Spend A Fall Day On This Overlooked Tennessee Lake To Get Away From It All
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Meghan Kraft
Author
The Tennessee Valley Authority made SURE that Tennessee was speckled with lakes and rivers, fed from the natural rivers the crisscross the state. We’re so very thankful for our gorgeous ponds and lakes, but because of the sheer number of waterways in the state it can be hard to break out of the mold. Here’s a challenge: skip your classic lakeside getaway this fall, and try out something new. Like perhaps Watts Bar?
Watts Bar Lake is a manmade reservoir that was formed as a part of the Tennessee Valley Authority, created by the Watts Bar Dam. It's located between Knoxville and Chattanooga and covers a whopping 39,000 watery acres.
It's gorgeous any time of year, but we're fans of visiting at the peak of fall foliage. It makes for incredible photos and a cozy, as opposed to toasty, outdoor camping experience.
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The reservoir itself has 722 miles of shoreline, which means there's a ton of room for you to take part in aquatic sports and experiences across the lake. Fishing? Sure! Swimming? Naturally.
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The history of the reservoir is actually rooted in World War II. Construction of the Watts Bar Dam began in 1939, but it wasn't until 1942 that it was completed. Work increased dramatically after the attack on Pearl Harbor in an effort to provide the necessary energy for the war effort. Watts Bar even played a part in powering the now infamous Manhattan Project in nearby Oak Ridge.
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There are all sorts of fun eateries that serve up some of the best fare in the state in the area, and they're right along the lakeside. You can pop by Blue Springs Marina or perhaps Crows Nest Restaurant other hot spots just a stone's throw from your campsite.
Even the morning fog is magical on the lake. Can you imagine waking up early and fishing in this gorgeous - and quite possibly eerie - place?
RV camping, day use sites, tent camping AND boat camping area available on site. You can also rent a room at one of the local hotels, or even splurge a bit and rent a lake home.
Have you ever been to Watts Bar Lake? Could you see yourself enjoying the chill of autumn along the shoreline, breathing in the clear lakeside air?
If you’re keeping your eye on some of the prettiest spots in Tennessee, this darling little town may be the next Napa Valley. Have you been?
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