How booked is WATAUGA POINT RECREATION AREA?
as of July 24Weekends book out well ahead here — 3 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Sep, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch WATAUGA POINT RECREATION AREA and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
About this campground
Overview THERE IS A WATER LEAK AT WATAUGA POINT AND THE FLUSH BATHROOMS ARE CLOSED. ANTICIPATED REPAIR DATE IS ON OR BEFORE END OF DAY 7/28/26. TEMPORARY BATHROOMS ARE IN PLACE. IF YOU WANT TO CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION, FEEL FREE TO DO SO AND SUBMIT A REFUND REQUEST FOR A FULL REFUND. Watauga Point Recreation Area is open for the 2026 season. 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. 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 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. 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. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (423) 735-1500. 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.
Getting there
From Elizabethton, take US 19E/321 south for five miles to Hampton. Turn left on US 321/TN 67 south for six miles, then turn left into Watauga Point.
Activities
- WATER ACCESS
- BOATING
- CANOEING
- FISHING
- HIKING
- KAYAKING
- NON-MOTORIZED BOATING
- SCENIC DRIVE
- STAR GAZING
Nearby federal campgrounds
Never miss an opening at WATAUGA POINT RECREATION AREA
Popular Tennessee campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch WATAUGA POINT RECREATION AREAaround the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.