Hilton's Lakefront on Lake Santeetlah

Car: Necessary

Located approximately 5 miles North of the town of Robbinsville, in a small residential development known as Forest Lakes, Hilton's Lakefront offers a large yard and a quiet setting in a cove on Lake Santeetlah. Lake Santeetlah is a beautiful pristine lake with 76 miles of shoreline and approximately 80% of the land around the lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The lake is ideal for swimming, fishing & boating.

Hilton's Lakefront is conveniently located to many places of interest including Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a virgin timber forest with enormous size trees over 400 years old, heights of 150 feet and circumferences of 20 feet.

The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic By-Way, leads you through wilderness mountain country where you will climb to elevations over a mile high to enjoy the scenic overlooks, hiking trails & the wonders of nature.

Fontana Dam, built in the early 1940's is the highest concrete dam east of the Rockies and is definitely a site to behold! Lake Fontana borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers 240 miles of shoreline & is well known with fishing enthusiasts, boaters & swimmers.

Also, of special note, areas of Lake Fontana & the town of Robbinsville were featured in the 1994 filming of the major motion picture 'Nell' starring Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson & Natasha Richardson. A scene in the filming of the movie 'The Fugitive' starring Harrison Ford was filmed at Cheoah Dam on Hwy. 129, near Tail of the Dragon & the Cheoah River.

Hilton's Lakefront is just minutes from the Cheoah River & Tail of the Dragon. The Dragon, which is Internationally known among motorcyclists & sports car enthusiasts, boasts 318 curves in 11 miles.

While the Cheoah River may look like a sleepy river at times, it becomes a raging river with a Class III - IV+ and V river for experienced rafters & kayakers during special water release dates.

Many local artisans in this mountain region welcome you to their studios and it's a great way to see the back roads and countryside at the same time. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center features local artisan works in their Gallery which is open daily except Sunday and concerts are held every Saturday night during the summer months for an enjoyable 'Appalachian Evening Concert'.

If mountain biking is your sport, Tsali Recreation Area is within 25 - 35 minutes drive from Hilton's Lakefront & features challenging trails that offers views of the Smokies & Lake Fontana.

The Nantahala River for a family friendly whitewater rafting trip or fly fishing in a delayed harvest trout stream is within 30 minutes drive of Hilton's Lakefront.

Just 45 minutes to Cherokee where you can explore the History of the Cherokee Indians at the Museum or Oconoluftee Indian Village or the live outdoor drama 'Unto These Hills' that tells the Trail of Tears story about the removal of the Cherokee people from the mountains to Oklahoma. Enjoy gem mining, shopping or perhaps take your chances gambling at Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Step back in time at the Pioneer Farmstead next to the Oconoluftee Visitor Center at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Hwy. 441 as you leave Cherokee and enter the Park. The new Oconoluftee Visitor Center also provides some very interesting history & information about the Park including wildllife, flowers, trees, hiking trails, waterfalls, old communities & Appalachian living in the Smokies. On the third Saturday of every month, Oconoluftee Visitor Center hosts an 'Old-time Music Jam Session' from 1:00 PM to 3:00PM. Anyone who plays or sings old-time music is welcome to join in and spectators are welcome, too.

If you're a train buff or just want to have a fun day riding a train through the mountains, check out the Great Smoky Mountains Railway in Bryson City, approximately 35 minutes drive from Hilton's Lakefront.

How about tubing down a creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? For a fun day, you can rent a tube near Deep Creek in Bryson City and enjoy tubing down the creek, picnicing in the Park or hiking a short trail to a waterfall.

You won't have to go far to find trout streams & creeks, hiking trails including The Appalachian Trail, waterfalls, wildflowers, mountain biking & horseback riding trails, whitewater rafting & kayaking on the Nantahala River or Cheoah River.

Come explore and enjoy our natural wonders, scenic beauty and great outdoor adventures - we're the best kept secret in the Smokies especially Lake Santeetlah where you can sit and relax on the open deck or the gazebo by the lake or how about a cool, refreshing swim off the private boat dock. You might even try catching a fish right in your own backyard!