Tennessee whitewater - Watauga, Carter/ Washington County Carter/ Washington county, Watauga Reservoir to Boone Lake section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     20.6 miles   I worked as a Iocal commercial guide on this section of the Watauga River in most all types of weather conditions and I would rate this section of the Watauga River AW Class I-II+(III), especially at the Bee Cliff Rapdis - the first main rapids area after input at the TVA Wilbur Dam site - especially when light rains during cloudy days can add to visibilty being greatly reduced at the Bee Cliff Rapids (I once witnessed a canoe flip end-over-end in a fog bank). The Bee Cliff Rapids are also for some reason (mistaken or purposely) referred by some North     Carolina-based rafting companies to their customers as the 'Anaconda Rapids' - if you are not aware of this fact, you may end up paying significantly more for a rafting trip on this section of the Watauga River. The Tennessee Valley Authority releases the seasonally scheduled impounded resevoir water from the TVA Wilbur Dam at approximately 1:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday (the main input is just below Wilbur Dam and southeast of Elizabethton, Tennessee). This section of the Watauga River that flows through Elizabethton (Carter County) and is a popular commercial destination for both commercial rafting and fishing float tour companies from both eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina choosing to run this section of the Watauga River as many naturally flowing rivers in this Northeast Tennessee region (such as the Nolichucky River in   Unicoi County, Tennessee ) are very dependent upon regular rainfall during the hot summer months. There is limited parking available at the one TVA parking lot by the putin entrance and at the at the Carter County owned putin itself. The water temperature of the Watauga River is around 52 degrees F. The main take-out used by locals (private and commercial) is found approximately two hours (seven miles) from Wilbur Dam at the Elizabethton Linear Trail Park in the Blackbottom community, while some North Carolina companies take out at a city industrial park just minutes below the Hunter Bridge (approximately one hour downstream of the TVA Wilbur Dam), and if you have the time you could float down to other lesser used takeouts at Sycamore Shoals State Park (however, park vehicles at the city owned Franklin Pool parking lot if putting in at Wilbur Dam during the late afternoon hours). This section of the Watauga River should also be listed by River Facts under the Great Smokey Mountains page. Says Robert Ritchie The map for the Watauga River Tennessee whitewater - Watauga, Carter County should instead zoom in on Elizabethton at pinpoint the TWRA launch (takeout) at the concrete Hunter Bridge located one hour downstream of the TVA Wilbur Dam putin, the Blackbottom takeout at Riverside in Elizabethton located two hours downstream of the TVA Wilbur Dam putin (preferred), and at Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton located two and one half hours downstream of the TVA Wilbur Dam putin . Says Robert Ritchie The wonderful Carter/ Washington County scenery and the sparkling of the sunlight on the water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. The Watauga Reservoir to Boone Lake section of Watauga is 20.6 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class I-II section of whitewater. The put-in location is a short drive from Johnson City, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. A good workout and a chance to spend some time outdoors are great attractions for lots of people. This section is long enough for an overnight trip if you take your time, so why not pack your sleeping bag too. There are many good hotels to choose from, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. The campgrounds here at Watauga are pretty good. The average Tennessee whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be harder to run than those in other states, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that many of the sections here are not safe for beginners. This river system is full of great paddling sections, the Watauga Reservoir to Boone Lake section is just one of them. Briefly about the general area: You should definitely have a look at Betty Range Cliff if you're here at Watauga, and close by Shell Hollow is a magnificent place to go. All the water falling down from the sky makes Watauga a wet location; most of the rain falls during July, and October on the other hand is the driest. Why not take a refreshing hike along the Old Dug Trail. Throughout the summertime months highs here at Watauga get into the 80's. For the duration