Outdoor & Recreation

Watauga Lake

The local name of the Watauga Reservoir created by the Tennessee Valley Authority with the 1948 completion of the Watauga Dam. Fed by the Watauga and Elk Rivers, the lake has an average depth of 52 feet, and covers 10 square miles of a valley that was once the town of Butler, Tennessee. It is stocked by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Administration with Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and more. The Cherokee National Forest surrounds Watauga Lake in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed. The original town of Butler, Tennessee, now sits at the bottom of Watauga Lake.“New” Butler was relocated to higher ground above the summer pool edge of the TVA reservoir. According to lake expert Holly C Ward, Watauga Lake is the third cleanest in the country. More than half of Watauga Lake’s shoreline lies within the Cherokee National Forest and cannot be developed. Recreational uses include boating, fishing, water-skiing, and camping. There is no horse-power limit or speed limit for boats operating on the lake. Several fee-based public and private boat launch ramps provide access on the Hampton side of the reservoir. The release of impounded water from both TVA Watauga Dam and TVA Wilbur Dam provides additional downstream river recreational opportunities such as whitewater rafting, trout fishing, and kayaking on the Watauga River, and several Cherokee National Forest recreation areas are located along its shores.

Cardens Bluff Campground

Boasting 40 sites, Cardens Bluff Campground looks out over Watauga Lake. Opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating in the pristine waters of the Watauga Lake are located nearby. Access to the campground is located right off of Highway 321 in Carter County.

Frost Bite Race

Sail boat enthusiasts hit Watauga Lake on New Year’s Day to take part in the Frost Bite Sail Boat Race, which takes it name from the frigid conditions that can sometimes be expected on the lake at that time of year.

Jones Falls

Jones Falls is on a small tributary of the Elk River and during the winter months is a sight no less impressive than Elk River Falls. It is located just inside the Carter County line between Roan Mountain and Elk Park, N.C.

The falls are located about 1.7 miles from the Elk River Falls parking area.

The waterfall drops 100 feet down the rocks in many different directions.

A good portion of the hike to the falls is through the woods on the old forest road with not much scene. Once you reach the river, it is a beautiful area which takes you through a grassy meadow and along the river. The path to the falls will take hikers a short distance on the Appalachian Trail before reaching Jones Falls.

It can be a great hike if you combine it with a hike to Elk Falls.

Dennis Cove

Located in Hampton, the Dennis Cove Recreation area is a campground and picnic area nestled beside Laurel Fork Creek. The secluded campground is ideal for camping during the summer months due its altitude and forest surroundings. With 15 campsites, Dennis Cove is a great option for a group to reserve the whole campground for retreats and other events. Along with camping, Laurel Fork Creek is stocked with rainbow trout below the campground.

The Blue Hole is a series of four waterfalls located on Holston Mountain in the Stoney Creek community of Carter County.

The falls’ name, Blue Hole, comes from the deep blue pool in front of the third waterfall, which is the main fall in the series.

Nestled in the crags of Holston Mountain, the Blue Hole Falls are an outdoorsman’s treasure.

The falls also feature a swimming hole, popular with local residents in the summer.

The Blue Hole is located at the base of Holston Mountain near Stoney Creek. It’s reached by turning on to Panhandle Road off Hwy 91. Shortly after the pavement turns into a gravel Forest Service road, there is a small parking area on the left. Walk down the hill and you can’t miss it. This is a popular local gathering spot in the summer and best visited at off peak times. For an adventurous drive, the gravel road will take you to the top of Holston Mountain which reaches 4,285 feet.

The main falls at The Blue Hole

Watauga Dam Campground

Located in Carter County, the Watauga Dam Campground is located on the Watauga River far from heavy vehicle traffic. The campground has 29 RV sites, some located right on the river making it perfect for fishing trips.

Watershed Bike Trails

Ranging from easy to difficult, the Watershed Bike Trails in Hampton are perfect for riders of any skill level. The bottom loops are ideal for novice and intermediate riders, while more seasoned riders can hit the challenging upper loop known as The Cat’s Pajamas. The trails cut through forests that open to beautiful river and mountain views.

