Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Hayesville, North Carolina · on Chatuge Lake · Nantahala Purchase Unit
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5.00 per vehicle
- SEASON
- May
About Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area is a U.S. Forest Service campground and day-use site on a peninsula of Lake Chatuge, a TVA reservoir in the Nantahala National Forest near Hayesville, North Carolina. Its swimming hole is an official, seasonally operated (May-September) designated swimming beach with sandy shoreline, and the water is monitored weekly for E. coli by the nonprofit MountainTrue, a reassuring detail for anyone sizing up Chatuge as a lake to swim in.
The recreation area sits on a wooded peninsula jutting into Lake Chatuge, a 6,950-acre, 130-mile-shoreline TVA reservoir in the southern Appalachian foothills of Clay County, NC, reached via US-64, NC-175, and Forest Road 248/SR-1155 from Hayesville.
Swimming at Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Swimming happens at a designated, sandy-beach swim area on the reservoir shoreline, roped off from boating traffic, with an accessible fishing pier nearby; it suits families and casual lake swimmers rather than open-water or whitewater enthusiasts, and water quality is actively monitored (passed EPA E. coli thresholds roughly 95% of the time per weekly 2026-season testing).
How to get to this swimming hole
From Hayesville, take US-64 east about 6.2 miles, then NC-175 south about 2.5 miles, then follow SR-1155/Forest Road 248 into the recreation area (address given as 465 Jackrabbit Road).
Parking: Paved parking lot near the beach and restrooms; a $5 per-vehicle day-use fee is charged separately from camping fees and paid at an on-site fee collection station.
The hike in
Not a hike-in swim spot: the beach is a short, level walk from the adjacent parking lot. A separate short walking trail also connects the campground loops to the beach for campers not parked at the beach lot. (Note: the recreation area separately has a 2.4-mile Jackrabbit Mountain hiking trail and 9+ other named trails on the peninsula, but none of these leads to the swim area itself - they are mountain biking/hiking loops elsewhere on the peninsula.)
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Designated, roped-off sandy-beach swim area on a large grassy lawn, ADA/handicap accessible per Swim Guide, with a fishing pier nearby; visitor reviews describe teenagers and families swimming directly off the adjacent campsites/shoreline with no reported hazards. No lifeguards are on duty (USFS page states 'your safety is your own responsibility'), and no official source describes water depth or drop-offs at the swim line, so supervise children directly.
Parking
Paid, $5 per vehicle/day
Large paved day-use parking lot next to the swim beach; the $5 per-vehicle fee is charged separately from camping fees and paid at an on-site fee collection station (includes registered campers).
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are located near the beach parking lot (per Swim Guide), and the campground has separate accessible flush toilets and hot showers; a picnic pavilion and fishing pier are adjacent to the swim beach.
Hours
Beach/day-use area open 9am-9pm (USFS page cites 6am-10pm for the broader day-use area) seasonally May 1 - September 30; closed October 1 - April 30.
On the water
The USFS page confirms 'motorized boating access to the lake' via an on-site boat ramp, and jet skiing is mentioned as a lake activity. No source specifically confirms or restricts kayak/canoe/paddleboard use at the designated swim beach itself (they would presumably be roped off from the swim zone like other craft, but this was not stated explicitly in any source), so kayak/canoe/paddleboard are left out of the allowed list rather than assumed.
What regulars say
Camper reports from recent seasons (2021-2025) describe direct, easy lake access from Loop A campsites, with one visitor noting '15 year old boys... had the best time in the lake, which was right at the campsite,' and another praising being able to camp 'right next to the lake with our own access to swim.' No reports were found that specifically discuss water clarity or crowding levels.
Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest: FAQ
Does Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest charge a fee?
$5.00 per vehicle daily for day-use/beach access (not included in camping fees); camping is $20/night (single site) or $40/night (double site) per the USFS page.
Is Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest kid friendly?
Designated, roped-off sandy-beach swim area on a large grassy lawn, ADA/handicap accessible per Swim Guide, with a fishing pier nearby; visitor reviews describe teenagers and families swimming directly off the adjacent campsites/shoreline with no reported hazards. No lifeguards are on duty (USFS page states 'your safety is your own responsibility'), and no official source describes water depth or drop-offs at the swim line, so supervise children directly.
Do I need to hike to reach Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
Large paved day-use parking lot next to the swim beach; the $5 per-vehicle fee is charged separately from camping fees and paid at an on-site fee collection station (includes registered campers).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
The USFS page confirms 'motorized boating access to the lake' via an on-site boat ramp, and jet skiing is mentioned as a lake activity. No source specifically confirms or restricts kayak/canoe/paddleboard use at the designated swim beach itself (they would presumably be roped off from the swim zone like other craft, but this was not stated explicitly in any source), so kayak/canoe/paddleboard are left out of the allowed list rather than assumed.
When is the best time to visit Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
May through September (the beach and swim area are closed October 1 - April 30); campground loops B and C stay open into October.
What are the rules at Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
Pets are prohibited at the beach, picnic area, swimming area, and parking lot; alcohol is prohibited throughout the recreation area including the beach, campground, and boat ramp.
What water body is Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest on?
Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest is on Chatuge Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Hayesville
★ Top verifiedTimpson Cove Beach
Clayton, Georgialake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
★ Top verifiedLake Rabun Beach Recreation Area
Lakemont, Georgialake
⛺🚤🛶
★ Top verifiedCheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Robbinsville, North Carolinalake
⛺🛶🚤
★ Top verifiedTallulah Falls Beach
Tallulah Falls, Georgialake
⛺🛶🏄
★ Top verifiedMorganton Point Recreation Area
Morganton, Georgiareservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Indian Boundary Recreation Area
Tellico Plains, Tennesseelake
⛺🛶