Lake Santeetlah is a 3,000-acre reservoir in the mountains north of Robbinsville, formed by Santeetlah Dam on the Cheoah River. It is one of the more beautiful of the many mountain lakes in this part of North Carolina — deep blue, ringed by forested ridges, and surprisingly uncrowded even in summer. Boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming are the main activities.
The lake holds good populations of bass, trout, and walleye. A public boat ramp and a small marina provide access; kayak and canoe rentals are available nearby. The shoreline road offers scenic driving, and several points along the lake have informal swimming spots. The lake is named from the Cherokee word meaning "blue water among the treetops."