Lake Powhatan
Address:
375 Wesley Branch Road
Asheville, NC 28806
About Lake Powhatan
Lake Powhatan is just 10 miles from Asheville and offers a refreshing change from the city. The reservoir is located entirely in the Pisgah National Forest and is highly sought after. It has a population of over 1,000 people and an average annual rainfall of 1.5 million gallons. The 13 hectare lake was created to ensure recreation, fishing and conservation of species and to provide drinking water to the local people.
Lake Powhatan has nearly 100 campsites with different amenities and even accommodates some large campers. The sandy beach is ideal for children, while the densely wooded campsite offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and nearby mountains. Lake Pow Hatan is surrounded by forest and is located just off the popular Blue Mountain Parkway, a short drive from Asheville.
Since this small lake does not allow boats of any kind, the peace and quiet is undisturbed and instead fishermen fish in the clear waters.
A special trout fishing permit is required for anglers, but non-campers can enter the lake for fishing and swimming for a daily fee. There is an accessible jetty and fishing spot along the coast near the dam, and it is an easy and pleasant walk.
The area in western North Carolina is steeped in history and the lake is named after Chief Powhatan, who is considered the father of Pocahontas. Indian folklore in much of the South, he has a common theme: The cradle of forestry, the Biltmore Forest School, was the first forestry school in the United States to be founded over a hundred years ago. The school was founded and is still in operation today, with more than 1,000 students and over 200 teachers and staff.
Biltmore Forest School played a major role in formulating the U.S. Forest Service, and the Forest Service operates several campgrounds in the area. The campsite by Lake Powhatan is just a few kilometres from the cradle of forestry, which has a campsite with picnic area, picnic tables, fireplace and other amenities. Also nearby is the Pisgah Visitors Center, located at PisGah Rangers Station, which offers guided tours.
The surrounding trails attract thousands of visitors each year, and the Pisgah Trail System, the largest network of trails in the United States, stretches for more than 1,000 kilometers, attracting hundreds of kilometers of hiking and biking trails.
The Bent Creek Experimental Forest is a popular spot for mountain bikers, with trails that are easy to reach from Asheville and of varying difficulty. Visitors to Lake Powhatan Campground can stroll through the many colourful and interesting garden exhibitions featuring a wide variety of plants and animals as well as many different animal species. There are many hiking and biking trails in the area, such as the Pisgah Trail System and Pine Ridge Trail.
The Bent Creek Experimental Forest is a popular spot for mountain bikers, with trails that are easy to reach from Asheville and have varying levels of difficulty.
You can ride all day along many of the connected trails or organise guided mountain bike tours in the surrounding area.
Because so many mountain bikers use the routes at weekends, the trails in this area are closely monitored and the trails can be crossed at any time of the day or night. Hiking is common in the autumn colors, which is a good time to hike and cross-country skiing on the many hiking trails.
Bent Creek itself is a popular destination for trout fishermen, as it is home to one of the largest trout streams in the United States.
Driving to nearby waterfalls is also a popular side trip, and driving to nearby canyons is one reason why Lake Powhatan campgrounds are so popular. Almost every visitor to Lake Powhatans will want to visit and explore the many picturesque and historic sites in and around the town of Bent Creek. The privately run country house on the outskirts of the town has the opportunity to see the numerous visits of most of the inhabitants of the place.
Nearby is the town of Bent Creek, a small town with a population of just over 1,000, and a few other small towns and villages.
Asheville offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars, shops and restaurants in the River Arts District. The River Art District is the ideal place to view locally created art, as well as a great place for concerts and other outdoor events.
Craft breweries are numerous and popular, and not all purchases are expensive, but Asheville has its fair share of quality restaurants, bars and shops.
Asheville is home to a number of professional theater productions, some of which are offered by the NC Stage Company.
Asheville is home to the College of Arts and Sciences of North Carolina State University and the University of Asheville.
Although the mountain landscape around Lake Powhatan is rich, there is no shortage of accommodation, and everyone will find at least one favorite to delight their senses. Festivals are held throughout the year, but for a complete list of festivals and events in Asheville, North Carolina, USA, click here.
Plan a visit to Lake Powhatan to swim in the cool waters, enjoy the many hiking trails in the area and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and the lake itself. Real estate is available in Asheville, North Carolina, USA, for $1,000 per person or $2,500 for a family of four.
Official statistics for Lake Powhatan are not available, but statistical information comes from sources not listed on commercial websites such as the National Park Service.