Boat Marinas in Murphy NC on Lake Hiwassee

Mountain View Marina in Bear Paw Resort

Now that Lake Hiwassee is full of water and the weather in Murphy NC is really getting nice and warm, now is the time to be enjoying the lake! To help with that, we are fortunate to have several good boat marinas here in Murphy. Most of them are smaller, local family operations – which makes them a great place to do business!

Be sure to click the link on the name of the marina as we put more information available on them.

  • Duke’s Marina – 828-835-3332 – Located in Hanging Dog off of Joe Brown Highway, you’ll find Duke’s after you go a little ways past the Hanging Dog Forest Service Campground and Boat Ramp. They offer a boat launch, fuel, pontoon boat rentals, fishing supplies, slips, and more.
  • Shook’s Marina – 828-837-2863 – Located in the Unaka area of Hanging Dog, Shook’s offers boat slips, boat rentals, gas, food, fishing supplies, and more.
  • Mountain View Marina (in Bear Paw Resort) – 828-644-5451 – this nice marina is situated right in the heart of Bear Paw in the Hiwassee Dam Community of Murphy (west side of Lake Hiwassee). They offer boat rentals, slips, fuel, a marina store, and more.
  • Harbor Cove Marina – 828-644-0661 – Located just before you get to Bear Paw in Hiwassee Dam. They have slips, fuel, and more.

Love Lake Hiwassee and want to find real estate in the mountains of Murphy NC? Search our Listings for sale and Contact Us Today!

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – www.iLoveMurphy.comJohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call Toll Free 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496

Lake Hiwassee in Murphy NC is now FULL!

WOW! I went by Lake Hiwassee today on the Hanging Dog side today looking at a few homes and the lake is FULL! Matter of a fact, it’s more than full!

Since Lake Hiwassee generates power from the hydroelectric dam controlled by the TVA, the water level drops in the fall through winter and into the early Spring. The TVA does it for flood control purposes. Then at this time of year, they raise it to enjoy all the recreation opportunities on the water like fishing, swimming, water skiing, and more!

We’ve got our boat at Duke’s Marina now, and I’m ready to spend some time out there! See you on the lake 😀

Want to be near Lake Hiwassee? CLICK HERE to see our Real Estate for Sale in Murphy NC and let us help you find your property in the mountains!

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – www.MyMurphy.comJohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call Toll Free 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496

Lake Hiwassee View Acreage in Murphy NC for Sale!!

Lake Hiwassee View from Land for Sale in Murphy NC - See Shook's Marina!Here’s an amazing opportunity that I never see – now that says a lot! Here’s a beautiful property with the homesite cut in, 3 bedroom septic system in the ground, driveway, AMAZING multi-layered mountain view, underground utilities, and overlooks Lake Hiwassee and Shook’s Marina! It’s a rare opportunity at only $34,800.

This land is now SOLD!

John Poltrock – The POLTROCK TEAM at REMAX Mountain Properties in Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com

3/2 Cabin Home in Tarheel West for Sale – Great Home!!! US Forest Service, Creeks, Waterfalls, and 10 Minute Walk to Lake Hiwassee!!!

This home is Now SOLD!! Click here to see our current real estate listings for sale in Murphy NC.  

Try to find something like it, well, good luck! Here’s some of

the great points you can expect in this home:

 

  • +/- 7.48 Acres
  • Point in common with the United States Forest Service
  • 3 Bedrooms, Two Baths
  • Flawless Interior Decoration
  • Great Community
  • Hike to Lake Hiwassee in 10 Minutes
  • Enjoy the waterfalls, creeks/streams
  • Located in the great community of Tarheel in Murphy NC
  • Very young home built by a very reputable builder
  • and a whole lot more!

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROPERTY

Could I build another home on the property since there’s so much land? Absolutely! This property is actually comprised of 3 seperate lots put together. The other two have really good homesites on them as well. The well produces enough water to support multiple homes, so there would not even be a need to drill another well. Just go through the permitting process like you would for any other home and you’ll be able to take it from there.

