Cliffside Lake Recreation Area
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area
4
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The area
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Best nearby
Restaurants
43 within 3 miles
Attractions
26 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
52 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
21
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Teedoff3
10 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
We planned a family birthday picnic for our 4 year old grandson over Labor Day Weekend at this U. S. Forest Service Recreation Area. We paid our $5.00 per car fee and placed ID card in window of our car. We hauled our chairs & coolers/ food to the lake swimming area. We had a lovely picnic planned. We were shocked that there was a big sign on the building that stated we could not use the EMPTY picnic tables right next to the swimming area. We were told we must drive around the lake to other side where other tables were located. We ended up eating our picnic off a Bench!!! Someone in management of this area needs to be held accountable!! I found this to be ridiculous!! I will post the photos of the perfectly empty picnic tables. This ruined our picnic.
Written September 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer V
Jacksonville, FL22 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
This lake and park was recommended by the store clerk in the hiking store in town. We took a couple of fishing poles and had a great time walking the lake trail, fishing, hanging out on the beach, catching the water salamanders, and swimming. This is a good place to go if you are looking to take a break from sightseeing for a couple of hours and just "hang out". It's a beautiful stocked lake. Worth the couple of dollars to get in.
Written June 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david c
1 contribution
Jun 2019 • Couples
My wife and I did this trail last year and were pleased. It was beautiful and quiet in the forest, and do-able even for people in their late 60's like us. However, we did it again today and it was a BAD experience. Lots of downed trees, and slippery muddy spots made the hike tedious and treacherous, and when we finally got to the falls, a huge tree had fallen across the river just where you would have stopped to look at the falls. We could not stop and sit and enjoy the falls. We had to turn around and go back. Took us three hours to get there and back, and we were exhausted by all the ducking and skirting downed limbs and muddy spots. Very disappointed that the park service has not cleared the debris from last winter's storms. We will not be going back.
Written June 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas D
Birmingham34 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
This recreation area has many miles of trails, ranging from easy to more difficult. A beautiful lake, with trout fishing as well as picnic areas are available.
Written November 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica M
Belmont, NC5 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
We spent 6 days camping at the adjacent Vanhook Glade campground and thoroughly enjoyed the recreation area. We fished almost daily, our young kids (5 and 7 yrs), easily completed the beautiful trail that loops around the lake. We loved the campground, one of the best we've ever stayed at! We fell in love with Highlands, NC!
Note: try to book a campsite close to the bathroom. Keep a lookout for snakes and bears. Know what to do in case.... Ranger falls can't be easily seen during the summer and is a huge hike to reach. The river on the other side of 64 from the campground is super beautiful. Loved our whole experience.
Note: try to book a campsite close to the bathroom. Keep a lookout for snakes and bears. Know what to do in case.... Ranger falls can't be easily seen during the summer and is a huge hike to reach. The river on the other side of 64 from the campground is super beautiful. Loved our whole experience.
Written June 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rainygurl
Atlanta, GA30 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
We had no idea what to expect, but pulled in with our 2 teens and dog and payed the $4 day fee. We really enjoyed it! They had clean changing rooms and we all changed and hopped in the lake. Small but clean swimming area. We walked around the lake and our dog was able to wade it. People were fishing in a few locations, and there were good spots to picnic. Overall a beautiful place.
Written June 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoHill
Atlanta, GA43 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
The old-timey feel reminds me of the camp in ‘The Parent Trap’. I love the CCC look of the park, lots of well-constructed wood and stone and pavilions and a nice bath house. All tucked tastefully in the shade and around the lake. The hiking trails aren’t that well marked, but fun to explore. Several pieces of information indicate Ranger Falls is .5 miles but it’s probably closer to 1+ mile. We had to turn around and never saw it, but a few weeks later accessed it from the old ranger station on Flat Mtn Road (which was less confusing). The lake loop is probably the most enjoyable, easiest, and clearly marked trail. I wouldn’t go there just for hard core hiking, but it’s beautiful spot for picnicking, exploring, see the lake, etc.
Written February 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
norme-ormond
Ormond Beach, FL2,208 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Every year we make a trip to this lake to do a little fishing because it is occasionally stocked with trout. It is never real crowded in the spring and a quiet peaceful place to relax. There is also a swimming area, which is probably fun when the water is warmer. The lake is on the top of a mountain near the Highlands, NC
Written May 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M H
Charlottesville, VA72 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
This is a short walk around a lake. It's level, so there isn't really any opportunity to get your heart rate up (unless you run). But on Sunday morning when you don't want to get sweaty before the drive home, it's perfect.
Written May 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl P
Franklin, North Carolina, United States18 contributions
Just really liked it. Very peaceful. Good fishing and my three kids loved it there. i had heard alot about it and wasn't disappointed.
Written March 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
All the National Parks were shut down during the government shutdown. Not only did trails not get cleared, but fire prevention and firefighter training was stopped. This summer could be a bad one.
Written June 13, 2019
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