Lake James
Large lakes with expansive mountain views are hard to come by in the Asheville area . However , just 40 miles east is the 6500 acre Lake James with 150 miles of shoreline and sweet views of the Black Mountain Range . Your best bet for recreation is the Lake James State Park which currently covers 600 acres with another 3000 + acres ( graciously donated by Crescent Resources ) opening for public use . Bring family and friends to one of North Carolina ’ s most popular state parks for a variety of activities . Go kayaking , boating , fishing , hiking , biking , running , camping , or swimming . Enjoy the beautiful forest wildflowers , abundant wildlife , and enjoy a picnic at the end of the day . For a post-adventure beer , be sure to check out the nearby Fonta Flora Brewery located just north of the state park on NC 126 . The nearby Fonta Flora Trail also offers great hiking , biking , and family recreation opportunities and is located just a few miles further on NC 126 .
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