Cliffside Lake and Day Use Area

Area Status: Closed

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 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


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

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.