Lake Mattamuskeet
North Carolina's largest natural lake sits eleven miles up the road — a shallow sea of water and sky, the winter waterfowl that cover it, and the century-old lodge on its shore.
In short
Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural lake in North Carolina — about 18 miles long and only a few feet deep — sitting roughly 11 miles north of the inn off Highway 94. It's open water, cypress, winter waterfowl, and good fishing, all close to your room.
The lake is the big thing in this part of Hyde County. From the inn it's about 11 miles north, off Highway 94, and it's worth a morning or an afternoon while you're staying with us. It covers around 40,000 acres but runs only a few feet deep across most of it, so it reads more like a vast shallow sheet of water than a deep lake — water and sky for as far as you can see.
The Wildlife Drive and the refuge
The lake sits inside a national wildlife refuge. The easy way to see it is the Wildlife Drive — about three miles of road with observation platforms where you can pull over, stretch your legs, and look out over the water. In places the bald cypress stand right out in the lake, knees and all, which is a sight you don't forget. It's a slow, quiet drive. Bring a thermos and take your time.
The Mattamuskeet Lodge
Near the lake you'll see the old Mattamuskeet Lodge — a tall brick building that started life as a pumping station, back when there were schemes to drain the lake for farmland. It's a real landmark and a piece of local history. One honest word, though: it's often closed to the public, so don't plan your day around getting inside. Check ahead before you count on a tour. From the outside it's still a striking thing to see against the water.
The lake and refuge are open country with thin services. Fuel up and pack water, snacks, and anything else you'll want before you head out — there's no store waiting for you at the platforms.
Winter waterfowl
In the cold months the lake fills up with swans, ducks and geese. It's a genuine spectacle — thousands of birds on the water and in the surrounding fields, lifting and settling all day. For a lot of folks that's just beautiful winter scenery from the Wildlife Drive. For others it's the whole reason for the trip: this is hunting country, and the season brings work crews, guides, and hunters through our doors. If you're coming to hunt, see our notes on hunting near Engelhard and the game lands close by for where things stand.
Fishing and crabbing
The lake fishes well, too. People pull largemouth and striped bass, crappie, and catfish out of it. The water-control structures — the gates where the lake meets the canals — are known for big blue crab, the kind worth carrying a cooler for. Bring your own gear; out here you're best off self-sufficient, but if you need to know what's around, ask us at the front desk.
For more ways to spend your days, see our things to do page. When you've got a date in mind, book a room or call the front desk at (252) 925-2001 — a real person will pick up.
Nearby
Things to Do
Fishing, the lake, the scenic drive and the back-door route to the Outer Banks — a small place with a lot of water around it.
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The Hunt
Hunting & Waterfowl Season
Early breakfasts, late check-ins, and room for the dogs and the gear — a basecamp built for duck season.
Read more →The only hotel in Engelhard — and the closest bed to the ferry, the lake and the work. Call the front desk and we'll hold a room for your dates.
(252) 925-2001