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Seasonal Activities
Boating:
This is one of the
most loved activities on
Watauga Lake.
Boats of every description can be found
here, including houseboats, pontoon
boats, fishing boats, cabin cruisers,
sailboats, and sleek ski boats. There
are six full-service
Watauga Lake Marinas on the lake serving the needs of fisherman and boaters, with boat rentals, moorage, and more.
Swimming:
Fed by the Watauga River, Elk River, Roan Creek, and pure mountain springs, Watauga Lake is widely regarded as one of the cleanest lakes in America. With crystal-clear waters and pleasant summer temperatures, Watauga Lake is an excellent place to swim from either boat or beach.
Fishing:
Watauga was voted the best fishing lake in the region by Blue Ridge County Magazine. You can find 13 species of game fish in Watauga Lake, such as rainbow and brown trout, walleye, and both small and largemouth bass. Additionally, the many streams and rivers that surround Watauga Lake are also highly regarded for their abundant game fish.
Hiking/Camping:
The Cherokee National Forest, which surrounds Watauga Lake, covers more than 640,000 acres and is the state’s largest tract of public land. Open year-round, adventurers can take advantage of 700 miles of trails, more than 30 picnic areas,
7 whitewater rivers, and hundreds of miles of streams. This area is densely wooded and filled with diverse flora and fauna.
Whitewater Rafting:
 The rivers that surround Watauga Lake boast some of the best whitewater rafting in the
southeast. Rafting options range from leisurely family trips to world-class IV whitewater that will thrill even the most jaded adrenaline junkie. And here, kayaking offers a personal one-on-one experience with the lake and rivers that cannot be found anywhere else.
Golf:
There are a number of excellent public and private courses that surround Watauga Lake. One of the best public courses in the area is Red Tail Mountain, which is located just 14 miles from The Ridge.
Biking:
After racing in the Tour DuPont through the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lance Armstrong declared the region “the best area for training in the whole United States.” Both road cycling and mountain biking are popular in the Watauga Lake area, with routes and trails for bikers of all experience levels.
Snow Skiing & Snowboarding:
The Ridge is located less than 25 miles from Beech Mountain in North Carolina, home to Ski Beech, the highest elevation ski resort in the southeast. Offering both day and night skiing, as well as a charming alpine village, Beech Mountain provides an excellent winter retreat for skiers.
 And Sugar Mountain Resort, which is adjacent to the resort town of Banner Elk, is within 35 miles of The Ridge. The resort has 115 acres of skiable terrain for skiers of all levels, from beginner to expert. Sugar Mountain Resort has both day and night skiing with an average natural annual snowfall of 70 inches, along with state-of-the-art snowmaking facilities that have the capacity to cover 100 percent of its skiable terrain.
Other Activities:
Other area activities include some of the southeast’s best rock climbing in the nearby Linville Gorge Wilderness Preserve. NASCAR fans and racing enthusiasts will enjoy being only 45 miles away from the famed Bristol Motor Speedway. Nearby Blowing Rock is home to a brand new performing arts center, offering plays, concerts, and ballet, as well as local productions. And both Boone and Blowing Rock offer unlimited dining and shopping opportunities for all tastes.
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