Links and Other Information

Watauga Lake is secluded in the Cherokee National Forest near Butler, TN half way between Boone, North Carolina and Mountain City, Tennessee. Please plan in advance on what surrounding areas you plan to visit so you can accurately map the routes you will need to take. The Blue Ridge Parkway can easily be accessed between Boone and Blowing Rock, NC where it crosses Hwy 321/ 421. The Linn Cove Viaduct was designed to protect Grandfather Mountain from environmental damage from Parkway construction and vehicles, a great day trip. Backbone Rock trail and falls is a nice day trip the opposite direction thru Shady Valley. This is a mountainous area with 80% of the lake shoreline inside Cherokee National Forest. We have provided you with links that can be very helpful to you in planning your trip to the area including dining.  For NASCAR fans, Bristol Motor Speedway is only 40 miles away.  Close enough for the race, but far enough to enjoy the majestic mountain views of sparsely populated National Forest and Watauga Lake.

Watauga Lake is one of the most beautiful in the entire TVA system in Upper Northeast Tennessee.  The word "Watauga" is a Native American term meaning beautiful waters.  The lake is located in Carter and Johnson counties in upper East Tennessee.  Thirteen species of game fish including rainbow and brown trout, walleye, and smallmouth and largemouth bass inhabit the waters of the lake which is 19 miles long with 106 miles of shoreline. Roan Creek, Elk River and Watauga River feed the lake.  The lake borders the Cherokee National Forest at the southwestern end of Johnson County. At 1960 feet above sea level Watauga Lake is the highest lake in the Tennessee Valley Authority system.  It offers access to the Appalachian Trail which crosses the Watauga Dam as well as many other hiking trails.

Below Watauga Dam is Wilbur wildlife observation area where visitors have a chance to view unique species of waterfowl.  Other popular activities on the lake include swimming, jet skiing, boating, sailing, water skiing and camping.  A portion of the Appalachian Trail runs through the area, as well as several spectacular waterfalls, making this a beautiful place for hiking.  There are many area flea markets, farmers markets, antique stores and small town festivals throughout the summer months for visitors to enjoy.  Other points of interest include the Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol Caverns, Linville Caverns, Sycamore Shoals State Historical Area, Roan Mountain State Park, Rhododendron Gardens, and the Hands-On Museum in Johnson City.

Neighboring towns are Mountain City, Elizabethton, Valle Crucis, Butler, Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. The Blue Ridge Parkway and these other links are a source of useful information on the larger area.

The Cherokee National Forest site is very helpful for planning your visit to the Forest.  Each year millions of people visit Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest.  It is a place of scenic beauty that provides opportunities for anyone interested in nature and history.  The Forest stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border.  The 640,000-acre Cherokee National Forest is the largest tract of public land in Tennessee.  It lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachian mountain range, one of the world's most diverse areas. These mountains are home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals.  Because of the Cherokee's majestic mountains, tumbling streams, and diverse vegetation, recreation opportunities are plentiful.  Discover the 30 developed campgrounds, 30 picnic areas, 700 miles of trail, hundreds of miles of cold water streams, seven whitewater rivers, thousands of acres of dispersed opportunities, and abundant populations of wildlife that are here for your enjoyment.

Links for Local Boat Rentals and Adventure Guides
To ensure availability for water craft rentals make your reservation as soon as possible.
The marinas stay very busy and rentals could get booked.

Fish Springs Marina - Boat Rentals On Watauga Lake, East Tennessee
Lakeshore Resort - Boat Rentals & Restaurant
Mountain Adventure Guides - Rafting, Caving, and Climbing
Wahoo Adventure - Canoeing, Kayak and Tube tours & Bike Tours

Skiing Links

Ski Beech The Highest Ski Area In Eastern North America
1007 Beech Mountain Parkway Beech Mountain, NC
1-800-438-2093   A 35 minute drive from our rentals
Sugar Mountain
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Banner Elk, NC 28604
1-800-SUGARMT   A 45 minute drive from our rentals
Appalachian Ski Mountain
940 Ski Mountain Rd
Blowing Rock, NC
(828) 295-7828 Toll-Free: (800) 322-2373   A 45 minute drive from our rentals

Other links to visit for information about the surrounding area are:

Appalachian Trail
Bristol Motor Speedway
Grandfather Mountain
Laurel Falls
Linville Caverns
Mountain Adventure Guides and USA Raft
Property For Sale By Owner
Southern Highlands
Shopping at Tanger Outlet in Blowing Rock, NC
Tennessee Museum
Tweetsie Railroad
Tourism information for Elizabethton, TN
Watauga Point Recreation Area
Wahoo's Adventures - Whitewater Rafting

Tri-Cities Airport is the closest commercial airport about 45 minutes away in Johnson City, TN.  Other major airports include Greensboro about an hour and a half away and Charlotte about 2 hours away.  The closest smaller airport is Mountain City

The climate of the northeastern Tennessee mountains is temperate with moderately cold winters and warm, humid summers. Precipitation is fairly well distributed throughout the year; as there is no distinct wet or dry seasons.  October has the least rainfall, July the most.  Snowfall is quite variable from year to year, and some winters have relatively little.  Thunderstorms occur anytime of the year, but are most frequent in spring and summer.  Summer temperatures are rarely extreme, but the high humidity often makes it seem hotter than it actually is.  Snow is minimal in Tennessee except in the higher mountain regions.  Severe storms are infrequent in the state, being east of the center of tornado activity, south of most blizzard conditions, and too far inland to be affected by hurricanes.

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                   Dining

     Locally Operated

Captain's Table 2340 Highway 321, Butler, TN 37658, Hampton, TN, 423-725-2201
          Enjoy continental cuisine and a lovely view of the lake and mountains as you are
          served in a formal dining room.  Open Wednesday thru Sunday.

Shirley's Restaurant 3266 Highway 321, Butler, TN 37640, 423-768-2092.  Friendly
          service and home style cooking make Shirley's a local hot spot.  Open for dinner
          starting at 5 PM to 8 PM Thursday - Saturday.  Also serves a Sunday brunch from
          noon until 3:00 PM. They do not take reservations.

Suba's 2736South Shady Street, Mountain City, TN, 423-727-5657.  Open
          Wednesday thru Sunday, expect something new and fresh every time you visit!
          Johnson and Wales, two trained chefs, serve eclectic continental cuisine in a
          comfortable atmosphere.  Make sure to save some room for the cinnamon ice cream.

May we also suggest restaurants in Boone and Blowing Rock, NC.

Boone, NC area Restaurants: 

Hob Nob Farm Cafe (on business 321)
Casa Rustica Restaurant, great Italian
Dan’l Boone Inn
Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar  (Best restaurant around) 5 star rating!  828-963-7400, Reservations are a must for this dining experience.  Fine wines, beautiful surrounding, upscale.
 
These and others are right off the strip near Appalachian State University on Hwy 321 bypass.  There are many regular chains like The Peddler Steak House – Ruby Tuesday's – Applebee’s – Nakato's – Sagebrush

Blowing Rock, NC area Restaurants:
 
Blowing Rock Grille and Bert's Bar
Canyons Restaurant and Bar live music Fri/ Sat nights.  Inside and outside seating.
Outback Steakhouse
Pssghetti’s
Murphy’s Restaurant & Pub
The Best Cellar Restaurant
Twiggs Restaurant and Bar
Woodlands Barbeque

Enjoy your stay at our Watauga Lake Cabin Rentals

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