Cliffside Lake Shelters

Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is a large day-use area outside of Highlands, NC, in the Nantahala National Forest. The site offers access to Cliffside Lake, where visitors can fish and swim, and it is home to several trailheads, including the popular Ranger Falls Trail. A $5 per car parking fee is charged for all visitors. The picnic shelters offer a large covered area with picnic tables, grills and vault toilets — the perfect venue for a family reunion, school group or church outing. Visitors can also use the beach and swimming area (no lifeguard on duty), a fishing pier, flush toilets near the beach, and several small uncovered picnic areas complete with tables and grills. Six hiking trails range from easy to moderate, alongside trout fishing, picnicking and swimming; boating is not permitted. Cliffside is a short drive from Dry Falls, Whitewater Falls and Rainbow Falls, and is adjacent to the well maintained and secluded Van Hook Glade Campground. The nearby Cashiers Valley offers hiking, cycling, fishing, rock climbing and whitewater, and nearby Whiteside Mountain is the perfect hike for an adventurous family with young children. Cliffside Lake is located adjacent to the beautiful Cullasaja Gorge, where several large waterfalls stand a short walk from Highway 64. The site is nestled between three beautiful mountains, all of which can be explored on the extensive trail system. At 4,118 feet elevation, visitors will enjoy the cooler temperatures that the unique temperate rainforest ecosystem brings to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The calm waters of the lake offer anglers of all ages a chance at trout, bass and bream. A morning or late afternoon drive down scenic Highway 64 is sure to present amazing views. The quaint town of Highlands has a general store and several fantastic restaurants, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, grocery stores and performing arts.