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Watauga Lake: Hampton to Mountain City, Watauga Lake, Tennessee
Photo: Parker1297 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives Tennessee Knoxville, Chattanooga and East Tennessee

Watauga Lake: Hampton to Mountain City

US 321, TN 67 · Hampton → Mountain City

Leisurely28 mi40 min3,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,600 ftOne way
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The drive

This one is about the scenery more than the corners. US 321 and Highway 67 leave Hampton and follow the shore of Watauga Lake, with open views across the water to the ridges of the Cherokee National Forest, then climb up the valley past Butler to Mountain City on long, flowing bends.

It's driven from Hampton, the end nearer Elizabethton and Johnson City, toward Mountain City, and it pairs with The Snake from there if you want something twistier. Where US 321 splits off near Butler, the drive stays on Highway 67.

Along the way

  1. Hampton (US 19E)
  2. Mountain City (US 421)
Elevation
3,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,600 ft
HamptonMountain City
Curves
Mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches
HamptonMountain City
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Every road in the area closed by Hurricane Helene has reopened, including US 321 in Carter and Johnson counties.
  • The lake has several overlooks and pull-offs along the shore; they're the best places to stop.
  • It's gentle by Tennessee mountain standards: good for a relaxed drive or a first trip with passengers.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check TDOT SmartWay.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Watauga Lake: Hampton to Mountain City, from Hampton to Mountain City