of the moonlight hours it's generally in the 60's. Daytime highs through the winter are in the 40's with temperatures at Watauga dipping down into the 20's all through winter nights. Watauga, Watauga Reservoir to Boone Lake road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: I-II Length: 20.6 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.32472 Longitude: -82.12306 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.43805 Longitude: -82.43917 Paddler input for Watauga, Tennessee: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Watauga, Tennessee Local climate location: KINGSPORT 4 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Americourt Hotel Elizabethton, Elizabethton 3 miles away The Americourt Hotel is located in Elizabethton, TN and is 10-15 miles from Johnson City, Bristol and Roan Mountain. The Hotel is 45 minutes from Kingsport, TN and Boone, NC. The Hotel nestled in the ... Comfort Inn Johnson City, Johnson City 6 miles away Easy access off I-181. Appalachian trail 4 miles. Downtown Johnson City - 4 miles, Golf course within walking distance. Coffee in all rooms. FREE dry-cleaning pick up and delivery. Restaurant within w... Quality Inn & Suites, Johnson City 7 miles away The hotel offers a free deluxe hot breakfast Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. The hotel also offers free wireless Internet access, a fi...   All Tennessee Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Tennessee. Books about whitewater paddling on Watauga, Tennessee List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Watauga, Tennessee. Find a whitewater outfitter in Tennessee Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Johnson City, Tennessee Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Johnson City, Tennessee, the metro area neareast to Watauga. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Watauga.   Whitewater Near Watauga: Doe River, Carter County , 7 miles away, Class II-III - 8.5 miles long (Hampton to Elizabethton) Holston River, Sullivan County , 9 miles away, Class I-II - 10 miles long (South Holston Dam to Boone Lake) Doe River, Carter County , 11 miles away, Class III-IV - 5.7 miles long (Blevins Bridge on Bear Cage Road to Highway 19E bridge) Doe River - Laurel Fork, -blank- County , 12 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 5 miles long (Dennis Cove to Hampton) Doe River, Carter County , 15 miles away, Class II-III - 4.6 miles long (Crabtree to Blevins Bridge on Bear Gauge Road) Nolichucky River, Unicoi/ Washington County , 16 miles away, Class II+(III) - 0 miles long (Big Rocks) Nolichucky River, Mitchell/ Unicoi County , 17 miles away, Class III-IV - 8.1 miles long (Rt 197 Poplar to 19/23 Close to Erwin) Nolichucky River, Unicoi County , 18 miles away, Class III-IV - 8 miles long (Poplar North to Nolichucky Gorge Campground) Nolichucky River, Unicoi County , 19 miles away, Class I-II(III) - 3 miles long (Nolichucky Gorge Campground to Jackson Love Bridge) Big Moccasin Creek, Scott County , 21 miles away, Class I-III(IV) - 6 miles long (Snowflake to Antioch Church)   Ski Areas Near Watauga: Wolf Laurel, North Carolina , 29 miles away, 700 vertical feet Ski Beech, North Carolina , 30 miles away, 830 vertical feet Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 33 miles away, 1200 vertical feet Hawksnest, North Carolina , 34 miles away, 619 vertical feet Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 44 miles away, 365 vertical feet Cataloochee, North Carolina , 72 miles away, 740 vertical feet Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 96 miles away, 600 vertical feet Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 104 miles away, 225 vertical feet Winterplace, West Virginia , 105 miles away, 603 vertical feet Sky Valley, Georgia , 108 miles away, 210 vertical feet   Hotels Near Watauga: Americourt Hotel Elizabethton, Elizabethton , 3 miles away Comfort Inn Johnson City, Johnson City , 6 miles away Quality Inn & Suites, Johnson City , 7 miles away Red Roof Inn Johnson City, Johnson City , 7 miles away Johnson City Super 8 Motel, Johnson City , 7 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Watauga: River Ridge Campground, Watauga, 2 miles away Lakeview RV Park, Bluff City, 4 miles away Earhart Station, Bristol, 8 miles away   Trails Near Watauga: Old Dug Trail, Carter County , 5 miles away Stone Mountain Trail, Carter County , 8 miles away Pinnacle Tower Trail, Unicoi County , 11 miles away Limestone Cove Trail, Unicoi County , 12 miles away Stamping Ground Trail, Unicoi County , 12 miles away   National Parks Near Watauga: Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 48 miles away   Golf Courses Near Watauga: Elizabethton Golf Course, Elizabethton , 3 miles away