The Most Scenic Lake In Tennessee Is Perfect For A Year-Round Vacation
By Melissa Mahoney|Published September 05, 2022
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Spending time out in our natural world is the best way to recharge our minds and our bodies. Breathing in the fresh air, going for a hike or a swim, or taking the boat out on a gorgeous body of water are all things you can do at Watauga Lake, the most scenic lake in Tennessee. Best of all, it’s the perfect place you can vacation year-round.
Watauga Lake can be found within the Cherokee National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains. Technically a reservoir, it was damned in 1948. Today, it has the highest elevation of any reservoir in Tennessee.
This lake is approximately 10 square miles and can be found within both Johnson and Carter Counties in the northeastern part of the state. It also has 105 miles of shoreline.
Its location in the mountains as well, as the surrounding forest, makes it one of Tennessee's most scenic lakes. Best of all, Lake Watauga can be enjoyed throughout the year.
If you come here for vacation, there are plenty of accommodations. From cabins to camping, from Airbnbs to resorts, you'll easily be able to find a place to stay by the lake.
The spring, summer, and fall months bring warm enough weather for swimming. Visitors can also go sailing, kayaking, canoeing, power boating, water skiing, and more.
Fishing is also an option at this lake. It is stocked with Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, walleye, and several species of trout and bass. Just remember to bring your fishing poles!
In the winter months when the days are shorter, you can enjoy peace and quiet and gorgeous snow-covered scenery. It's a wonderful place for a getaway no matter the time of year.
Have you been to the most scenic lake in Tennessee yet? If so, what time of year did you go? Tell us in the comments. To learn more about Watauga Lake, visit the official website.