Where Heaven Meets Earth

The Heart Of The Community

Everything revolves around this grand body of water – big enough to accommodate a wide range of boating and recreational water activities, yet intimate enough to imagine it was created just for you. Located in the heart of Western North Carolina – less than 200 miles from Charlotte, Columbia, and Atlanta – the breathtaking scenery combines with the community’s authentic southern hospitality to make Lake Toxaway the perfect destination for a mountain get-away or permanent residence. This is the largest private lake in North Carolina. And it invites members and guests alike with 640 acres and 14 miles of picturesque shoreline. Having been restored in 1960 to its original 3,010 feet above sea level. It is enjoyed and admired by the men, women, and children fortunate enough to call Lake Toxaway Estates their home. Fed by multiple free-flowing mountain streams, the largest of which is the Toxaway River, Lake Toxaway is a mountain haven for swimming, skiing, sailing, and fishing. Just across its upstream dam lies Lake Cardinal at 65 acres in size, which provides additional opportunities for water-based recreation.

Fishing on the Lake

Lake Toxaway is a fisherman’s paradise. The lake is home to eight species of game fish and has no rough fish. Surrounded by picturesque scenery and with minimal boat traffic, Lake Toxaway is supplied with spring-fed waters from more than 100 streams. The lake’s surface water in the summer is normally 75 degrees – 25 feet below the surface, the temperature is 55 degrees. Each spring, the fish in the lake are provided with 1,000 pounds of minnows to ensure their good health and normal growth, a program recommended by wildlife biologists that has been ongoing for more than 20 years.

Fast Access

Area: 640 acres
Shoreline: 14 miles
Depth: 60 feet
Elevation: 3,010 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout, Large- and Small-mouth Bass, Bluegill, Walleye
Activities: Boating, Sailing, Skiing, Swimming, Fishing
Access: Private for Lake Toxaway Estates property owners

Old Hills Create Fresh Memories

The storied Blue Ridge Mountains are ancient hills, part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range that runs from Georgia to Pennsylvania. Named for their ethereal bluish hue when seen from a distance – Native Americans referred to them the “Great Blue Hills of God” – the Blue Ridge Mountains are as much a draw to members and guests as the scenic lake that gives the community its name. They have served as watchful sentry over this Western North Carolina landscape for thousands of years. Despite the vicissitudes of time, these majestic mountains remain intact. Lake Toxaway is located in a valley surrounded by Toxaway Mountain, Ravenrock Mountain, Cold Mountain, Panthertail Mountain, Little Panthertail Mountain, and Hawk Mountain. The tallest of these peaks rises to nearly 4,800 feet above sea level – 1,700 feet above the lake surface – to present breathtaking views of the rising elevation.

A Starring Role on the Silver Screen

Cold Mountain, the 1997 best-selling historical novel by Charles Frazier, was adapted into an award-winning film in 2003. The storyline was based on Frazier’s great-great uncle, who lived near the real Cold Mountain just north of Lake Toxaway.

Natural Beauty In Every Direction

Western North Carolina is known far and wide for its virgin forests, majestic mountain ranges, and ideal climate. Lake Toxaway is located in the heart of this pristine landscape, surrounded by more than 10,000 acres of national forests and state parks, four of which border the property: Gorges State Park, Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and DuPont State Forest. Just down the road lie more natural wonders – waterfalls, rivers, scenic trials, virgin forests, and more – all made accessible by the celebrated Blue Ridge Parkway. These ancient rolling hills enveloping Lake Toxaway provide a great opportunity for outdoor activities and recreation such as hiking, fishing, biking, and river adventures. After a day in the great outdoors, members and guests can explore the nearby towns of Cashiers, Highlands, Brevard, and Asheville.

Nearby National Forests and State Parks

North Carolina Waterfalls – An online guide to waterfalls in North Carolina with pictures, statistics, maps, directions, and links to other sites to help you find your favorite waterfall.

DuPont State Forest – More than 10,000 acres of forest, trails, and waterfalls between Hendersonville and Brevard, North Carolina.

Gorges State Park – Find plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls, and one of the greatest concentrations of rare and unique species in the eastern United States.

Pisgah National Forest – A land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes, and hundreds of miles of trails.

Nantahala National Forest – The largest of North Carolina’s four national forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along the Hiwassee River.

