles of shoreline are perfect for exploring by boat, with many inlets, coves, and creeks to delve into. Because of the mountainous nature of the landscape, the lake is a scattered collection of creeks rather than one large mass of water, and you could easily spend an entire day here and not see another soul. Pontoon boats, ski boats, and kayaks can all be rented at the Santeetlah Marina, located on a small peninsula with the town of Lake Santeetlah.

The peace and quiet will certainly appeal to anglers, and finding that perfect spot to enjoy a day of solitude and fishing is very easy. What great fishing there is, with bass, walleye, bluegill bream and lake trout all plentiful. Camping at Lake Santeetlah and fishing the lake could be the most relaxing vacation ever.

As you would expect, the area is crisscrossed with trails, some of them have been in existence for hundreds if not thousands of years. At the northern end of Lake Santeetlah is the entrance to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, which has several trails to hike. For an easy start, the forest loop trail is just under two miles long and graded as easy, and is great for birdwatching as you make your way through the hardwood forest.

Stratton Bald Loop Trail starts from the same point as the forest trail, but this is definitely for the more experienced hiker. It’s a 10.5-mile loop that climbs continuously and steadily along half the route but gives lovely views.

RV camping at Lake Santeetlah is available in the Cheoah Point Recreation Area, just a mile north of the town of Lake Santeetlah, at the north end of the lake. There are some RV campsites with electrical hook-up, but the majority are primitive sites. Flushing toilets, hot showers, and drinking water are available, but no other facilities.

A few miles east is the Teaberry Hill RV Campground, surrounded by forest and mountains. Set over 12 acres, the campground has just a dozen sites, each with plenty of room and separated by hedges. When you are looking for a site with privacy, this could be the one. The site has WiFi, restrooms with showers, and a laundry, plus every campsite has full hook-up. This is comfortable camping with an RV that offers truly spectacular scenery. Just remember to stock up your rental RV before arriving.

For an interesting scenic drive, try out the Cherohala Skyway that starts just west of Robbinsville and follows a 44-mile route to Tellico Plains in Tennessee. The road is graded as difficult because of the steep climbs and tight bends, but it is driveable in a rental RV with care. It would be advisable to take local advice as to whether your RV can make the trip. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views all the way, and the visitor center in Tellico Plains is worth visiting for information.

An interesting day out could be the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, with its depot in Bryson City a few miles east of the lake. With either steam or diesel-powered excursions available, it’s a comfortable way of seeing the scenery and enjoying some local history along the way. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion takes you on a 44-mile round trip that follows the Nantahala and Tennessee Rivers for much of its route, while the Tuckasegee River Excursion takes you to the historic town of Dillsboro for a 90-minute layover before returning.

Robbinsville holds an annual Heritage Festival during the Independence Day week, with music, live entertainment craft stalls and games for everyone to join in. A little more serious is the lumberjack contest, but it’s a great spectator sport, and harking back to the days of prohibition, there is normally a moonshine exhibition.