By:
Submission
Cardens Bluff Campground is open for the 2020 season. At nearly 2,000 feet elevation, Cardens Bluff Campground is located on a peninsula overlooking the 6,430-acre Watauga Lake in Carter County, TN. There are 43 sites, primarily for tent camping. There is a bathhouse with showers and flush toilets. No electrical hookups are provided. Day use areas are located nearby for those wanting to take advantage of swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Campground Hosts are on site to answer questions and assist with your visit. Recreation Boating is popular for visitors to Cardens Bluff. Numerous campsites provide easy water access for kayaks, canoes and motorized boats. Swimming and fishing are also very popular activities at Cardens Bluff. Watauga Lake provides notably clean water for recreating. Facilities There are 43 campsites within Cardens Bluff Campground. Each section of the campground has flush toilets. In addition, there is an accessible shower house with eight showers for use by registed campers only. Natural Features Watauga Lake is a 6,430-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Directly across the lake from the campground is the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness area, a rugged, undeveloped mountain range with only the Appalachian National Scenic Trail within its boundaries. Nearby Attractions The nearby Rat Branch Boat Launch is an easy quick drive from the campground for campers with motor boats. Shook Branch Swim Area is also nearby on the shores of Watauga Lake. Big Laurel Branch and Pond Mountain Wilderness areas are located north and south of the campground for more rugged, backcountry hiking. ADA Access: N
From Elizabethton, TN take US 19E/321 south 5 miles to Hampton. Turn left on 321/67 travel approx. 4 miles to the campground entrance on the left.
We camp here every year and this year the grounds and bathrooms were much cleaner. Spoke to the new camp hosts Jeff and Sherry and I can see why. These two have worked extremely hard this year to make the campground much better. I hope they are back next year!!! Lot #36
My wife and I visited this camping ground where we stayed for two nights with our two kids: a 2-year-old and a 5-month-old. It was a fantastic camping experience. We were fortunate to secure a spot which offered a beautiful view, the spot is right on lake from side and close to the water tap from other side.
Visited the Cardens Bluff Campground in early August 2023. The location was fantastic with many sites right on the lake. The campsites were well organized and clean. I visited the bathhouse and was pleased to see the shower area and toilets were also well maintained and clean. The water was crystal clear and comfortably warm enough to swim in. No electric hookups so expect to boondock. I highly recommend this campground.
This campground is so beautiful. The campsites are all amazing-the majority with spectacular views of Watauga Lake. The camp pads have the best little shelf shelter to put your camp kitchen, wood, etc. the pads were level and fine gravel. The water stations and bathrooms ( actual flush toilets) are pretty convenient. All the sites feel private and then views.
This campground is so beautiful, the perfect place to unwind. We stayed four nights and visited some on site trails as well as Laurel Falls just a few minutes from the campground. Our 5 mile hike there was absolutely gorgeous and a little challenging, just how I prefer. This site is close to the AT and there are plenty of fun ways to spend your time, especially if you brought a kayak or paddle board. We rented a boat from the closest marina and even got in the water for a bit! Everyone had a fantastic time, and our camp hosts were very helpful and accommodating. They even gave our car a jump before we left for home. Bathrooms were better than I expected for my first time camping, and we had everything we needed for our stay. We didn’t want to leave!
