Tent and RV Camping on the Watauga River
Camping on the Watauga River sounds like fun to me, but options are limited.
Campers – just like anglers, kayakers, tubers, waterfall and swimming hole junkies and everone else who likes to play in and around the river – are plagued by access issues.
Camping on the Watauga River is “few and far between” because most of the 78.5 miles of river is accessed via private land.
As far as traditional tent camping, the main option along the river used to be River Ridge Campground in Watauga TN. But those 21 tent sites for $30 per night along the river don’t exist any more.
In recent years, that property sold and became the Watauga River Lodge, which is more of all-in-one service for fishing on the river with guides, equipment, cabin accommodations, etc.
But I found a few options.
Below is a list of tent camping and RV camping. With the popularity of the river increasing, hopefully these traditional, more primitive and cheaper options will grow in the future.
I also added some cabin and house rentals located on the Watauga River. I’m certain these will grow in the future, too. If you know of another spot or want to include your camping site or rental, see the end of the article.
Camp Stonefly in Johnson City TN
Tent and RV Camping on the Watauga River
With River Ridge Campground no longer in operation, Camp Stonefly in Johnson City TN might be the only true campground focused on the Watauga River these days.
“It’s few and far between,” owner Judson Gee said, referring to the camping options that exist on the Watauga River.
The Camp Stonefly property features 1,300 feet of river frontage. But some of that frontage includes the road.
Gee estimates that 700 to 800 of that river frontage is along the riverside camping area.
Camp Stonefly offers primitive tent camping, RV camping, premium RV camping and two campers for rent.
As far as primitive tent sites, 6 to 7 of those exist and cost $25 per night. RV spots cost $35 per night. One premium RV spot with covered outdoor kitchen, propane grill and sink on a concrete pad and an 8-foot table costs $45 per night.
Also, Camp Stonefly rents out an older, 28-foot Airstream model for $50 per night and a 30-foot Cedar Creek with a slideout on it for $80.
“We only do short-term rentals by the way,” Gee said, adding that he wants to keep it open and cater to as many people as possible. Much of the clientele is fly fishermen, but a variety of visitors enjoy the riverside camping.
Gee said the campground is a “real grassroots” operation. With a bandstand on the property, they also hold music festivals here and there.
One other thing of note:
“We have the nicest bathhouse you’ve ever seen. People rave over our bathhouse with solid oak doors, teak wooden sets and endless hot water,” Gee said.
No website but there is a Facebook page.
For a more immediate response, call Judson at 704-301-4080.
Grandfather Campground in Foscoe NC
Tent and RV camping on the Watauga River
Grandfather Campground offers one of the few areas with camping on the Watauga River.
This place is located near Foscoe, NC – 15 minutes from Boone and Valle Crucis. The headwaters to the Watauga River begin nearly 3 miles upstream near Grandfather Mountain State Park, where the Profile Trail parallels the river.
While Grandfather Campground has dozens of tent and RV camping sites. The majority of those aren’t riverside options. Two sites are on the riverside and described as not private, probably because fishing is allowed on the property. Another site is listed as close to the river and good for setting up a hammock. See the site map and short descriptions of each tent site.
“Rustic” tent camping sites cost $18 per day and $100 per week and includes a fire pit and picnic table.
As for RV camping, there are 17 full hook-up sites along the river. The max length for your RV or camper on each of these sites varies from 28 to 40 feet. Sites are listed as 50/30 amp. See the site map and short description of the RV riverside lots.
You can read campground reviews here.
For more information, click to http://www.grandfatherrv.com or call 1-800-788-2582.
Wahoo’s Adventures in Elizabethton TN
Tent Camping on the Watauga River
Pitch a tent along the Watauga River and raft directly from your camp site.
Wahoo’s Adventure is a guide service that offers tubing, caving, rock climbing, mountain biking and rafting adventures. Wahoo’s Adventures offers whitewater rafting trips down the Watauga River in Elizabethon, TN. Beginning after the Wilbur Dam, this trip offers class 1, 2 and 3 rapids.
