Fontana Dam

Why go

Fontana Dam stands beside the park’s southwestern gateway, outside the park boundary, where the Appalachian Trail crosses the dam area. The large structure and reservoir give this corner of the Smokies a very different scale from the inland valleys. Visit for the outdoor view; treat the TVA visitor center as a separate, seasonally operated facility.

What to look for

• The dam holds back Fontana Lake.
• The Appalachian Trail crosses the dam area.

Useful to know

• The outdoor dam view and TVA visitor center are different stops; the center has seasonal hours.
• Use the NC 28 approach and check TVA’s current visitor-center hours before relying on exhibits.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.