Do I have to pay road or water fees? Nope. This property has its own private well and is a state maintained road almost right to the property. The road to it is paved and it has its own private driveway.

What are the taxes like? The 2008 tax bill was just shy of $1600. It’s currently done as two different parcels and you could possibly save a few bucks on your tax bill by combining the parcels for tax purposes.

How far would I be from town? Less than 5 minutes from downtown Murphy. The nice thing about this home is you’re close to town, own a lot of acreage, and are extremely private.

Where’s the waterfall in relation to the home? About a hundred yards or so away. You can sit on the back porch and listen to it.

Would it make a great rental? Absolutely. Folks tend to like uniqueness and privacy while not being in the boondocks when they rent a vacation home. This is it to a T. The owners themselves don’t have it on any rental pool, so if you would like more information about renting it out when you buy it, you can speak to our rental office to find out more information.

Are there any restrictions? Yup! They’re very basic restrictions that are designed to keep your property values up while still letting you use it. Things like no home less than 975 square feet, no mobile homes, and your dreams of owning a pig farm in the mountains is done for! 😉 You can download a set of the Tarheel West restrictions here. (It will reference a road fee but it has been eliminated since the state took over the main road in Tarheel West)

Can I see some documentation on it? Yup! Click here for the survey of the home. Click here for the floor plan. You can also get the restrictions here.

John and Jessica Poltrock – The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX of Murphy NC – Everything Real Estate in the Mountains of Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.comJohnPoltrock@gmail.comCall Toll Free (877) 837-3002 and demand the POLTROCK TEAM!

Lake Hiwassee Information – Located in Cherokee County by Murphy NC

The Hiwassee Dam began construction on July 15, 1936. being 1376 feet long, it is quite an impressive structure. You can actually drive over the dam itself on Hiwassee Dam Access Road (off of Highway 294). Now over 70 years later, the Hiwassee Lake has become the gorgeous lake that we all now know. This article has some great “technical” information about the lake that is sometimes hard to find all in one place.

Impounded in 1940, Hiwassee was originally known as “Fowler Bend.” The name was later changed to reflect the name of the river which it is located on.

According to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), it is 6,090 acres and located close to the center of Cherokee County, North Carolina (according to the Cherokee County Mapping Department, the actual lake 5,635.28 acres. With less than a 500 acre variation, that could be attributed to shoreline variations, etc.). From end to end, it is roughly 22 miles long and has over 163 miles of shoreline. There are many sections that are more than 200 feet deep! It’s quite a large lake with plenty of room to enjoy for boating and fishing. One of the most unique things about the lake is that only 7% of it has development! During the summer, the TVA targets to have the lake levels at 1515 to 1521 feet. On January 1, they shoot for around 1460. They try to maintain recreational levels from June 1st to August ST, with the exceptions of emergencies.

The lake is used primarily for power generation and regional flood control. Because of the flood control component, this is why the water level fluctuates. The TVA aims to have peak water level from June 1st through August 1st. It’s during the off season you see the water level drop 30-40 feet for flood control purposes. What’s amazing is it has an approximate flood water capacity of 3.6 billion gallons of water. One of the interesting things about the dam itself is that it has the ability to reverse flow and pump water back into the lake.

With only 7% of the land being developed, there is very little on the lake other than nature itself. The TVA transferred most of its original holdings to the U.S. Forest Service for it to be part of the Nantahala Forest, but kept lands in the Hiwassee Dam Reservation, the Micken branch area, and some land in Murphy. The majority of development on the lake is in Bear Paw Resort.

The TVA owns rights in one form or another up to the 1532 elevation, which means before you can do anything on the shoreline (dock, etc.) you must approve it with them.

For recreation, you have lots of options! There are four main marinas on Lake Hiwassee – Shooks, Dukes, Mountain View, and Harbor Cove. They provide boat rentals, fishing supplies, snacks, fuel, and much more. Not only that, the Hanging Dog Campground area has the best boat ramp on the lake. The US Forest Service offers several other boat launches that are completely free to use. Nice!

