Lake Chatuge is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in both North Carolina and Georgia with lots to explore.
Camping, hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, scenic drives, sunsets and more can be enjoyed on Lake Chatuge in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Continue reading to learn more about my recent adventure in Murphy, NC, on our way to Lake Chatuge. As well as what it’s like to camp on Lake Chatuge.
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Panther Top: An Easy Hike in Murphy, NC
Panther Top is an old fire tower location that is still in use today when fire levels are high. Built in 1940, the tower was not added to the National Historic Lookout Register until 1997. The purpose of registered fire towers is to preserve their history and maintain them for current and future use as needed. When you visit Panther Top, keep in mind that you cannot enter the tower platform. However, the stairs are still open so you can get a better view of the surrounding area.
Hiking up to Panther Top is fairly easy. It’s all uphill but it’s a very gradual climb up the old service road. If you start as close as possible, the hike will be just over a mile and a half round trip. But I’ve read that in the winter, the bottom gate is closed so you’ll have to hike even further up the road from further down the mountain making it a roughly two and quarter mile round trip hike. There’s limited parking available at both spots so try to visit earlier in the day or on a weekday if you can. Also be aware that there’s a shooting range nearby so you’ll probably hear some gunshots on your hike.
The almost 360 degree view from the top is worth the hike no matter how long it takes. You can even see Lake Hiwassee in the distance. Panther Top is located in Murphy, NC, and is only a ten minute drive from the main road, U.S. 64/74 East. The drive up is not too rough or steep, but be mindful that the last bit is gravel.
Grab Lunch at Oasis Taqueria
If you know me, you know that I love eating local food whenever I can. Well, this authentic taco truck has to be some of the best local food you can get on your way to Lake Chatuge if you’re traveling through Murphy, NC. The Oasis Taqueria serves Mexican street tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. They also have homemade drinks like horchata and lemonade.
I got the chicken Mexican street tacos and lemonade and can say it’s very delicious. I highly recommend stopping by here if you find yourself passing through Murphy, NC. In fact, it’s right beside the main road. Please note, there’s picnic tables outside but no indoor seating. Also, they take cash only.
Lake Chatuge
Lake Chatuge was formed by the Chatuge Dam built by TVA in 1942. Its purpose is to aid in flood prevention. Chatuge was named after a nearby Cherokee settlement which is suspected to mean “meeting of the waters.” I asked a local how it’s pronounced and he told me “shah-too-g. Like the sound of rushing water.” Amongst all the information I’ve found, I cannot quite confirm the reason behind the lake’s name. But I can definitely verify that Lake Chatuge is in two states. It sits halfway in North Carolina and halfway in Georgia.
Jackrabbit Mountain Campground
Jackrabbit Mountain Campground is is in the perfect location on Lake Chatuge. And I will say, I was not expecting what we experienced.
Campsite
The campsite I chose ahead of time and reserved online was campsite 88 on Loop C. Loop C is the last circle in the back of the park which has been created on a peninsula on Lake Chatuge. They offer campsites inside the circle as well, but I chose one that was lakeside. Although we were lakeside, we still had a somewhat steep, little walk down to the water’s edge. But the views are spectacular. Note that some sites in other loops of the campground have more direct lake access.
Our campsite had a parking space right beside the road. There are a flight of stairs though to get down to the site itself. This makes it more private and secluded which we liked. We also noticed that there’s little connecting paths between sites if you wanted to camp with friends but still be separated.
Amenities
One thing that’s hard to tell online when you make your reservation is the exact location of the restrooms. We just got lucky because our site just so happened to be directly across from them! Although there’s no soap or paper towels in the restrooms, there’s flushing toilets, toilet paper, hand driers, and a small trash can. I will note that there’s nice showers too. I read that they have hot water for the showers, but noticed there was no hot water in our bathroom that we used. Also, these restrooms are single stall so I imagine they create lines during the busy months of summer.
Now something that I wish I had known ahead of time but didn’t is what to expect here overall. I thought we would check-in at an office when we arrived but there is no such thing here. I also wrongly assumed that we could buy firewood when we got settled in. This is the first campground that I’ve personally stayed at that doesn’t sell firewood. We did learn that you can buy some from the local gas station for a pricier option.
Overall Camping Experience
Overall, we had a good camping experience. I was disappointed with the lack of firewood and communication about that when I made my reservation. As well as little things like the bathroom not having soap and being the only place on site with a trash can. But these factors did not ruin our trip. I will say though, we learned a valuable lesson. Make sure other campers have reservations nearby. We were basically alone on Loop C and got a little creeped out by the quietness this created and the loudness of the surrounding wildlife.
But we still had a pleasant time. Nothing beats the stroll down to see the lake views first thing in the morning. And the overall location of this spot. We came for fall colors but I could see this being a great place to camp in the summer. There’s a beach, lake access, and plenty to do in the summer here focused on Lake Chatuge. So, we might come back one summer to enjoy this spot again.
In Closing
I definitely recommend this trip if you just need a little, outdoor weekend getaway near Chattanooga. This is part one of two for this adventure. Be sure to watch the video and check back next week for the finale of this trip. Until then, enjoy exploring Chatt!
More Mountain Camping Locations:
- Smokemont Campground in the Smoky Mountains
- Mount Mitchell in North Carolina
- Fall Creek Falls on the Cumberland Plateau
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