About Watauga Lake Area
Water recreation is abundant in this area, featuring Watauga Lake; the Doe, Elk and Watauga rivers; several streams and seven waterfalls. Highly developed recreation areas along Watauga Lake provide facilities for fishing, picnicking, swimming and boat launching. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail runs through the area's backcountry. Camp on the lakeshore at Cardens Bluff or in the backcountry along Laurel Fork Creek at Dennis Cove. - [Watuaga Lake Area Map](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5262823.pdf) - [Watuaga Lake Area Guide](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5275539.pdf)
- Managed by: Cherokee National Forest
- Where: 4 mi southeast of Butler, TN · 36.32096, -81.97887
Things to do:
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Apr–Oct (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Nov–Feb.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Good to know
Verizon 4G · T-Mobile 5G
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way is clear overhead but fades toward town glow.
Class 4 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Propane: 12.2 mi
Nearest of each within 25 miles, straight-line.Camps nearby
- Little Stoney Creek Campground 5.3 mi
- Mountaineer Campsites 7 mi
- Upper Laurel Fork 7.5 mi
- Cardens Bluff Campground 7.7 mi
- Campsite · 4 mi NE of Valley Forge 8.3 mi
- Dennis Cove Campground 8.6 mi