To get more information, contact the Hiwassee Watershed Team located at 221 Old Ranger Road; Murphy, NC 28906. You can call them at 828-837-7395

Looking for Real Estate? Let The Poltrock Team help you! Feel free to contact us any time, Search ALL the listings for sale in Murphy NC, or use our Dream Home Finder and let us do the work for you!

John Poltrock – The Poltrock Team – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call Toll-Free (866) 687-7496 and demand The POLTROCK TEAM at REMAX Mountain Properties of Murphy North Carolina

The Low Water Level on Lake Hiwassee

One question I have gotten a lot lately is why the water level of Lake Hiwassee in Murphy NC is 30 or more feet low. It makes it incredibly difficult to show lake front property at times like these, unfortunately, it is what it is.

I have heard speculation and confirmed it with several people close to the source (wow – I sound like a reporter!) that there is good reason it is so low. The Hiwassee Dam itself is very unique in the fact that it is capable of reversing the flow of the lake itself and pumping water back into the lake. Apparently, it drains water during the day to produce power. Then at night, it reverses the flow and pumps water back into the lake. As I found out, the dam’s mechanism that reverses the flow is in fact broken! According to sources, It’s due to be repaired sometime in October. It makes it difficult because lake front property doesn’t look the same as usual!

This picture was taken on one of the bridges on Joe Brown Highway. Many of the boat docks are totally unusable and marinas are closed. To add insult to injury, the TVA is also using the water from the Hiwassee to keep the Tennessee River flow up for transportation purposes.

On a positive note, hope for rain and next year will be better! Find the Normal rainfall in Murphy NC. Now’s a great time to be looking at lake property because some sellers might be anxious to move…. hmmm… food for thought!

johnpoltrock@gmail.com – www.iLoveMurphy.com – John Michael Poltrock – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy North Carolina, NC – (877) 837-3002 – Real Estate

My fun camping trip to Lake Hiwassee


Me and my Aunt Jenny went to Hiwassee Lake. We had a lot of fun.

We had a ride on her boat. We loaded her boat at the Hanging Dog camp ground area. I got to ride in the tube behind the boat. Me and the boys rode the tube. It was bumpy sometimes. It was very fun and fast. I fell off one time and so did Brad. Lucas fell off two times. After we were done, we were tired. We ate dinner, and then Jenny lit some fireworks. We had one that made a parachute guy fall down. There were others, but they fell into the lake. We sat and watched them and we liked them.

The people I went with were Brad, Shawn, Lucas, Lucas’s dad, Lucas’s grandpa, Aunt Jenny, and Chris. We all had a lot of fun.

Our campground was very nice. To get to it, we had to ride the boat since it was on the U.S. Forest Service land. We had a camp fire ring made out of rocks. We camped in a tent and slept on the floor in a sleeping bag. There was a big mud pit! It was filled with the squishiest mud ever! We had to get in the water to wash it off when we were done playing in it. Afterward, we went fishing. There were hardly any fish to catch. I still was able to catch one. Brad didn’t catch one. Lucas was generous enough to share his with him. Shawn caught one – it was skinny.

Early in the morning, I went fishing. I had a bite or two, but I didn’t reel in the handle fast enough. I even got to chop a tree with a hatchet.

When I left, I broke out in rashes. They were everywhere! Just a few minutes before, I was eating some little squishy tablets like Gushers. Then I played with some kind of bug. It could’ve made the rash. Aunt Jenny rushed me back to Hanging Dog where John Michael (a.k.a. Dad) picked me up and gave me Benadryl. That was the end of my trip.

Next time, I’ll have more than that, and that’s the truth! Next time, we’ll write about Florida and when I went to Disney World.

By: Katie Peacock (who’s still a Poltrock! and even a Ritz!

