Watauga Dam

–

———————————-

Overall
Recommendation:
Beginning (or all) hikers looking for some less strenuous A.T. hiking, while having beautiful vistas and walking across a historical TVA dam.

–

Outstanding
Features:
Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail shelter, earthen TVA dam (highest elevation in eastern U.S.), and a beautiful lake.

–

Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate.

–

Driving:
From Elizabethton, take 19E toward Hampton.  Once in Hampton turn left onto highway 321 toward Mountain City.  Proceed approximately 2.0 miles and you’ll see the lake on your left.  There will be a “Cherokee National Forest” sign immediately on your left with a large parking area. 

–

Trails:
From the parking area, walk on down the road a bit toward the paved recreational area at the lake.  There are restrooms there.  Look for the white-blazed Appalachian Trail and take a left on it (heading north on the A.T.).  Follow the white blazes and in approximately 3.0 miles you come to the dam.  There is also an A.T. shelter about mid-way.

–

Needed
Gear & Tips:
It is almost always very windy on the dam.  In cool conditions be prepared for these winds.

–

Distance:
Approximately 6.0 miles round-trip.

–

Time
Allotment:
3-5 hours

–

Type:
Out & Back.

–

Vista
Rating (1-5):

3.5 – Many medium grandeur views from lower elevations.

–

Waterfall
Rating (based on a 1-50 scale):

none–

–

Water
Crossings (one way):
A few very small streams, but you shouldn’t get wet.  These streams are sometimes completely dry depending on weather conditions.
–

Scrambling/Climbing:
None.

–

Hazards:
Some steep slopes, one open footbridge.

–

Maps/GPS
info:

none

–

More
Information: