There's something about an enclosed, glassy-surfaced body of water that attracts the upper crust. Perhaps it's the rustic charm, or the easy access to calm waters. Maybe it feels like possessing a backdoor entrance to paradise and not sharing the key. Bold-faced names flock to the scenic shores of Lake Tahoe for its renowned views, while mere air from Lake Como has become Italy's strangest souvenir. North Carolina has its own iteration of the high-end aquatic escape in Lake Toxaway, a 640-acre expanse
of blue, its 14 miles of shoreline lined by luxury estates and fancy accommodations, that's nestled in an Eden of wildlife and waterfalls.
Formed in the early 20th century by damming the Toxaway River, it quickly became a resort town called the "Switzerland of America," centered around the Tar Heel State's largest private lake. Nature intervened, nixing the dam and taking the blossoming tourism magnet with it. It wasn't until the dam was rebuilt in the 1960s that the elite started coming, carrying surnames like Rockefeller, Ford, and Edison. Golf courses and tennis courts, those telltale signs of elite locales, popped up. They're still there, drawing well-heeled visitors and residents to this little enclave just a few hours away from Charlotte.
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Enjoy The Rustic Charm Of Lake Toxaway
Lake Toxaway, unlike its many siblings, serves as a purely recreational lake, sans the utilitarian hum of a hydroelectric dam or stringent preserve of a reservoir. The water level never changes, creating an aquatic playground and nothing else. The resulting rustic charm attracts families and adventurers who crave luxury with a defanged natural backdrop. Mountains line the sky while streams feed the lake. Nature is ever-present in some way, but the safe cloak of civilization offers a comfortable buffer from Mother Nature's more jagged edges. Heck, there's even a country club with high-end amenities like croquet courts, a fitness center, and fine dining. While the usual aquatic fun can be had on the lake, additional adventure lies around its perimeter.
The Blue Ridge Mountains serve as the outer ring of the valley that is Lake Toxaway's home. It also contains the wilder charms of any visit. The forests and mountains fill neighboring state parks and national forests, constituting 10,000 acres of the lake's surroundings. Within those expanses lie waterfalls, scenic hikes, lush forests, and opportunities for outdoor adventure. The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, a summer road trip with mountainous waterfalls and amazing swim spots, is just next door. Just seven minutes south of the lake within Pisgah National Forest, one can find Rainbow Falls, a mesmerizing 150-foot-tall cascade of water. Those same forests and parks contain abundant wildlife, though you won't have to venture too far from the lake itself to see nature's denizens. Deer roam the fields, while wild rabbits scamper about, effectively keeping the entire cast of Bambi within reach.
The Logistics Of Visiting Lake Toxaway
Visitors planning to reach Lake Toxaway by plane should book a flight to Asheville Regional Airport, which is only 36 miles away. The closest major transit hub, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, will be easier to reach but requires nearly three hours of driving. Either way, take a little detour to Brevard, a wildly underrated, lush city with fantastic attractions that's only 20 minutes away.
The lake's accommodations run the gamut from high-end luxury estates to comparatively affordable digs. A five-bedroom, five-bath lakefront estate with access to the Country Club and marina will cost $1,100 a night. A humbler, secluded mountain home with three bedrooms and two baths will run $250 a night, with prices increasing as a property gets closer to the water. If you want to save some cash, visit outside the high summer season. Fortunately, there is no wrong time to visit Lake Toxaway. The climate remains ideal all year, with each season offering its own jewels. Fall remains a cult favorite, naturally, for its wildly changing color palette. Be sure to pack all the necessities for whatever adventure you plan.
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