Largest lakes & reservoirs in North Carolina by shoreline length
The length of the exterior shoreline around a lake is measured at the lake’s normal elevation. The shoreline length can be considerably shorter or longer when lake water levels are lower or higher than normal. A lake with many coves has a much longer shoreline than a lake of similar surface area that is nearly circular in shape.When known, the shoreline miles that we report in our statistics include only the lake’s exterior shoreline, and exclude the shorelines of islands located within a lake’s boundaries. In lakes with many islands, those islands’ combined shorelines may exceed a lake’s exterior shoreline.
You can find many of the world’s longest-shoreline lakes on LakeLubbers. Note: For some lakes, "Longest Shorelines" data is unknown or does not apply, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 45 articles we have published for North Carolina lakes.
Thinking about booking a North Carolina lake vacation home rental, cabin or hotel?
Use our free interactive vacation rental map to search and compare multiple vacation properties at a glance. Enter a lake name, a state or city and then simply click on a listing to compare all similar properties, best rates and availability for your dates.Search results: Sort lakes by miles of shoreline
Below are lakes within USA > US South Region > North Carolina > Compared by longest shoreline length in miles. This list does not represent all lakes in North Carolina, only the 45 North Carolina lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name | Shoreline length in miles | Lake description |
---|---|---|
Roanoke Rapids Lake (North Carolina, Piedmont Region, NC, US South Region, USA) |
47 mi | Often overshadowed by its better-known neighbor Lake Gaston, Roanoke Rapids Lake offers a quieter and less crowded spot for recreation. The third rese … |
Harris Lake, NC (North Carolina, Piedmont Region, NC, US South Region, USA) |
40 mi | Also known as Shearon Harris Reservoir Harris Lake, stretching its watery fingers out over 4,100 North Carolina acres, was created by Carolina Power and Light by impoundment of Buckhorn Cre … |
Lake Mattamuskeet, NC (Coast Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
40 mi | 40,000-acre Lake Mattamuskeet is located in North Carolina’s Coastal tourism region. Although the lake averages only 2-3 feet deep, it is one of the m … |
Lookout Shoals Lake (North Carolina, Piedmont Region, NC, US South Region, USA) |
27 mi | Also known as Lake Lookout, Lookout Shoals Reservoir Lookout Shoals Lake is a lakefront living gem in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. The 1,300-acre reservoir is known affectionately as Lake Lookout to … |
Lake Glenville, NC (Mountains Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
26 mi | Also known as Thorpe Reservoir, Glenville Lake Nestled among the forests and mountain peaks of southwestern North Carolina lies the highest lake east of the Mississippi, Lake Glenville (aka Thorpe … |
Lake Lure, NC (Mountains Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
21 mi | Snuggled into the emerald mountains of western North Carolina, Lake Lure’s 720 acres sparkle in the sunlight. Clean water, beautiful scenery, and rura … |
Nantahala Lake, NC (Mountains Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
20 mi | Also known as Lake Nantahala Nantahala Lake is one of the most pristine lakes in North Carolina. Located within the Nantahala National Forest at an elevation of 3,012 feet, the 1, … |
Lake Toxaway, NC (Mountains Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
14 mi | Tucked away amidst the ancient Appalachian Mountains is the largest private lake in North Carolina – Lake Toxaway. Lake Toxaway, spanning 640 acres, w … |
Lake Waccamaw, NC (Coast Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
14 mi | Lake Waccamaw in southeastern North Carolina is estimated to have formed around 250,000 years ago, although the exact origin of its formation is uncer … |
Lake Royale, NC (North Carolina, Piedmont Region, NC, US South Region, USA) |
11 mi | Also known as Lake Sagamore Situated in the plains, valleys and gentle hills of North Carolina’s Piedmont region is a private lake resort community called Lake Royale. As its nam … |
Bay Tree Lakes (Coast Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
7 mi | Canals reminiscent of Venice weave through the private community of Bay Tree Lakes in the Coastal region of North Carolina. The manmade canals connect … |
Cedar Cliff Lake (Mountains Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
5 mi | Nestled within the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountains, Cedar Cliff Lake is one of North Carolina’s most picturesque bodies of water. It is thin and elongat … |