Watauga Lake, the third-cleanest lake in America, beckons water enthusiasts to Tennessee, just 45 minutes from Boone. Once there, you can enjoy a powerboat ride, picnic or just spend a few relaxing hours by water's edge.

In an area known for whitewater rafting, Watauga Lake allows visitors to slow down and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Cherokee National Forest and Appalachian Mountains of Northeastern Tennessee.

Created in 1942 by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Watauga Lake is located east of Elizabethton and southwest of Mountain City.

 Marina - State Park - Resort - Boat Dock

Lakeshore Resort & Marina
Come to Lakeshore Resort & Marina for all your aquatic needs. Rent ski boats, fishing boats, pontoons and ski equipment for a reasonable price, then head out on the water for a fun-filled day.

If you're hungry after a long day on the water, pull up a chair at the Captain's Table, Lakeshore Resort & Marina's restaurant with a breathtaking view of the lake. Captain's Table specializes in seafood and also serves tasty steaks, chicken and specials of the day such as prime rib, crab cakes, barbecue ribs, seafood platter and fresh fried oysters.

If you're tired, take a load off in one of the resort's one- or two-bedroom motel units or secluded cottages complete with television sets, air conditioning, comfy beds and private balconies. There's even a swimming pool.

Come to Lakeshore Resort & Marina and make a weekend out of your visit to Watauga Lake. Call (423) 725-2223 or (423) 725-2201 for more information.

MountainLake Wilderness Resort and Wilderness Ranch
Enjoy a year-round log cabin vacation at MountainLake Wilderness Resort. The log cabins sleep six people each and offer air conditioning, heat, fireplaces, satellite TV, phones and fully equipped kitchens. The resort also features luxury hotel rooms. Some cabins and rooms also accept pets.

For larger groups, Wilderness Lodge also has five-bedroom cabins that sleep as many as 20 people.

Nature lovers will enjoy the resort's hiking trails, exotic animal farm and picnic pavilion with bonfire area. The animal farm is home to buffalo, antelopes, deer, llamas, yaks and more.

The Wilderness Ranch features a happy pioneer atmosphere with horseback, buggy and wagon rides open to the public.

There is also a picnic pavilion with bonfire area. Activities include volleyball, tetherball, horseshoes and steer-roping game.

For more information, reservations or 'saddle-up' times, call (800) 381-6751 or visit the resort's website online at www.mountainlakewilderness.com or mountaincityonline.com/mountainlake.

Lake Cabin 4 Rent

Visit the Mountain Getaway Specialist,

F. Allison Curtis

2876 Draft Road

Butler, TN 37640

Toll Free 1-866-YES-STAY

798 Grindstaff Road, Butler TN 37640

Elegant, cabins constructed of solid log. Designed specifically to enjoy year-round, they are fully furnished and are warmly decorated with many antiques. They are also versatile, so that couples can find piece and solitude while family reunions and other gatherings can have fun together. Large windows provide the best opportunity to view the lake and your mountain surroundings. You will enjoy your own private hot tub, a beautiful stone fireplace, a full kitchen and a cathedral ceiling living room. Towels and linens are also provided. From the front porch there is a gorgeous view of the lake and surrounding mountains. You can enjoy a picnic on the deck that features a picnic table and grill, or curl up in front of the fireplace and watch television or read a book. No cabin experience is complete without a nice campfire to roast marshmallows or just for warmth, as you sit out under the stars.

B-Cliff Whitewater Rafting
The only outfitter located on the Watauga River, B-Cliff Whitewater Rafting exclusively conducts tours on section 5 of the river (not to be confused with Watauga Lake), which is nine miles long. B-Cliff is located below the Wilbur Dam.

Three-hour express trips and five-hour tours are available. Call (800) 592-2262 for more information.

Wahoo's Adventures
Looking for something different to do on Watauga Lake? Wahoo's Adventures has just what the doctor ordered for families or intimate groups of friends. Visitors can relax, soak up some sun, fish, paddle a sea kayak or try their hand at water-skiing.

They can also enjoy the day floating on Windjammer, our 45-foot yacht. They can even zoom across the lake on our captained Malibu 325 horsepower World Cup competition wakeboard/ski boat.

Whether you prefer water skiing, knee boarding or high-flying wake boarding, Wahoo's Adventures can help you enjoy it all. They provide all the instruction and equipment you'll need to have a safe, good time. They'll even throw in their own captain and mate.

Space and schedule are limited, so call soon to make your reservation. Call (800) 444-RAFT or (828) 262-5774 for more information about Wahoo's Adventures.

Watauga Kayak
Watauga Kayak offers inflatable canoes and sea kayaks and 14 different locations throughout Virginia, Northeast Tennessee and Southwest North Carolina, including Watauga Lake and the Watauga River.

Watauga Kayak also rents cabins, rents fly fishing boats, carries fly fishing accessories and offers a fly fishing guide service. There's also a shuttle service on the Watauga River.

Call (423) 542-6777 for more information.