Fontana Dam, NC

Fontana Dam is one of the smallest incorporated towns in North Carolina, with barely a dozen year-round residents tucked away in the rugged mountains of Graham County. Life here revolves around the monumental TVA dam, built rapidly during World War II to supply power for wartime manufacturing and the facilities at Oak Ridge. Constructing the massive structure deep in the backcountry required carving out a temporary mountain city for thousands of workers, complete with its own housing, cafeteria, and post office. After the reservoir filled and covered older valley settlements, that construction village was turned into Fontana Village Resort, which still serves as the town's central hub.

ATTRAcroterion / CC BY-SA 4.0

Today, Fontana Dam sits right on the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fontana Lake draws boaters, anglers, and paddlers, while also serving as a water-shuttle launch to remote wilderness areas like Hazel Creek. The Appalachian Trail crosses directly over the crest of the dam, making the town a favorite milestone for long-distance backpackers stopping at the trail shelter nicknamed the "Fontana Hilton." With endless water recreation, thick mountain forests, and a tiny footprint, it is a peaceful, secluded outpost built for people who love the outdoors.