Lake Glenville, NC Vacation FAQ

Lake Glenville, NC sitting atop the Cashiers / Highlands Plateau in Western North Carolina with its serene beauty and abundant recreational opportunities, is a coveted destination nestled in the majestic mountains of North Carolina. Whether you're an ardent admirer of nature, a water sports enthusiast, or simply looking to beat the Atlanta heat in the summertime, Lake Glenville and the Cashiers area offers something for everyone. Here are some common questions we get from our guests that we thought would be helpful for those planning a vacation to Lake Glenville, NC.

What is the best way to get to Lake Glenville, NC?

Lake Glenville is located in Jackson County North Carolina, about 10 miles north of where the borders of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia meet. The closest airports are Asheville Regional Airport about 1 hour away, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport which is just under 2 hours away and Atlanta (ATL) Driving from Atlanta will take about 3 hours.

Once you get within driving distance, there three main ways to approach Lake Glenville. From the North and South, the best way to access the area is via NC Hwy 107. This road is well maintained and two lanes in many areas but as you are climbing up into a mountain elevation of almost 4000 feet, you need to be prepared for some windy approaches. From the East and West, the main access is via NC Rte 64 to Cashiers, NC and then Hwy 107. Rte 64 travels from Highlands, NC over to Brevard and travels along the Cashiers / Highlands, Plateau. It's an incredibly scenic drive but very windy for at least 30 minutes of driving.

What are the lodging options around Lake Glenville, NC?

Lake Glenville is only moderately developed and doesn't have any commercial developments along the lake itself, so this means there are only a few hotel options in the area. There is a The Hampton Inn and Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley is the one brand name hotel in the area and there are also a few boutique hotels in Cashiers like The Wells Hotel and the Hotel Cashiers that are just minutes from the lake.

Most guests to the area look to rent homes along the lake and in the immediate area. We'd highly recommend Rocky Point at Lake Glenville, but we are admittedly a bit biased. Other options can be found on AirBnb, VRBO or through local vacation rental agencies like Silver Creek Vacation Rentals.

What is the best time of year to visit Lake Glenville, NC?

Would we be too biased if we said anytime? In all seriousness, the most popular times to visit are in the summer when the temperatures on the Cashiers / Highlands plateau are easily 10-15 degrees cooler than the surrounding metro areas like Atlanta, Charlotte or especially Florida, where many of our guest hail from.

Beyond the summer months the next most popular times to visit are during the peak folliage in October, when the surrounding Smokey Mountains are ablaze in color and then in and around the Christmas Holidays as Jackson County, NC is the Christmas Tree capital of the Southeastern United States.

While, Summer, Leaf Season and the holidays are some of the most popular times to visit. Lake Glenville is a great place to visit year round. September is an amazing month as it's still warm enough for swimming and boating on the lake but there aren't the summer time crowds. In the winter there are winter sports and activities with several snow tubing locations nearby and Cataloochee Ski area is just about an hour away making for an easy day trip. You can even get lucky and get some natural snowfalls several times a year.

Finally, spring is also a magical time as the mountainside blooms with Rhododendrons and the bass fishing on Lake Glenville and the fly fishing in local streams and rivers is world class.

What are the popular water activities on Lake Glenville, NC?

As a crystal clear mountain lake, Lake Glenville is ideal for water sports from swimming to kayaking to wake boarding you can find it all. Most rental properties, including Rocky Point at Lake Glenville offer guests use of kayaks and canoes. There are several public boat launches on the lake if you have your own boat and want to bring it up to the lake. Finally, if you are looking to rent a boat, Signal Ridge Marina offers pontoon boat rentals.

Are there hiking trails around Lake Glenville, NC?

The Lake Glenville, NC area is truly a hiking paradise. Some of our favorite hiking spots in the area include Panthertown Valley, Whiteside Mountain and Lower Whitewater Falls. There also is an excellent local hiking shop in Cashiers, The Highland Hiker that offers supplies and advice to hikers in the area.

What are the fishing opportunities around Lake Glenville, NC?

Lake Glenville is a popular fishing destination in the area with Large and Smallmouth bass being the most commonly targeted species. Lake Glenville is known for it's quality of fish over it's quantity with catches often in the 3-5lb size. The lake also does hold yellow perch, brown and rainbow trout as well as Walleye although those species aren't prevalent as the Bass.  For more details on fishing the lake visit our Lake Glenville Fishing Tips page

Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina is some of the best on the east coast and Lake Glenville sits in the heart of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail. The lake is actually the headwaters of the Tuckaseegee River which is a world class trout fishery. Upper sections coming out of the lake are wadable and hold wild Rainbows some of trophy caliber. As you move north towards Sylva NC there are stocked sections including a delayed harvest section running through Sylva and Dillsboro NC where in the right conditions you can catch dozens of trout in a half day session.

The Tuck isn't the only game around however, the Chattooga River offers some great options to the south of Lake Glenville and if you head east towards Brevard the French Broad is river is well stocked year round.

Are there any restrictions or permits required for boating on Lake Glenville, NC?

North Carolina law requires any person born on or after January 1, 1988, who will be operating a vessel over 10 hp to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card.

What are the dining options near Lake Glenville, NC?

While there aren't any restaurants on the lake itself there are numerous great restaurants in the Cashiers area. Happs Place and Whiteside Brewing are great Gastro Pub's with live music and fun out door areas where kids can play while adults socialize. If you are in the mood for pizza, Slab Town Pizza is a great option. If you are looking for more upscale options, check out The Library Kitchen and Bar , The Orchard or Canyon Kitchen.