Lake Cruises at Lake Junaluska

Explore the waterfront of Lake Junaluska while learning a little history aboard the Cherokee IV.

Enjoy a family-friendly guided 45-minute boat tour aboard the historic Cherokee IV. Learn lake history from your tour guide or just enjoy the scenery as you cruise along the water. Lake cruises open for the season Memorial Day weekend. Private cruises are are also available.

Hours
Private cruises can be booked online. Reservation information is coming soon for our fall guided lake cruises, which will be offered in mid-October. During the peak summer season, cruises are offered, weather permitting, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays typically at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m.

Pricing
Guided lake cruises are $10 per person age 6 and older and free for children age 5 and younger. Private cruises start at $350 and can be booked online.

Location
Boat tours depart from the dock behind the Harrell Center, located across from The Terrace Hotel at 710 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, N.C.

How to Reserve
Tickets to guided lake cruises can be purchased at the boat dock. Reservations for private lake cruises can be booked online.

Private Cruises
Private cruises, including sunset cruises and small weddings, are available seasonally. Private cruises start at $350. Reserve online.

Contact
To contact Lake Junaluska Outfitters, call 828-454-6776.

Reserve Private Lake Cruise

Lake Junaluska visitors take a boat tour aboard the Cherokee

Explore More Activities

Soak up the sunshine and cool off at Lake Junaluska’s outdoor lakeside swimming pool. Open Memorial Day Weekend-Labor Day Weekend, Lake Junaluska lodging guests enjoy complimentary access, and lake visitors can purchase day passes or summer activity passes.

Rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard from Lake Junaluska Outfitters and explore the lake from the water. Open daily in summer and select weekends in late spring and early fall.

Visit the Junaluska Gifts & Grounds gift and coffee shop, Christmas Memories year-round shop, golf course pro shop or small markets at our hotels during your visit.

Take in stunning mountain views surrounding the serene lake as you stroll along the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail. Along the way, you’ll see gardens and wildlife including our beloved swans and perhaps one of our bald eagles!

Enjoy a round of golf at the Lake Junaluska Golf Course. Learn more and reserve a tee time.

Play mini-golf, shuffleboard or cornhole at Lake Junaluska. Rent equipment daily during the summer from the Lake Junaluska Outfitters window near the pool.

Tennis and pickleball courts are available at no charge on a first come, first served basis. Rackets can be rented during the summer from the Lake Junaluska Outfitters window near the pool for $5 per racket per hour.

A diverse range of bird species from pine siskin to eagles soar through the air at Lake Junaluska, and the lake offers a free birding checklist as well as guided birding tours and nature walks as part of the Summer Activities Program.

Take time to unwind with a fishing pole at Lake Junaluska. Common catches include bass, perch, crappie, brim, bluegill and trout. Fishing is open to the public with a valid N.C. fishing license.