The Benefits and Beauty of Lake Hiwassee

Lake Hiwassee is a beautiful lake situated in the mountains of Murphy, North Carolina. Being the largest lake in Cherokee County, it offers a lot to boaters, fisherman, campers, and more. It takes up 6,280 acres and is made by dams on either end. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is the government agency responsible for regulating and maintaining its integrity.

Almost entirely surrounded by U.S. Forest Service, there is very little land available on the lake itself. In order to find a lake lot or home, you almost have to buy in Bear Paw Resort in the Hiwassee Dam area of our county. Many of the lake houses have an amazing view of the water and look on to Forest Service land on the other side of the lake. Because of that, their view will likely remain natural for our lifetimes.

Many skiers love the lake because the water is like glass most of the time. The mountains and fingers on the lake keep it smooth and prevents it from being choppy like many lakes with large open channels. It starts close to downtown Murphy and extends for 22 miles. Since it is surrounded by the Forest Service, you can camp all along the shoreline. Not only that, it is not heavily trafficked since their are very few homes on the water. It truly is a place where you can take your family and be safe, comfortable, and have a good time.

*Note* – You will find a common misspelling reading Lake Hiawassee.

You can also read our newer article with more specifics on Lake Hiwassee in Murphy, North Carolina

Enjoy Lake Time & Ice Cream Treats in Murphy, NC

There’s nothing like spending some time at a cool mountain lake near Murphy, NC. You herd the family into the car (or truck), pack a picnic lunch and some sunscreen and cold water, and get ready to chill out for the day. When you arrive, you soak up some fresh mountain air and decide whether you’d like to swim, fish, or do absolutely nothing. And sometime during the afternoon, you decide to top off this splendid day with a delicious ice cream treat. It really doesn’t get much better than this!

So, decide which beautiful mountain lake you’ll visit today. To make your decision easier, you’ll find all three lakes located along Route 294 just a stone’s throw west of Murphy, North Carolina.

CHEROKEE LAKE
Enjoy a good old-fashioned summer picnic at this scenic lakeside spot with plenty of room for everyone. Bring some sandwiches and snacks from town; or pair some grilled burgers and hot dogs with salads and cold drinks. While you dine like kings, enjoy Cherokee Lake’s serene setting, and soak up the peace and quiet.

After lunch and a quick pit stop, stroll the walking trails, or spend a few lazy hours casting your line from the dock. With a current North Carolina fishing license, and equipped a good rod and tackle, you’ll be ready to face off against those crafty, elusive mountain fish.

Directions: Take Highway 64 West, and turn right on Highway 294. Travel just a few miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 313 to enter the Cherokee Lake picnic area.

HIWASSEE LAKE

Scenic Overlook
As mountain lakes go, Hiwassee Lake is pretty impressive. This sprawling lake covers almost 6,100 acres, has nearly 180 miles of winding shoreline, and extends for a generous 22 miles. In other words, you’ll find plenty to see (and plenty of fish) there.

If you enjoy picture-postcard mountain scenery, you’ll have some stunning photo ops here. Hiwassee Lake is completely nestled in the Nantahala National Forest, and the view from the dam-area overlook is simply amazing. The lake stretches on forever, and it’s bordered by miles and miles of wooded shoreline.

Directions to scenic overlook: Take Highway 64 West, and turn right on Highway 294. Travel several miles, and look for the U.S. Forest Service sign on the right.

Water Activities
Now, let’s assume you’d like to do some serious fishing, boating, or water-skiing. Or, you’ve had enough of the hot, steamy weather, and you’d like to splash around the lake to cool off. Or, maybe you want to enjoy a picnic lunch before taking a leisurely hike through the woods. You can access those activities at Hanging Dog Recreation Area, located just an easy drive from Murphy.

Directions to Hanging Dog Recreation Area (from Murphy): Drive about 4 miles northwest on Peachtree Street, which turns into Joe Brown Highway. Look for the entrance to Hiwassee Lake on the left.