Coon Den Falls

Located in the Dennis Cove area of the Cherokee National Forest, a steep and rocky trail follows Coon Den Branch for nearly 1.5 miles to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The 15-foot cascading falls lie halfway up the trail and are best viewed after the leaves begin to fall.

To reach the falls, at Hampton turn left onto Dennis Cove Road for approximately 4.2 miles passing the Dennis Cove Appalachian Trailhead on the left. Continue on Dennis Cove Road for .3 miles to trailhead on right.

It is a relatively short trail (1/2 mile) and is moderately difficult. The trail is .6 miles past the trailhead/parking area for Laurel Falls.

Ripshin Lake

A much smaller nearby lake that is not part of the TVA system is located 6 mi (9.7 km) SW of Roan Mountain. Although this is not the place for a family outing or a picnic, it is a wonderful place to drive through and admire the scenery. This peaceful but restricted area is almost completely privately owned land and is patrolled periodically by local owners. However, a main road passes within just a few feet of the lake and especially in the fall of the year, lends itself to some incredible photo opportunities. The road parallels “Roaring Creek” which is a beautiful mountain stream that winds down the mountain with one small waterfall after another. The creek cannot be seen in the summer due to the foliage but when the leaves fall, the views are spectacular.

Laurel Falls

Most people who frequent Dennis Cove are there to hike to Laurel Falls or to go to the Dennis Cove Campground. It is one of the most visited areas in the Cherokee National Forest. Located in the designated Pond Mountain Wilderness, Laurel Falls is popular with hikers because of its immense size — 40 feet wide and 50 feet high. The falls are also located in a very picturesque setting.

The hike to the falls can be challenging, but very refreshing on a summer afternoon.

There are two preferred routes for reaching the falls: either by way of the nearly 5.5 mile Hampton Blueline/ Laurel FallsTrail (#501) combined with a hike along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1), or the more moderate route along the Appalachian Trail from Dennis Cove (approximately 2.6 miles roundtrip.)

The hike to the falls is rated moderate and the trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and camping and is best used from May until December.

Twisting Falls

Twisting Falls is located in the Elk Mills area near the border of Carter County with North Carolina. It is a popular place to visit in the summer. It is estimated to be at least 30 feet high, but some put its height much higher.

The falls are also known as Compression Falls or Twisted Falls.

The trail to and from the falls is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May to October. It is one of the more remote trails in the county and is hard to find. It has a very challenging descent to river.

The falls can be reached by turning right onto Poga Road, just before US 321crosses Elk River. After a right turn on Clawson Road, the falls can be reached by turning right on Dark Ridge Road, which ends in a dirt road and a parking lot to the falls.

For those who love rugged hiking and climbing over rocks, the hike to Twisting Falls will prove challenging, but also picturesque.

Carter County is criss-crossed with numerous hiking trails, including some of the most beautiful and challenging sections of America’s crown jewel, the Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachian Trail in Carter County winds along the Tennessee/North Carolina border and over 6,285-foot Roan Mountain before descending to Watauga Lake at 1,959 feet. After crossing 318-foot-high Watauga Dam, it heads up the spine of Iron Mountain, with breathtaking views of the lake almost 1,500 feet below. It’s challenging, and hikers must be prepared for long, steep climbs and descents, rough terrain, and rapidly changing weather in the high elevations. Snow has been recorded in every month on Roan Mountain, where temperatures falling into the mid-30s in mid-summer are not unheard of. But the reward is some of the most spectacular scenery on the entire trail, including a visit to Roan Mountain’s world famous Rhododendron Gardens.

Of particular interest to long-distance hikers, the village of Roan Mountain is now an Appalachian Trail Community! You’ll find a warm welcome, good food, a comfortable bed, hot showers and everything else a foot-sore traveler needs.

Tennessee’s stretch of the A.T., with its sun-dappled forests, broad unobstructed balds and high elevation summits carpeted in native grasses, helped inspire the Trail’s congressional designation as a National Scenic Trail.

