About Watauga Lake

Elizabethtown, Tennessee

Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Watauga Lake is located near Elizabethtown, Tennessee. Johnson City is under 45 miles away, and the Tennessee-North Carolina border is nearby.

The Tri-Cities Airport is under 55 miles away, and the Johnson County Community Hospital is under 25 miles away.

Residents can shop at the Pioneer Village Shopping Center or enjoy the numerous local restaurants, including Monsoon Thai & Exotic Foods and Watauga Lake Mercantile.

Large and in Charge

Covering 6,430 acres with almost 105 miles of shoreline, Watauga Lake stretches through Johnson and Carter County.

Watauga Lake has several public and private boat launches available. Aside from boating, you can do numerous water-based activities, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, and water skiing.

Anglers can enjoy catching an abundance of freshwater fish, including walleye, black crappie, and smallmouth bass.

Around the Lake

Watauga Lake has a public beach available to use, as well as multiple picnic and camping areas.

The Cherokee National Forest is nearby, with hiking, waterfalls, and trails to explore.

The Appalachian Trail also crosses Watauga Lake, offering the perfect opportunity for avid hikers to experience one of the best-known hiking trails.

The Watauga Lake Winery, a local stop on the High Country Wine Trail, offers a tasting experience of local wines, including some from the nearby Villa Nove Vineyards.

Stateline Drive-In offers the classic drive-in movie experience, showing family-friendly movies at reasonable prices.

Visit Johnson City

Johnson City is nestled in the foothills of the scenic Appalachian Mountains and has big-city amenities, small-town Southern charm, and world-class outdoor recreation.

If you're looking for more outdoor fun, the city has so many options to do so. Residents and tourists enjoy boating, caving, cycling, disc golfing, fishing, hiking, exploring numerous parks, walking trails, and visiting waterfalls.

For those traveling with children, the city has plenty of fun activities to interest them. Top attractions include Bright’s Zoo, The Gray Fossil Site, and Hands On! Discovery Center.

Of age residents and visitors can explore the nightlife scene and grab a drink at popular breweries, including Johnson City Brewing and Yee-Haw Brewing.

Other popular attractions are the International Storytelling Center, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Rocky Mount Living History Museum, and Appalachian GhostWalks.

Why Watauga?

Watauga Lake offers a plethora of on and off-the-water experiences and is a great place to enjoy the wonders of lake life.

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