As far as camping is concerned, Wahoo’s Adventures offers tent camping accommodations for its customers on the banks of the Watauga River at its outpost in Elizabethton.
Here’s a quick description listed on the guide service’s website:
“Pitch a tent on the banks of the Watauga River or New River and experience the best that riverside camping has to offer. Raft, tube, canoe, kayak, or SUP (stand-up paddle board) right from your campsite! Activities vary with location. Call us for availability and pricing.”
They also have showers and flush toilets. Campers can also hang out in the screened in porch / dining area overlooking the river.
When I emailed the company in July 2020, pricing to camp along the Watauga River cost $13 per person per night plus the cost of your guided adventure.
As only customers are allowed to camp, you must have reserved a trip through Wahoo’s in order to camp at their outpost.
For more information, click to https://www.wahoosadventures.com or call 1-800-444-7238.
Watauga Dam Campground in Elizabethton TN
RV Camping on the Watauga River
The Watauga Dam Campground is actually on the Watauga River. A Tennessee Valle Authority recreational area, the campground is managed by Recreation Resource Management.
Camping at the Watauga Dam Campground costs $22 to $29 per night, depending on a few variables. The costs is $455 per month for longer stays.
Currently, the campground has no tent sites. The way this is stated on the campground’s website makes it sound like that could be a possibility in the future. I guess we’ll see.
But it does have 29 RV sites and many of those are “right on the river.” All sites have electric and water. Only three have sewer connections. Campers have access to heated showers, flush toilets and a convenient dump station.
The campground, located in Elizabethton, has historically been open from mid-March to mid-November.
The campground reviews are all glowing (9.8 out of 10), though there are only 6 of them.
The area offers boat ramps above and below the dam, fishing at Watauga Lake and Watauga River, hiking and a wildlife viewing area. As far as hiking is concerned, the great Appalachian Trail runs nearby the recreation area.
From the TVA day-use area and visitor’s center, the TVA’s Overlook Trail is a short hike along a gravel trail to view an overlook of Watauga Dam. Both the hike and view are unimpressive in my opinion. This however is a different trail and view from the top of the dam along the Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian Trail crosses along the top of Watauga Dam.
The Appalachian Trail can be reached via an extension of TVA’s overlook after nearly a half-mile from public parking area for day use and visitor’s center.
For more information, click to the campground’s website or email [email protected] or call (423) 543-0233. See the attached map and watch this YouTube video by a visitor.
Watauga River Cabins in Johnson City TN
RV Camping Site and Cabins along the Watauga River
With 600 feet of river frontage, Watauga River Cabins is located between Johnson City and Elizabethton. It has 5 cabins and a full hook-up RV pad with 50 amp service located on the river.
The RV lot has a private deck that overlooks the river. The 5 cabins comfortably sleep 24. A central laundry facility exists and a gas grill is also on site. The site includes a two-acre riverfront lot for weddings and other events.
The RV lot is $40 per night. While the cabin rentals vary from $150 to $325 per night plus a cleaning fee and nearly 15 percent tax. Rates are higher during NASCAR races and other well attended events nearby.
Walk-in fishing access is 75 feet and customers can put-in for kayaks and canoes.
For more information and to contact, click to www.wataugarivercabins.com. No phone number is available and contact is limited via a website contact form or VRBO.
Other Cabin and House Rentals on the Watauga River
Bee Cliff Cabins in Elizabethton TN
Watauga Riverbend Retreat in Johnson City TN
Watauga River Lodge in Watauga TN
Other Rentals
Some cool houses are for rent along the Watauga River in TN and NC at www.airbnb.com and www.vrbo.com.
If you have a vacation rental along the river, send me an email at [ onthewatauga @ gmail.com ] with a link, one or two photos of the river/lodging and a brief description. I’ll post it here.
Click here for more adventures, history and things to do on the Watauga River.