Ranjit Sagar Dam — named for the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh — backs up the Ravi River into a large lake that sprawls across the borders of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. The reservoir is roughly 87 square kilometres and is one of the larger lakes in the region, surrounded by forested Shivalik hills that give it an unexpectedly scenic setting.
The dam viewpoint draws visitors for the panorama over the water and hills. Boating is available on the reservoir; local operators offer short rides near the dam. The lake is also good for birdwatching, particularly in winter when migratory waterbirds — pochards, teals, and cormorants — congregate in the sheltered inlets. The dam is about 18 kilometres from Pathankot; hire a taxi to reach it comfortably and allow an hour or two for the views and a walk along the bank.