Tellico Lake in Tennessee

Trip Overview

I again took my Boy Scout Troop on a canoe outing. This time we chose Tellico Lake. We put in at the 129 boat ramp and paddled down stream to the finger of land that is on the right about two miles from the put-in. There we set up camp. After lunch we paddled to Chota Memorial. The Chota site is very special to our history! The Cherokees used to reside all along this river. We left and made it back by dinner. After a great meal we swam and watched the sunset.

The campsite is just below the new water intake for South Blount Water. It is on TVA (or perhaps TRDA) land. Someone keeps it mowed but I do not believe it is TVA/TRDA.

This section of Tellico is very nice with steep cliffs, Bald Eagles, geese, fairly quiet and no development anywhere near the campsite.

Accommodations:

No accommodations or facilities

Outfitting:

We took five canoes

Fees:

FREE!

Directions:

From Maryville, take highway 129 toward Fontana. Once the highway reaches the lake, the boat ramp is immediately to the right.