Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area

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. Natural Features: 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. Recreation: Boaters, anglers, and picnickers all enjoy Watauga Point. There is a wooded trail on site, as well. Facilities: Watauga Point Recreation Area has one pavilion with accessible flush toilets. There are six picnic tables and two large grills at the pavilion. The shady area has five picnic tables and two grills. There is electricity at the pavilion. Nearby Attractions: 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.



Watauga Point Recreation Area

Cardens Bluff Campground is open for the 2020 season. At nearly 2,000 feet elevation, Cardens Bluff Campground is located on a peninsula overlooking the 6,430-acre Watauga Lake in Carter County, TN. There are 43 sites, primarily for tent camping. There is a bathhouse with showers and flush toilets. No electrical hookups are provided. Day use areas are located nearby for those wanting to take advantage of swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Campground Hosts are on site to answer questions and assist with your visit.

Recreation

Boating is popular for visitors to Cardens Bluff. Numerous campsites provide easy water access for kayaks, canoes and motorized boats. Swimming and fishing are also very popular activities at Cardens Bluff. Watauga Lake provides notably clean water for recreating.

Facilities

There are 43 campsites within Cardens Bluff Campground. Each section of the campground has flush toilets. In addition, there is an accessible shower house with eight showers for use by registed campers only.

Natural Features

Watauga Lake is a 6,430-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Directly across the lake from the campground is the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness area, a rugged, undeveloped mountain range with only the Appalachian National Scenic Trail within its boundaries.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby Rat Branch Boat Launch is an easy quick drive from the campground for campers with motor boats. Shook Branch Swim Area is also nearby on the shores of Watauga Lake. Big Laurel Branch and Pond Mountain Wilderness areas are located north and south of the campground for more rugged, backcountry hiking.

ADA Access: N



Cardens Bluff Campground

Boots Off Hostel & Campground

Watauga Dam Campground

Watauga Dam Tailwater

Black Bear Resort 

Dennis Cove Campground is a secluded campground along Laurel Fork Creek at an elevation of 2,650 feet in Carter County. This remote developed campground is popular with those seeking a rustic experience. The altitude, creek side location and lush forest surroundings make Dennis Cove particularly desirable during hot summer months. With 15 campsites, Dennis Cove is a great option for a group to reserve the whole campground for retreats and other events.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Recreation

Along with camping, Laurel Fork Creek is stocked with rainbow trout below the campground. Above the campground, the creek and its tributaries are managed as wild trout streams for brown, rainbow and brook trout. Laurel Fork Trail (#39) follows the creek upstream for 8.0 miles with twenty-six stream crossings. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessed via the nearby Coon Den Falls Trail (# 37).

Facilities

There are 15 single campsites, including two double sites within Dennis Cove Campground. The campground has flush toilets. Each site contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder.

Natural Features

Dennis Cove Campground is located along the beautiful Laurel Fork Creek nestled in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians.

Nearby Attractions

Trailheads for Coon Den Falls Trail (#37) and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1) are approximately a half mile west of the campground on Dennis Cove Rd. Watauga Lake is approximately 25 minutes away.

ADA Access: N



Dennis Cove Campground

Cherokee National Forest Dennis Cove Recreation Area

Misty Waters Bait & Camping

Just on the edge of Watauga Lake sits this free dispersed camping area that is perfect for tent camping only. This is a park outside the gate and walk your gear in type of place, some bring your IKEA bags or a wagon. Opportunities for fishing and boating are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, and have at least one fire ring. A handful of sites have direct water access, and are more private. 

  

There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground. Please Leave No Trace! Also, we would not recommend camping here on a busy weekend because the road is very close and the trucks are very loud! 

  

The nearest town is Butler, which is small but offers the basics such as groceries and gas.

Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area

About This Campground

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

Access

Reviews

2021 Explorer Giveaway

Beautiful & Free but Lots of Road Noise

Location

Coordinates

Nearby Campgrounds

Watauga Point Recreation Area

Cardens Bluff Campground

Boots Off Hostel & Campground

Watauga Dam Campground

Watauga Dam Tailwater

Black Bear Resort

Dennis Cove Campground

Cherokee National Forest Dennis Cove Recreation Area

Misty Waters Bait & Camping

About This Campground

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

For Campers

For Vehicles

Access

Report Content

Report Content

Location

Coordinates

Nearby Campgrounds

Watauga Point Recreation Area

Cardens Bluff Campground

Boots Off Hostel & Campground

Watauga Dam Campground

Watauga Dam Tailwater

Black Bear Resort

Dennis Cove Campground

Cherokee National Forest Dennis Cove Recreation Area

Misty Waters Bait & Camping