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North Carolina is actually a pretty picturesque state, but its crown jewel is the city of Charlotte. A great many lakes are located in the vicinity of this city. If you want to enjoy one of them, you won’t be disappointed.
Lake Norman
Lake Norman is one of the largest manmade lakes in North America, and it’s located just north of Charlotte. It’s got a lot of activities to keep you busy, from fishing and boating to swimming and more! There are also plenty of places to rent boats if you don’t have your own.
The lake itself is well-known for its bass fishing–the Department of Natural Resources stocks it with more than 1 million pounds of smallmouth bass each year! But there are other species here too: crappie (another type of fish), catfish, striped bass, and even bluegill sunfish can be found in Lake Norman’s waters.
Not into fishing but still want some time on the water anyway? You might want to consider renting a boat or taking out lessons at one of the many marinas around town; there are several options like Boathouse Marina & Resort where visitors can rent boats by hour or day depending on how much time they want to spend out on their vessel versus being guided by professionals who know how best navigate this huge body of water we call home here in North America.
Mountain Island Lake
Mountain Island Lake is the largest lake in Charlotte, and it’s also home to one of the state’s most expansive shorelines. There are three islands in this lake: Mountain Island, West Mountain, and Long Island. Each island has its own unique features, including beaches and parks that are open for public use.
Mountain Island Lake offers plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing enthusiasts alike–it has a public boat ramp located near the dam on the east side of the lake (near Billy Graham Parkway).
Lake Wylie
Lake Wylie is a great place to go swimming, boating, and jet skiing. There’s also an area on the lake where you can rent boats or even take sailing lessons if you’re interested in learning how to sail a boat.
The water at Lake Wylie is clear enough that you can see fish swimming below when you’re in your own boat or kayak! If fishing is your thing then this would definitely be one of my top picks for lakes in Charlotte because many different types of fish live here including bass, crappie, and catfish (just to name a few).
The beach area near Fort Mill tends to get crowded during summer months but it’s still worth visiting because it offers plenty of shade trees where families can picnic together while enjoying their day at this beautiful lakefront park location.
McAlpine Creek Lake
McAlpine Creek Lake is a secluded and quiet lake, located just north of Charlotte. This lake offers great fishing opportunities along with boating and swimming. It’s also good for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.
Although the lake is small in size (only about 10 acres), it’s great for beginners who want to try out different activities like sailing or windsurfing because there are no strong winds that could hinder your experience.
White Water Center Lake Norman
White Water Center Lake Norman is located in Mooresville, North Carolina. It has a beach, canoe, kayak launch, campground, and picnic area as well as a marina and playground. The swimming area offers shallow waters for children to play in while parents relax at the beach or picnic tables. This is a great place for families who love the outdoors!
Lake Lure
Lake Lure is located in Rutherford and Burke counties, North Carolina. It was formed by a meteor crash that created a natural lake surrounded by mountains. The fact that the lake was formed by a meteorite fall makes it interesting in itself. This makes it a popular destination for rock climbing and hiking.
But Lake Lure also features more “traditional” aquatic activities. For example, there is an excellent beach, where it is always nice to swim and sunbathe. In addition, Lake Lure also has a water park with a lot of interesting activities. One of these, of course, is boating. One of the important advantages of this lake is its rather “pristine” appearance. It is a great place to dive into nature and travel off the beaten path.
Belews Lake
Lake Belews is another attractive place for boating and nature lovers. It is located in a very picturesque place, but this is only a small part of all its advantages. The presence of a marina makes this lake great for boating. So it’s no wonder that Lake Belews is a popular place to swim and boat, with a swimming area that includes a beach. It also has several campgrounds near the lake, including Belews Creek Park Campground and Lake Toxaway State Park. If you like the spirit of exploration, this lake will appeal to you. There are two small islands, Big Island and Round Island. They are practically untouched by civilization, so when you first enter them you will feel like a true explorer. On the lakeshore is Knight Brown Nature Preserve, one of the most famous nature preserves in North Carolina.
Lake James
You can’t help but mention Lake James when talking about vacations in North Carolina. Lake James is the third largest lake in North Carolina, and it’s also the largest man-made lake in the state. The boating here is top-notch. It’s all about several marinas, which are located on the lake. The best known is Bear Creek Marina on the west side of the lake. It’s well equipped for the comfort of campers. Other marinas, though less well known, also offer boating enthusiasts everything they need. Of course, there’s the beach, too. And if you love hiking, Lake James is one of the best places in the Charlotte area. Fonta Flora County Park and Connector Trailhead would be a great route for your hike.
