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Tusquitee Ranger District

This 158,900-acre district lies in the far southwestern tip of North Carolina in Cherokee and Clay Counties. The Tusquitee District has three large lakes that offer a variety of recreation. Two major rivers, the Hiwassee and Valley, provide canoeing. Three reservoirs in beautiful mountain settings provide a playground for recreation enthusiasts. Hiwassee Lake, Chatuge Lake, and Appalachia Lake offer boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming, as well as a quiet place to relax and enjoy nature’s wonders. Chatuge Lake is excellent for sailing. The Hiwassee and Appalachia Lakes are located west of Murphy, along the Hiwassee River. Chatuge Lake spans the Georgia-North Carolina State line, south of Hayesville. For camping and picnicking, four areas are available.

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Getting There

Directions

The District office is located off US 19/74 on Hiwassee Street in Murphy at 123 Woodland Drive.

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are not available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Recreation Opportunities

Picnicking - SinglePicnicking - Single
Picnicking - GroupsPicnicking - Groups

SwimmingSwimming
Boating - MotorizedBoating - Motorized
Boating - Non-MotorizedBoating - Non-Motorized

Last updated February 18th, 2025