 The fact that it is a clear water lake, situated between the Atlantic and the Gulf, with an average temperature 8–10 degrees cooler than Atlanta, surrounded by National Forest, hardly an hour south of the Smoky Mountains, assured it increasing popularity.Standing Indian Mountain (), the highest mountain south of the Smokies, lies 15 miles due north.The Lake Burton Fish Hatchery and Moccasin Creek State Park are located on the lake's west side.