Cliffside Lake & Van Hook Glade

Enjoy the Mountains Around Cliffside Lake & Van Hook Glade

Surrounded by Nantahala National Forest just outside Highlands, North Carolina, Cliffside Lake Recreation Area and Van Hook Glade Campground offer a relaxing mix of camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and mountain scenery.

Spend the night beneath the trees at Van Hook Glade, cool off at Cliffside Lake, explore nearby forest trails, enjoy a picnic by the water, or simply slow down and take in the quiet mountain setting.

Whether you are staying for a weekend or visiting Cliffside Lake for the day, the two recreation areas make it easy to enjoy several outdoor activities in one trip.

Camp at Van Hook Glade

Van Hook Glade Campground offers 18 wooded campsites for tents and small RVs in a quiet setting within Nantahala National Forest.

Each campsite includes a picnic table, tent pad, and fire ring, while campground facilities include flush toilets and hot showers. The heavily wooded campground provides plenty of shade and a peaceful place to relax between outdoor activities.

Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is located nearby, allowing campers to combine an overnight stay with swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnicking during the day.

Visitors should review their campsite information before arriving, particularly when traveling with an RV or trailer, since equipment and parking limits vary by site.

Swim at Cliffside Lake

Cliffside Lake provides a designated swimming area surrounded by forest and mountain scenery.

The small mountain lake offers a refreshing place to cool off during warmer months and can be easily combined with a picnic or hike through the surrounding recreation area.

There is no lifeguard on duty, so visitors should swim according to their abilities and supervise children closely around the water. Weather and water conditions can change, so leave the lake if thunderstorms, lightning, or other unsafe conditions develop.

Boating is not permitted on Cliffside Lake.

Go Fishing

Cliffside Lake offers fishing opportunities in its calm mountain waters.

Anglers may find trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill, making the lake an option for both experienced anglers and families looking to spend some time fishing during their visit.

A fishing pier provides additional access to the lake, while other fishing opportunities can be found throughout the surrounding Nantahala National Forest.

Anyone planning to fish should review current North Carolina fishing license requirements, seasons, limits, and other regulations before arriving.

Explore the Forest Trails

Cliffside Lake Recreation Area provides access to several established hiking trails ranging from shorter nature walks to longer routes through the surrounding forest.

Trails around and near the recreation area include options such as the Cliffside Loop, Cliff Top Vista Trail, Skitty Creek Trail, and connections toward Ranger Falls.

The short Vanhook trail also connects Van Hook Glade Campground with the Cliffside Lake area, allowing campers to reach additional recreation without moving their vehicle.

Trail surfaces, grades, and conditions vary. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear, bring water, and review current trail information before beginning a longer hike.

Visit Ranger Falls

Visitors looking to add a waterfall to their hike can explore the trail system leading toward Ranger Falls.

The route travels through the surrounding forest and provides another way to experience the streams, mountain terrain, and temperate rainforest environment found around Cliffside Lake.

Conditions may include roots, rocks, mud, elevation changes, and slippery surfaces after rain. Stay on established trails and avoid climbing on wet rocks or entering areas where conditions appear unsafe.

Enjoy a Picnic by the Lake

Cliffside Lake offers several picnic areas where visitors can relax, share a meal, and enjoy the surrounding forest and lake scenery.

Two covered picnic shelters are also available and can be reserved for family gatherings, groups, and other permitted activities. Shelter reservations are separate from the regular day-use parking fee.

Visitors should keep picnic areas clean, properly dispose of food and trash, and follow current fire and recreation-area rules.

Relax Along the Cullasaja River

Van Hook Glade is located directly across Highway 64 from the Cullasaja River, one of the defining waterways of the surrounding mountain landscape.

Visitors can enjoy views of the river, listen to the moving water, or include nearby river and waterfall scenery as part of a longer trip through the area.

Use caution around moving water, wet rocks, steep banks, and roadside areas. Water levels and currents can change after heavy rainfall.

Look for Wildlife and Seasonal Scenery

The forests surrounding Cliffside Lake and Van Hook Glade provide habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and a variety of native plants.

The area’s higher elevation and moist mountain climate create lush forest scenery throughout much of the operating season. Visitors may notice spring wildflowers and fresh greenery, shaded summer forest, and colorful foliage as temperatures cool in fall.

Bring binoculars for casual bird watching or a camera for landscape and nature photography. Wildlife should always be viewed from a safe distance and should never be approached, fed, or disturbed.

Join a Program or Seasonal Event

FIND Outdoors offers seasonal nature programs and educational activities at Cliffside Lake and Van Hook Glade.

Depending on the date of your visit, programs may focus on wildlife, forests, water, outdoor recreation, or other topics connected to Nantahala National Forest and the surrounding mountain environment.

Programming changes throughout the season, so visitors should review the current FIND Outdoors event calendar before arriving. Some activities may require advance registration or additional information.

Continue Exploring the Highlands Area

Cliffside Lake and Van Hook Glade are located only a few miles from Highlands, making them easy to include in a larger Western North Carolina mountain trip.

Nearby destinations include Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, the Bartram Trail, Highlands Nature Center and Botanical Garden, downtown Highlands, and additional trails and scenic areas throughout Nantahala National Forest.

Highway 64 through the Cullasaja Gorge also provides access to memorable mountain and waterfall scenery, though visitors should expect winding roads, changing weather, and limited shoulders in some areas.

Cliffside Lake and Van Hook Glade offer more than a place to camp or spend an afternoon. Together, they provide opportunities to swim in a mountain lake, hike through Nantahala National Forest, cast a fishing line, enjoy a picnic beneath the trees, and experience the natural scenery surrounding Highlands.

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