Tellico Lake in Tennessee - Weekend Trip Report

Trip Overview

I rated this as moderate because of the pleasure boat traffic. My nephew and I put in off Hwy 411 at the bridge over where Little Tennessee and Tellico meet. We traveled south east up the Little Tenn. toward Chilhowee Lake. We were to base camp about 3 or 4 miles up.

There are some TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) campsites on the north side of the lake about 2 miles beyond the Fort Loudon State Historic Area. These camp sites are only accessible by water or about a mile hike from hwy 129. There are a couple of camp sites on the point and another 3 back up in the cove on the left side. The ones on the point are nice, but get the full force of any storms that come across the mile wide part of the lake. The ones in the cove are more protected from storms. These camp areas are free up to 2 weeks. They have the tent square that can accommodate an 8 man tent and has fine gravel, lamp post, and an old truck rim for a fire pit. There is some people that actually walk in carrying their beer from hwy 129, but we never had any problem and never encountered many (mostly because of some reason I always choose times to go when the weather is nasty. I must have upset mother nature some how). We usually bring an extra garbage bag to carry out what these people are to lazy to carry out.

The camp sites are rarely used and a few are growing up with weeds and brush. There is a boat ramp on the other side of the lake (Toqua Rec. Area) Nice place, but I had my vehicle vandalized there a few years ago, but this was a rare thing and looks like a business is moving in close by so maybe it will be safer to leave a vehicle there overnight.

This wasn't a major expedition or anything, but I was looking forward to leaving the gas burning bass boat home and going light weight and experiencing packing all my camping stuff in my canoe, which is a different story and I have way to much junk!

Accommodations:

There are no bathrooms at the camp sites we stayed at. It is in the woods at the waters edge. About a mile walk down a path to hwy 129 or a little over a mile across the lake to Toqua boat ramp.

Outfitting:

I took my Mad River 156 and my nephew took his 10 foot Perception kayak. We came back towing his kayak, and he was in the bow of the canoe. Towed kayak like it wasn't there.

Fees:

No fees or permits required.

Directions:

From Knoxville tn take 129 south to Maryville and then it connects with 411 toward Vonore. We put in by marina across bridge on 411 Vonore side. I asked permission of marina owner for leaving my truck. He was very nice and I thanked him because most marinas on that lake won't let you leave your vehicle unless you are a member.

Resources:

Tennessee Atlas & Gazetteer.