2016 Map of Fontana Dam

About this map

The Little Tennessee River corridor defines this mountain landscape, which is split between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north and the Nantahala National Forest to the south. The massive impoundment of Fontana Lake dominates the central topography, while the Appalachian National Scenic Trail winds through the high ridges of the Smoky Mountains, crossing near the Fontana Dam itself. Local history is preserved in small family burial grounds like Payne Cem, Welch Cove Cem, and Orr Cem, which mark the areas of earlier settlement before the creation of the park and the flooding of the valleys. Fontana Village serves as a primary hub for the region, while the small community of Fairfax and the crossing at Rymers Ferry sit along the western edge of the quadrangle. The map reveals a complex network of forest trails, including the Lakeshore Trail and Wolf Ridge Trail, cutting through the Yellow Creek Mountains and Long Hungry Ridge.