APALACHIA LAKE
If you’ve been looking for a serene, unspoiled mountain lake with amazing views, put Apalachia Lake on your “must see” list. This gorgeous 10-mile-long lake feeds into the Hiwassee River, and the Nantahala National Forest is right next door.

As the crow flies, you’re not too far from Hiwassee Lake, but Apalachia Lake has a remote character all its own. With very little shoreline development, and virtually no recreational facilities, Apalachia Lake is one of the purest mountain lake settings you’ll ever find.

If you want to enjoy some laid-back fishing, kayaking, or canoeing, you can take advantage of a convenient launch ramp. Or, you can meander through the woods on a scenic hiking trail. In other words, you make your own fun at Apalachia Lake, and you probably won’t have much company.

Directions: Take Highway 64 West, and turn right on Highway 294. Stay on 294 for quite a distance, and you’ll eventually see the Apalachia Lake turnoff sign.

ENJOY ICE CREAM TREATS AT THE SWEET TOOTH
Wrap up your lake excursion with some delicious ice cream confections from The Sweet Tooth. This incredibly popular family ice cream shop is located at 658 Andrews Road, not far from downtown Murphy, NC. During the summer season, The Sweet Tooth is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This little walk-up ice cream shop has a quirky character, and the building features lots of ice cream-y photos that you can view while waiting for your order. There aren’t any one-size-fits-all ice cream cups here – perish the thought! Instead, you’ll enjoy your own personal ice cream treat that comes with your choice of toppings. So, dig in and enjoy every bite as you reflect on the perfect ending to a great summer day at the lake.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.ILoveMurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Our Gorgeous Mountain Lakes Are Perfect for Canoeing in Murphy NC and All Around

If you take every opportunity to indulge your canoeing passion, we invite you to visit our paddlers’ paradise. With eight sizable lakes just a short hop from Murphy, NC, you can splash your boat in different waters every day of the week. With the proper clothing and safety gear, you can go canoeing no matter the time of year!

Believe it or not, you can start your canoeing adventure right in downtown Murphy. First, stop at Appalachian Outfitters on Tennessee Street, where you’ll find PFDs and other safety gear, plus helpful area maps and local knowledge. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website also provides tons of useful boating information (including launch ramp locations).

Next, explore the Valley and Hiwassee Rivers via the Murphy River Walk Canoe Trails, featuring convenient parking and several put-ins around town. What will you see on your Murphy canoe trip? Well, during the summer months, Hiwassee Lake is filled to the gills with water, which spills into these rivers and backs up into the inlets and marshes. Enjoy life in the slow lane as you drift along, spying birds, fish, and probably a few small mammals that aren’t visible from the nearby walking trails.

If your canoe naturally gravitates toward lakes, plan a trip to nearby Hiwassee Lake, offering over 160 miles of shoreline in its 22-mile length. Much-smaller Apalachia Lake is just a stone’s throw away, and it’s secluded and absolutely beautiful. To reach either lake, put in at the Hanging Dog Recreation Area boat ramp; or launch your canoe below the Hiwassee Dam or Apalachia Dam.

If you’ve gotten the itch to explore more of our regional lakes, you’re in luck: they’re all within an hour’s drive. To the north, you’ll find massive Fontana Lake, with over 230 miles of shoreline and the most impressive dam you’ll ever see. Neighboring Santeetlah Lake offers enticing coves and stunning high-elevation mountains as a backdrop. Nantahala Lake is also worth a visit, as you can ogle the high-dollar lakefront houses while you paddle along the wooded shoreline.

Next, head south to Chatuge Lake, spread equally between North Carolina and Georgia. With 130 miles of shoreline, you’ll find lots of quiet creeks where you can stop for a snack. Finally, explore Georgia’s Blue Ridge Lake and Nottely Lake, just a half-hour’s drive from Murphy, NC. Although all these lakes attract seasonal pleasure boaters, there’s plenty of room for everyone.

Boating and Fishing in Fun in Murphy NC – A Previous Post