If your goal for the day is to hit the water, then you're in luck pretty much all over the Tar Heel State. Of course, a trip to the coast yields access to 322 miles of coastline with access to the Atlantic Ocean. But what about the rest of the state? As it happens, North Carolina is flooded with recreational lakes. There are 22 of them in the Coastal Plain alone and scores more throughout the state. Plus, there are several printing, remote lakes in North Carolina. But if you're really seeking a day away from the tourists or even the busy lakes filled with locals, Hiwassee Lake in North Carolina is a great option!

Hiwassee Lake near Murphy is a stunning, pristine, undeveloped gem.

What makes it remote if it's near Murphy? The remoteness of Hiwassee Lake is found in its general location which puts it as far west as a lake could possibly get without entering Tennessee.

And what an absolutely stunning lake it is!

It's 6,000 acres and was formed in the 1930s when the Hiwassee Dam was built for flood control and power generation.

At its deepest point, the lake's depth is just over 300 feet. The average depth is 147 feet.

In total, the reservoir is 22 miles long and features almost 167 miles of undeveloped shoreline. In short, the mountain vistas here are stunning and the lake is an outdoor lover's dream.

If you have a boat you'd like to launch, there are several boat ramps located all around the lake. Hanging Dog Recreation Area is a local favorite.

It's located just five miles from Murphy and has two ramps so the wait time, if any, is shorter.

Hanging Dog Recreation Area includes lakeside picnic tables, a picnic pavilion, a fishing dock (pictured), hiking trails, restrooms and...

A nearby history lesson by way of an 1800s cemetery that had the good fortune of being placed on top of a very high knoll - a knoll that did not get flooded when the reservoir was filled in the 1930s!

If you want to rent a vessel for the day, there are several marinas on the lake with lots of options.

Mountain View Marina and Harbor Cove Marina are both found on the western shore of the lake. While Shook's Marina and Duke's Hideaway Marina are located on the eastern shores of Hiwassee Lake.

What does a day on the water look like to you?

Spend it on one of North Carolina's most remote lakes: Hiwassee Lake.

Check out this overview of the Hiwassee Dam:

Ever visited Hiwassee Lake in North Carolina? We'd love to hear all about it in the comments! Hiwassee Lake isn't the only must-visit lake in the state. Lake Phelps just may be the most beautiful lake of them all!