Watauga Lake

About Watauga Lake

In 1942, TVA impounded Elk River, Roan Creek and Watauga River to create this 6,430-acre lake. Nestled between Big Laurel and Pond Mountain wildernesses, the deep blue waters and beautiful mountain vistas set the stage for fishing, boating and water skiing. A network of developed sites including boat launches, picnic areas and a campground are provided by the Forest Service. Hike the Appalachian National Scenic Trail #1 to follow the west and north sides of the lake. In late spring, listen for yellow-throated warblers and vireos at Rat Branch Boat Launch and Watauga Point Picnic Area.

Plan Your Visit to Watauga Lake

Heading to Watauga Lake? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)