There are 94 miles of the A.T. in Tennessee, but the trail runs along the Tennessee/North Carolina border for 160 additional miles. As the trail ascends to the High Country of the state line, hikers traverse the highest mountains along the Trail, including several above 6,000 feet. The hike from Carvers Gap to Roan High Knob on the trail is a moderate two-mile round trip and features the highest shelter on the trail. To reach the trail, take Highway 19E from Elizabethton to the village of Roan Mountain, turn right on Route 143 to Carvers Gap, which has a parking lot on the TN/NC border. Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge is a moderate 5.2 round trip and mostly follows the Appalachian Trail. Grassy Ridge is the largest open bald in the Roan Highlands and branches of the Appy Trail.

The Roan Highlands is noted as one of the most scenic regions of the Southern Appalachians. Other trails in the Highlands include the Overmountain Victory Trail, Yellow Mountain, Hump Mountain, Little Hump Mountain, and Roan High Bluff.

Perhaps one of the more scenic sections of the Appy Trail follows the shore of Watauga Lake to the Watauga Dam. The trail travels over the top of the dam affording views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

To travel this part of the trail, take 19E from Elizabethton to Hampton, turn left at Hampton on Highway 321 to Watauga Lake and Shook Branch Picnic Area.

Not all of Carter County’s hiking is so strenuous, though, and hikers of all skill and fitness levels will find a trail to enjoy. Many quiet walks through the woods and along mountain streams await you. There are plenty of access points, campgrounds and back-country camping areas, and hiker-friendly services are readily available.

The Hinkle Branch Trailhead leads to 36 miles of interconnected trails (old road beds, single track trails, and Forest Service gated roads). Large, easily accessible parking lot. Directions: Elizabethton, TN off Highway 91. Heading away from Elizabethton the trailhead is just past Unaka Elementary School. Look for the large brown Forest Service trailhead sign on your left. Other trails include a six-mile long gated road with approximately two miles of single-track connector trail. Parking for about five trucks and trailers is available. There is also a connector to the Little Stoney Creek Jeep Trail (ca. 3 miles long).Directions: From Elizabethton, take Highway 91 towards Stoney Creek, look for the large brown Forest Service sign which directs you to turn left onto Rainbow Circle.

Doe River Gorge offers outdoor family adventures

Doe River Gorge, located in Hampton, has a historic ring to it as many years ago the beloved Tweetsie traveled the gorge on its way to Roan Mountain and western North Carolina. Today it is owned and operated by Doe River Gorge Ministries and is located along the Doe River.

River Gorge Ministries is a Christian organization that invites guests to leave the pressures and business of the world behind by offering outdoor camps for all age ranges. At over 370 acres, Doe River Gorge offers plenty of space for adventure-based activities as well as summer youth camps and leadership retreats.

The property includes a 4.9 mile hiking trail which is open to the public from October until March. Additionally, permission to hike the trail must be obtained prior to the trip from Doe River Gorge Ministries. Each person (or family) will need to fill out and sign a visitor release form and drop it off in the train mailbox at the front of the offices.

Doe River Gorge includes over one mile of railroad track and an antique steam engine, 40 acres of pastureland, cabins, a zipline, a riverfront recreation area, a vertical challenge course, horse arena, sand volleyball court, paintball, rifle range, and climbing tower, among other things.

Scenic rail trips into the Doe River Gorge are part of summer Day Quest Saturday programs. Also, fall excursions are also usually popular with leaf peepers. A corn maze is generally popular with locals during the month of October.

The gorge is also open for hiking and fishing, however, guests must check-in. To hike there you will need to plan your visit during the Doe River Gorge Ministries’ off-season from October to March, and you will also need to call ahead for permission and to sign a waiver at the main office, which you will drop off in a kiosk outside of that office.

The hiking trail is the railway of the historic ET&WNC Railroad, and is considered an “easy” hike. The trail includes two tunnels in the Doe River Gorge. Not only does this hike provide amazing views of soaring cliffs and a whitewater river, but it has historical railroad significance, along with tales from bygone days. It is an easy five-mile round-trip that can be enjoyed by beginner and expert hikers alike.

