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MOUNTAIN BLUE: The Top 24 Lakes in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Flying high above a gorgeous sunset at Smith Mountain Lake.

The votes are in, now it’s time to celebrate the Best Mountain Lakes in the Blue Ridge, as selected by our readers.

Best Virginia Lake
  • Platinum – Smith Mountain Lake
  • Gold – Philpott Lake
  • Silver – South Holston
  • Honorable Mention – Lake Moomaw
Best West Virginia Lake 
  • Platinum – Summersville Lake
  • Gold – Bluestone Lake
  • Silver – Spruce Knob Lake
Best North Carolina Lake
  • Platinum – Fontana Lake
  • Gold – Nantahala Lake
  • Silver – Lake James
  • Honorable Mention – Lake Chatuge
Best South Carolina Lake
  • Platinum – Table Rock Lake
  • Gold – Lake Jocassee
  • Silver – Lake Hartwell
Best Tennessee Lake
  • Platinum – Lake Watauga
  • Gold (tie) – Douglas Lake
  • Gold (tie) – Lake Ocoee (Parkville Lake)
  • Honorable Mention – Norris Lake
Best Georgia Lake
  • Platinum – Lake Blue Ridge 
  • Gold – Lake Rabun
  • Silver – Lake Nottely
Best Kentucky Lake
  • Platinum – Lake Cumberland
  • Gold – Dale Hollow Lake
  • Silver – Paintsville Lake
Lake Cumberland, Kentucky.
Lake Cumberland, Kentucky.

About Our Mountain Blue Reader Survey: The winners above were selected by our readers in online voting that took place in early 2020. Our thanks to our readers for their time, expertise and knowledge in the voting. Please click here to view the rest of the winners!

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