Lake Wylie

Created in 1904 when the Catawba River was dammed, Lake Wylie has 325 miles of shoreline, stretching from Mecklenburg to Gaston County in North Carolina to York County in South Carolina. Towns near the lake include Belmont, Mount Holly, Tega Cay, Fort Mill and Rock Hill, the Steele Creek area of southwest Charlotte and the unincorporated area of York County called Lake Wylie.

The greater Lake Wylie area has seen tremendous growth over the past few decades as a desirable area to enjoy a tranquil lifestyle close to the lake with easy access to all the amenities of Charlotte.

As the population in the Lake Wylie area has grown, shopping centers have popped up, including RiverGate, Kingsley and Charlotte Premium Outlets.

Located off Hwy. 49 in Steele Creek, McDowell Nature Preserve covers 1,132 acres along the shores of Lake Wylie, including a boat launch, nature center, playground, seven miles of trails and 20-acre Copperhead Island.

The Buster Boyd Bridge straddles the state line, connecting southwest Mecklenburg with Lake Wylie. For lakefront dining right by the bridge, head to Papa Doc’s Shore Club, where you can grab a burger or seafood, sip on a cocktail and watch the boats pass by.

During the summer, YMCA Camp Thunderbird attracts kids for overnight camp on the shores of Lake Wylie, where you’ll see them enjoying the great outdoors – skiing, sailing, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding and going down the massive inflatable slide that’s visible from the Buster Boyd Bridge.

Near Lake Wylie, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, providing 178 nonstop flights to destinations throughout the world. RiverWalk Plantation is a new neighborhood along the shores of Lake Wylie just west of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Also in both North and South Carolina, Carowinds is an amusement park with dozens of attractions, from kiddie rides to thrilling roller coasters, and a water park that’s open during the warmer months.

For access to Lake Wylie, there are a number of marinas, including Lake Club Marina, Tega Cay Marina, Harbortowne Marina, Pier 49 Marina, Tailrace Marina, McLean Morningstar Marina, Pier 88 Yacht Club, River Hills Marina, Long Cove Resort & Marina and Commodore Yacht Club.