The trail (which is the railroad) begins at the small lake near the main office. From here, you’ll simply follow the tracks into the gorge, almost immediately entering one of the two tunnels on this hike.

However, hiking in the Gorge does have its challenges.

The Doe River Gorge section is extremely rugged and seated deeply between Cedar and Fork mountains in Carter County. The cliffs on the south face of Cedar Mountain are vast, imposing, and elevated. And the twisting river down in the ravine below flows along large rocky cascades with rapids and waterfalls. It is an exceptionally picturesque area. When you hike in this gorge, you’ll gain a great appreciation of what an amazing engineering feat it was to carve a rail line through this rugged area, especially in the late 1800s. The 2.5 miles of trail have several very large retaining walls, two tunnels, man-made gaps with high rock walls and an enormous old trestle.

Railroad enthusiasts will also enjoy walking along the narrow gauge rails that once carried trains full of iron ore through the gorge on their journey between North Carolina and Northeast Tennessee. Add in some fall colors, and this hike is a winner for beginners and seasoned hikers alike.

For fishing, the Doe River is stocked annually. A Tennessee fishing license is required as all Tennessee waterways are state property, even when they flow through private property.

Joe LaPorte Recreation Facility

Elizabethton Linear Path

The public can take in the sheer beauty of Elizabethton by walking the Elizabethton Linear Path. The roughly sixmile path spans from East Side Elementary to Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. The Linear Path follows the scenic Doe River through the heart of Elizabethton and follows the Watauga River westward downstream to the historic area. The path features great fishing spots, bike racks, picnic tables and benches.

The City of Elizabethton’s Joe LaPorte Recreation Facility is a 3.9-acre facility that is home to the Olympic-size Franklin Pool, acres of grass area for lounging and two covered pavilions inside a gated facility. Franklin Pool features two diving boards with the pool and a newly-constructed splash pad. The pool opens Memorial Day weekend and closes in the fall. Pavilions are for rent by contacting the Parks & Rec department.

Elizabethton Golf Course

A treasure for any sports enthusiast is the Elizabethton Golf Course.

Located on Buck Van Huss Drive near the west end of the City of Elizabethton, the 18-hole, par 72 course, spanning 6,470 yards allows patrons to experience the natural beauty of the community while fulfilling every golfing need. The facility, owned by the City of Elizabethton and operated by Hampton Golf, offers a variety of needs for any golfer. Elizabethton Golf Course offers a fully-stocked Pro Shop, practice amenities and regularly serves as a hub for various fundraising activities within the region.

A rail-trail that follows the former ET&WNC (“Tweetsie”) Railroad rightof-way for 9.5 miles. It begins at Alabama Street in Johnson City and continues east through Elizabethton and the city’s downtown. It ends on Stateline Road near the Betsytowne Shopping Center. The trail has a compacted stone surface, a relatively flat grade, and crosses seven bridges. Along the way, travelers can rest and enjoy its beautiful, natural surroundings on several benches. A “trail extension” stretching all the way to Roan Mountain carries on from the end of the “Tweetsie” at Hatcher Lane in Elizabethton. Parking is available in Johnson City at the Memorial Park Community Center, Cardinal Park, and the Municipal and Safety Building (City Hall). In Elizabethton, parking is available at Elizabethton High School.

Elizabethton/Carter County Historical Train Exhibit

The glory days of the railroad in Carter County and Elizabethton are told through the stories of the North American Rayon Steam Engine, the Tweetsie boxcar, and a caboose from the Southern Railway. The ET & WNC Railroad (Tweetsie) operated in Elizabethton from 1881-1951; the Southern from 1911-1940 ; and the NAR Steam Engine from 1936-1992. The Elizabethton/Carter County Historic Train Display is a tangible reminder of an era when the railroad played a prominent role in the economic development of the community -when lumbering, mining, and rayon were vital industries.