The best way to experience Fontana Lake is to kayak to the north side which is the border for the great Smoky Mountain National Park. You can park and put in at the marina and pack in food and water. Once you get past the lovely house boats to the back side where the creek comes in you can take out and find well maintained and unpopulated trails that are part of the park. They are flat and mostly hug the lake. If you don't wan to stash your kayak in the woods you can make it a day hike but if you want to hide your boats, it's a lovely in and out overnight adventure.