Nearby Towns As Impressive As The Mountains

Lake Toxaway enjoys a premier location in the heart of Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway – a region that is consistently picked among the top two or three areas to retire in the United States. “This location has everything you could want,” says Reg Heinitsh. “It has beautiful natural scenery, majestic mountains, our private lake, healthy streams, outstanding healthcare, and convenient access to a number of charming mountain towns.” In fact, the friendly towns of Cashiers, Brevard, and Asheville are just a short drive away.

Brevard

Less than 15 miles down the mountain, the City of Brevard is known for its natural and cultural resources. Located near the entrance to Pisgah National Forest, Brevard is often referred to as, “Land of the Waterfalls,” due to its proximity to some 250 freshwater falls in area. As for culture, Brevard boasts an extensive local music and arts community, and is home to Brevard College, a four-year liberal arts institution with nationally recognized programs in music and environmental studies. The esteemed Brevard Music Center is regarded as one of the nation’s preeminent summer music teaching and performance institutions in the country. Learn more.

Cashiers

Just 15 miles west of Lake Toxaway is the quaint town Cashiers (pronounced CASH-ers), a popular mountain vacation spot with a year-round population of less than 200 people. During the summer and fall, that number swells to nearly 20,000. Situated at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 64 and N.C. 107, the village offers shops, antique stores, casual and fine dining, seasonal festivals, and live concerts. Better still, Cashiers is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and is within earshot of several scenic areas that have been protected by the National Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. Learn more.

Asheville

There’s no other mountain town like Asheville. It’s at once intimate and dynamic. Charming and sophisticated. It has become the cultural capital of the Blue Ridge Mountains, recognized for its vibrant arts scene, array of restaurants and cafes, live music and entertainment, terrific shopping, and wide range of outdoor activities and seasonal festivals. Asheville has been named as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Places in America” by Good Morning America and “America’s Top 25 Arts Destinations” by AmericanStyle, as well as one of the “Best Places to Reinvent Your Life” by AARP Magazine. Less than an hour away from Lake Toxaway, Asheville is one destination that warrants repeated trips all year long. Learn more.

A Dynamic Medical Center Through Mission Health Systems

Lake Toxaway Estates embodies health and wellness. Our members, regardless of age, tend to lead very active lives and spend much of their time here hiking, walking, swimming, playing golf or tennis, and just basically participating in a health-oriented lifestyle. As part of our commitment to health and fitness, Lake Toxaway Company provides convenient access to Western North Carolina’s nationally recognized Mission Health Systems. Toxaway Health Center is located just a short drive from our front gates and has been serving residents of southwest Transylvania County and east Jackson County, providing convenient access to primary care services.

On-Site Emergency Capabilities

For emergencies, the Lake Toxaway Fire Rescue EMS unit is located on our property to serve our members and guests. We also have several helicopter landing locations within Lake Toxaway for emergency air-lift service to healthcare networks in Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC.

Year-Round Fun No Matter What the Season

A big part of Western North Carolina’s appeal is the enviable year-round climate: summers are comfortable, winters are mild, and fall and spring are absolutely heavenly. Each season brings its own treasures: the lush greenery of summer, the brilliant colors of fall, the snow-draped hills of winter, and the new growth of spring wildflowers. There is never a bad time to visit. No matter what your interests, Western North Carolina boasts the ideal climate for outdoor recreation – and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the shopping, dining, and entertainment of the great indoors, as well.

Weather Statistics

Average daytime high in July – 75℉
Average nighttime low in July – 55℉
Average daytime high in January – 51℉
Average nighttime low in January – 27℉
Average annual rainfall – 65″
Average annual snowfall – 15″
Driest month – October

Fall is a Peak Experience

Another highlight to life in Lake Toxaway is the amazing display of colors each fall. First come the deep reds of the early-changing dogwoods and sourwoods, followed by the yellows of the tulip poplars. Next come the multi-hued wonders of the black gums and maples, followed by the stately red oaks. The vibrant colors spread down the mountains into the valleys, before slowly fading to the vivid rust and gold of late season. With elevations ranging up to nearly 4,800 feet, the leaves in Lake Toxaway often begin to change in early October, peak in the middle of the month, and continue into November. Visit the excellent interactive map of leaf color predictions” in North Carolina at VisitNC.com or view current foliage conditions across the nation thanks to The Weather Channel.

Current Conditions at Lake Toxaway Country Club