North Carolina’s Best Lakes to Visit by Car
Thursday 8th May 2025
North Carolina’s diverse landscape offers some of the most scenic lakes in the southeastern United States. From crystal-clear mountain waters to expansive coastal waterways, the Tar Heel State’s lakes provide perfect destinations for weekend getaways or day trips. With an Easirent vehicle from our Charlotte Douglas location, you can explore these stunning bodies of water at your own pace, discovering hidden coves, waterfront restaurants, and perfect swimming spots along the way. Here’s our guide to North Carolina’s must-visit lakes that are best experienced by car.
Lake Norman – Charlotte Region
Just 20 miles north of Charlotte, Lake Norman stands as North Carolina’s largest man-made lake with 520 miles of shoreline. This massive aquatic playground is perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway, with numerous access points easily reached by car. Drive to Lake Norman State Park on the northern end for public beaches, well-maintained hiking trails, and picnic facilities perfect for families. The east side of the lake offers upscale waterfront dining in Cornelius and Davidson, where you can enjoy fresh seafood with stunning water views. For water sports enthusiasts, numerous marinas around the lake offer boat rentals, from pontoons perfect for leisurely cruising to speedboats for water skiing adventures. The lake’s proximity to Charlotte makes it an ideal quick escape from city life, with the drive from our Charlotte Douglas rental location taking under 30 minutes.
Lake Lure – Blue Ridge Mountains
Nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains just 95 miles from Charlotte, Lake Lure offers one of North Carolina’s most picturesque driving experiences. The winding mountain roads leading to this 720-acre lake provide breathtaking overlooks and photo opportunities at every turn. Made famous as a filming location for the movie “Dirty Dancing,” Lake Lure features a sandy beach perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Drive the scenic roads circling the lake to discover charming lakeside communities, hidden restaurants serving mountain trout, and countless scenic vistas. The nearby town of Chimney Rock offers additional attractions, including the iconic granite monolith offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. For the ultimate road trip experience, follow the curving lakeside roads early in the morning when mist rises from the water’s surface against a backdrop of towering mountains.
High Rock Lake – Central North Carolina
Located in the Piedmont region just 60 miles northeast of Charlotte, High Rock Lake provides 225 miles of shoreline and abundant fishing opportunities. This drive takes you through charming small towns and rolling countryside before arriving at North Carolina’s second-largest lake. The road trip itself showcases the transition from urban landscapes to rural communities where fishing is a way of life. Explore the western shore by car to discover numerous public access points, fishing piers, and boat launches. The eastern shore offers more secluded coves and inlets, perfect for peaceful nature watching. Local restaurants serve fresh catch-of-the-day specials, with catfish, crappie, and bass frequently featured. For racing enthusiasts, the nearby Richard Childress Racing Museum makes a perfect addition to your lake road trip, offering a glimpse into NASCAR history just a short drive from the waterfront.
Lake Mattamuskeet – Eastern North Carolina
For a truly unique lake experience, drive to Lake Mattamuskeet in eastern North Carolina, about 250 miles from Charlotte. As the state’s largest natural lake, this shallow body of water averages just 2-3 feet deep across its 40,000 acres. The journey takes you through historic small towns and past agricultural landscapes before arriving at this wildlife paradise. The lake sits within Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, making it a bird-watcher’s dream, particularly during winter migrations when thousands of swans, geese, and ducks create spectacular displays. Drive the causeway across the middle of the lake for unique perspectives and photo opportunities, with water views stretching to the horizon on both sides. The historic Mattamuskeet Lodge, with its distinctive architecture, provides a perfect landmark for photographers. The remote location means you’ll encounter fewer crowds than at lakes closer to major cities, allowing for a more peaceful communion with nature.
Lake James – Western North Carolina
A 90-minute drive west of Charlotte brings you to Lake James, where 150 miles of shoreline are set against the dramatic backdrop of Linville Gorge and the Appalachian Mountains. This pristine reservoir offers some of the clearest water in North Carolina’s lake system, making it ideal for swimming and underwater photography. Take your Easirent vehicle along the scenic roads circling the lake to discover multiple access points within Lake James State Park, including the newly developed Paddy’s Creek area with its swimming beach and picnic facilities. The drive to Lake James itself is half the experience, with winding mountain roads offering glimpses of the lake through forest clearings as you approach. Adventure seekers can drive to nearby Brown Mountain for hiking trails leading to panoramic lake views, or continue west to explore the charming town of Marion with its historic main street and local craft breweries.
Lake Waccamaw – Southeastern Coastal Region
For those willing to venture farther from Charlotte (about 200 miles), Lake Waccamaw offers a completely different lake experience in the coastal region. This Carolina Bay lake was naturally formed thousands of years ago and features unique ecological characteristics found nowhere else on earth. The drive takes you through changing landscapes as piedmont gives way to coastal plain. Upon arrival, circle the lake on State Road 214, which hugs the northern shore and provides access to Lake Waccamaw State Park. The park offers swimming areas, hiking trails, and interpretive centers explaining the lake’s unique formation and endemic species. The southern shore features charming lake houses and small communities perfect for experiencing authentic coastal Carolina culture. This lake’s tea-colored waters might seem unusual to first-time visitors, but the tannic acid from surrounding cypress trees creates this natural phenomenon while also making the water remarkably clean.
