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Cliffside Lake and Day Use Area
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area offers two covered picnic shelters that must be reserved, a bathhouse with cold showers, a lake for fishing and swimming, a gazebo and six short hiking trails. Some trails lead to waterfalls.
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area: Day use per vehicle – $5 and Annual Pass – $20
Cliffside Lake Annual Passes can be purchased online.
Shelter Rental: Small shelter for 1/2 day – $25 (not including Day Use fee) Large shelter for 1/2 day – $35 (not including Day Use fee)
Stay is limited to 14 days. To prevent pipes from freezing, the recreation area's water is turned off when the area is closed. No fee is charged in winter.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Dawn to Dusk |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | Two shelters can be reserved for a fee. Small shelter for 1/2 day – $25 (not including Day Use fee) Large shelter for 1/2 day – $35 (not including Day Use fee) |
| Fees: | Picnic Shelters are available for reservation, small shelter is $25 per half day and large shelter is $35 per half day. Day use fee is $5 per vehicle with a self-service pay station. Seasonal passes are available for $20. Reservations for Cliffside Lake picnic Shelters can be made by calling 828-526-5912 or 877-444-6777 May-October or by going to https://gofindoutdoors.org/cliffside-lake-van-hook-glade/ |
| Permit Info: | North Carolina Fishing License is required to fish in Cliffside Lake and nearby streams and rivers. |
| Open Season: | April 1 - October 31 |
| Usage: | Light |
| Closest Towns: | Franklin- 8 miles; Highlands - 4.5 miles |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| Restroom: | Flush/Vault |
| Operated By: | FIND Outdoors |
General Information
Directions:From Highlands follow 64 West approximately 4.5 miles and the entrance will be on the right.
General Notes:
Nantahala Ranger District
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-6441
Activities
Lake and Pond Fishing
From Cliffside Lake, anglers may fish the shoreline. To fish Cliffside Lake and nearby streams and rivers, anglers must have a North Carolina fishing license and trout stamp.
| Fishing Mode | Bank |
| Fishing Platform | Fishing platforms are available. |
| Accessible Platform | Accessible Fishing platform |
| Fishing Method | Bait, lure |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Day Hiking
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area offers six short hiking trails, some of which lead to waterfalls.
Picnicking
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area offers picnicking and shelters for a fee.
| Fire Information | Grills |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Group Picnicking
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area offers picnick shelters. Call 828-862-5962 to reserve either a small or large shelter for a fee.
Swimming
Swimming in Cliffside Lake is a favorite passtime at the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area. Bathhouse facilities are available with showers. No flotation devices are permitted on the lake.