Nearby Campgrounds
§ 02 — OVERVIEW
Watauga Point Recreation Area will open for the 2026 season on 4/6/26. PLEASE NOTE: The bathrooms are CLOSED and WINTERIZED for the season, and will open up on 4/6/26 weather depending. Watauga Point Recreation Area is located on the southern shore of Watauga Lake in Carter County.
Large shade trees scattered throughout grassy areas provide a park setting for picnicking and sunbathing. In addition to picnic facilities, there is a lake and a gravel trail that loops through the nearby forest.
Boaters, anglers, and picnickers all enjoy Watauga Point. There is a wooded trail on site as well.
Watauga Point Recreation Area has one pavilion with electricity, a shady area, accessible flush toilets, and several other picnic tables and pedestal grills spread throughout. There are six picnic tables and two large grills at the pavilion. The shady area has five picnic tables and two grills. The pavilion and shady area are both reservable. Please make sure you are reserving the right thing (either the pavilion or the shady area) when making your reservation.
At more than 1,900 feet in elevation, Watauga is the highest reservoir in Tennessee. This scenic 6,400-acre reservoir is managed for flood management, power generation, aquatic ecology and recreation. Watauga Point overlooks the reservoir and the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness Area on the opposite shore. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (423) 735-1500.
Both water-based and land-based recreation activities abound near Watauga Point Recreation Area. Forest Service facilities within three miles include Cardens Bluff Campground, Rat Branch Boat Ramp, and Pond Mountain Shooting Range.
§ 03 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 04 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 05—08 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 06 — REVIEWS
§ 07 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 08 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
§ CONTACT
Sign the ledger to file a review.
Sign in to add your own photos.
No community photos yet — be the first to share one from your visit.
Trip Reports
0 reports
§ 01 — VITALS
Verizon
Based on FCC availability data. Actual signal may vary in remote terrain.
Today
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
10 to 15 mph W
Jun
83°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 to 10 mph W
Sat
85°F
Sunny
0 to 5 mph W
Sun
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 to 5 mph S
Mon
84°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 15 mph W
Tue
84°F
Chance Rain Showers
5 mph NW
Wed
85°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 to 5 mph NW