Watauga Lake Tennessee

June 2011

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2008 - present
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

Watauga Lake is just 45 minutes from Boone and is one of the best kept secrets in the area. This TVA lake was created in 1948 to provide flood control and electricity generation for the area. More recently, The TVA has made commitments to keep lake water levels sufficient (when possible) for sustainable recreation.

Hiking and Boating

If you own your own boat there are public boat ramps off of Highway 321. If not, rent a pontoon boat, speedboat, jet ski, kayak or canoe at Mallard Cove Marina, Fish Springs Marina or Lakeshore Marina. (See links below or click here for more information.)

The Appalachian Trail winds along the west end of the lake and actually crosses Watauga Dam. Click here to learn more.

Public Marinas with Campgrounds

There are several marinas with campgrounds along Highway 321, the road from Boone along the south side of the lake. Pioneer Landing (shown in the photo below provided by owners Dan and Deanna Livorsi) is a private campground and marina with year 'round camper sites available.

Further west are Mallard Cove, Fish Springs Marina and Lakeshore Marina and Cabins. All are just of 321, reasonably priced and staffed with friendly staff and owners. See links below or click here to learn more.

Rental Cabins and Inns

There are no hotels on Watauga Lake but there are many great rental cabins, inns, lodges and beds & breakfasts. The Sugar Hollow Retreat and the Iron Mountain Inn are great places to start in your search. While neither are directly on the lake, both offer spectacular grounds, premium lodging and memorable views. Both are within minutes of the lake.

There are many great rental cabins and houses on the lake, from cozy bungalows to large homes for groups. Most are right on the water and offer access to local docks. Several offer websites for information about selecting a cabin. See links below or click here to learn more.

Restaurants

Dining at the lake is strictly casual. Offering fine dining in a casual atmosphere with spectacular views, the Captain's Table on the western end of the lake is worth the drive.

Most of the public marinas offer sandwiches and other lunch and breakfast food and, on the eastern end of the lake, the Dry Hill General Store is the place to go. It is not on the lake but its restaurant, general store and hardware store are the meeting place for locals and visitors alike. See links below or click here to learn more.

Watauga Point Recreation Area

One of the beat locations for enjoying the lake for the day is Watauga Point Recreation Area. Just off Highway 321, this park offers picnic tables, restrooms and beaches for sunning and swimming. It is a great place to set out in your canoe or kayak.

Click here to learn more.

The Watauga Dam

The Watauga Dam gates were closed in 1948. Before then, the town of Butler Tennessee was taken down to its foundations and moved to its present location on Highway 67, just off the lake.

The lake is approximately 250 feet deep at the dam and you can boat right up to it or walk across it on the Appalachian Trail. Click here to learn more.

History of Watauga Lake & Butler TN

There is in the town of Butler a special place. The Butler Museum has been noted as one of the best small historical museums in Tennessee. The town of Butler was sacrificed for the building of the dam and the lake. Some of the citizens left the area and some relocated to a nearby farm that was to become the new Butler, Tennessee.

Because of the orderly move, many artifacts remain from the town now known as "Old Butler" and you can find them in this museum. Your guide is likely to be someone who was there and whose family had to make the move. Click here to learn more.

Real Estate

Over half of the shoreline of Watauga Lake is public land, much of it in the Cherokee National Forest. Of the remaining private land, much of it is below the 1,980 foot elevation line. You are not allowed to put a permanent structure below this line.

Therefore, selecting real estate at the lake can be tricky. There are several local real estate firms with local knowledge to get you started. Your guide is likely to be someone who was there and whose family had to make the move. Click here to learn more.