Tennessee whitewater, Watauga Watauga Johnson county, Guys Ford Bridge to Watauga Lake section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV-V     4.9 miles   The put-in is not too far from Boone, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside Tennessee you might find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so better not forget that a lot of the rivers here are not suitable for beginners. The natural beauty of Watauga / Johnson County and the water flowing gracefully down Watauga make the trip here worthwhile.     You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. Lodging is available near the river, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. On this section you do get some distance, suitable for an afternoon trip. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots. There are plenty of other stretches in this river system that can be paddled as well. Getting your paddling muscles activated and a chance to spend some time outdoors are great attractions for lots of people. The Guys Ford Bridge to Watauga Lake stretch of Watauga in Tennessee is 4.9 miles long and is according to   American Whitewater a class IV-V section of whitewater. Briefly about the general area: Roan Mountain State Park is a pleasant place to check out on a gorgeous day, and you can go for a hike on the Little Pond Mountain Trail. There are plenty of folks from Sugar Grove here at Watauga, and don't leave Watauga without first going for a hike along the Iron Mountain Trail. At this river you will never have a bad time. The best way to spend a winter day is on the slopes of close by Ski Beech, and naturally, A visit to Keller Gap is always fun. Summertime brings highs in the 80's to Watauga. Watauga, Guys Ford Bridge to Watauga Lake road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Watauga.   Whitewater Near Watauga: Watauga, Watauga / Johnson County, 2 miles away       Class IV-V - 4.9 miles long (Guys Ford Bridge to Watauga Lake) Watauga River, Watauga County, 2 miles away       Class IV-V - 4.9 miles long (Guys Ford Bridge to Watauga Lake) Elk River, Carter County, 5 miles away       Class II-III - 4.3 miles long (Route 2520 to US 321 bridge Close to Elk Mills) Watauga River, Watauga County, 6 miles away       Class II-III - 4 miles long (US Route 321 Bridge to Route 1200) Elk River, Avery (NC)/Carter (TN) County, 6 miles away       Class IV-V(V+) - 4.8 miles long (Route 130 to bridge above Sone Mtn Church Tennessee) Elk River, Carter and Avery County, 6 miles away       Class IV-V - 5 miles long (Big Falls to Poga Rd) Elk River, Avery County, 6 miles away       Class IV-V - 8.4 miles long (Route 1326 to Route 1305) Whitewater Outfitter - High Mountain Expeditions, Avery County, 10 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Doe River, Carter County, 12 miles away       Class II-III - 4.6 miles long (Crabtree to Blevins Bridge on Bear Gauge Road) Watauga River, Watauga County, 13 miles away       Class I-II - 12 miles long (North Carolina Route 105 Bridge to US Route 321 Bridge)   Ski Areas Near Watauga: Ski Beech, North Carolina , 6 miles away, 830 foot drop, 10 lifts, 15 runs Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 9 miles away, 1200 foot drop, 8 lifts, 20 runs Hawksnest, North Carolina , 10 miles away, 619 foot drop, 4 lifts, 12 runs Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 18 miles away, 365 foot drop, 5 lifts, 9 runs Wolf Ridge, North Carolina , 45 miles away, 700 foot drop, 5 lifts, 20 runs Cataloochee, North Carolina , 91 miles away, 740 foot drop, 4 lifts, 10 runs Winterplace, West Virginia , 91 miles away, 603 foot drop, 9 lifts, 27 runs   Marinas Near Watauga: Pioneer Landing Campground, Butler , 3 miles away Pappy's Marina and Campground, Butler , 7 miles away Lakeshore Marina, Hampton , 13 miles away Fish Springs Marina, Hampton , 18 miles away Lake View Dock, Bristol , 18 miles away   Hotels Near Watauga: Jackalope's Mountain Lodge, Banner Elk , 5 miles away Banner Haven Bed And Breakfast, Banner Elk , 7 miles away Best Western Mountain Lodge At Banner Elk, Banner Elk , 8 miles away Blue Ridge Village, Banner Elk , 10 miles away Highland Hills Cabins, Boone , 15 miles away   Campgrounds Near Watauga: Mountaineer Falls Shelter - Appalachian Trail, Elk Park, 6 miles away Grandfather Campground and Cabins, Banner Elk, 8 miles away Pappy's Marina and Campground, Butler, 8 miles away   Trails Near Watauga: Little Pond Mountain Trail, Carter , 10 miles away Iron Mountain Trail, Johnson , 11 miles away Laurel Fork Trail, Carter , 12 miles away Laurel Fork Trail, Carter , 12 miles away Pond Mountain Trail, Carter , 12 miles away   Public Lands Near Watauga: Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 59 miles away Roan Mountain State Park, Tennessee , 13 miles away Sycamore Shoals State Park, Tennessee , 16 miles away Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee , 24 miles away   Golf Courses Near Watauga: Wilderness Trail, Banner Elk , 7 miles away Diamond Creek, Banner Elk , 8 miles away Sugar Mountain Golf Club, Sugar Mountain , 9 miles away   Lakes Near Watauga Wildcat Lake, Avery , 8 miles away Watauga Lake, Carter , 15 miles away South Holston Lake, Sullivan , 18 miles away