Welcome to Lake Junaluska, NC
Your Smoky Mountain Retreat
The still, serene waters of Lake Junaluska, North Carolina are nestled in a scenic Smoky Mountain valley about 27 miles west of Asheville in the heart of Haywood County. Several vacation homes and two hotels, the Lambuth Inn and The Terrace, surround this picturesque lake and offer a chance to recharge your mind, body, and soul. A leisurely stroll along the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail that surrounds the calming waters offers priceless views, while just a few deep breaths of our crisp mountain air from the back porch of your vacation home is sure to help ease any tensions you bring with you.
You can definitely expect a re-energizing retreat when you visit Lake Junaluska. But for those activity-seekers in tow, there’s plenty of adventure to be discovered here, too! An 18-hole course awaits for golf fanatics—and there’s mini-golf for aspiring link-lovers. Bring the fun off solid ground and out onto the water with our robust watersports—a pool, kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes offer wet and wild fun. Or opt for a peaceful boat tour around the lake.
If you’re in need of a meditative recharge (let’s be honest, who isn’t right now?), come uncover our enchanting Smoky Mountain sanctuary.
CENTRALLY LOCATED TO ALL WESTERN NC HAS TO OFFER!
Lake Junaluska is only 13 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National park and 11 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus, a 27-mile drive east brings you to Asheville, NC. What we’re trying to say is this: there’s no better place to stay than our mountain oasis located smack dab in the middle of the Smokies.
The other mountain towns that call Haywood County home are nearby as well, and simmering with adventures: Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Canton, and Clyde. And just 10 minutes from our waters is the Blue Ridge Parkway, the best drive in America.
Explore Our Region
- 9 Minutes → Waynesville
- 13 Minutes → Maggie Valley
- 35 Minutes → Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- 29 Minutes → Asheville
History Fun Fact
Before it was a scenic getaway spot for travelers in need of some relaxation, Lake Junaluska wasn’t a lake at all. In 1913, the Second General Missionary Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church began convening at a new auditorium built right beside Richland Creek, which was being dammed to create a new mountain lake. More and more people began visiting and soon, the Lambuth Inn was built. It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
