[2] The lake has many inlets into coves and many islands formed from former mountain peaks, especially near the eastern end.

Fontana Lake provides the only access into the most remote areas of the National Park, unless visitors undertake a multi-day hike to get there.

When the lake is at the normal summer level, a boat may be used to access remote trailheads such as Hazel Creek.

[3] NC 28 roughly parallels the southern shore of the lake, and US 19, between Bryson City and Wesser/Lauada, briefly skims an inlet at the extreme southeastern edge.

Fontana is named after a Montvale Lumber Company logging town that was once situated at the mouth of Eagle Creek on the lake's north shore.