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Watts Bar Lake offers so many recreational opportunities - world class fishing, skiing, sailing, paddle boarding, camping - or just relaxing in a quiet cove. There are 39,000 acres of water to enjoy. With an abundance of species such as bass, crappie, striper and more, fishing tournaments are held nearly every weekend March through October. Camping is available lakeside at Caney Creek RV Resort and Riley Creek Campground. There are restaurants where you can find live outdoor music most summer weekends, while there are several annual outdoor music events - Half Moon Music Festival in September and Gizmo Jam in May. There are so many nice parks on the water's edge - Roane County Park (our largest) with swimming area, splash pad, 18-hole disc golf and numerous covered pavilions; Kingston City Park - home to Smokin' the Water, our annual 4th of July Festival, with the largest covered pavilion and picnic area; Harriman Riverfront Park - home to the monthly Babahatchie Band concerts, along the Emory River; and more. Our largest boat launch is Tom Fuller Park in Rockwood but we have several across the county that will accommodate fishing tournaments. There are several outdoor rentals available - paddleboarding and outdoor gear through Emory River Outdoors in Kingston and pontoon boats through Blue Springs or Caney Creek Marina. During the summer Paddelboard Knoxville sets up (weather permitting) at Kingston City Park; while Tennessee Paddleboard can usually be found in the Caney Creek area.
Roane County is known for its recreation - whether you are looking for things to do on the lake, picnicking or walking in the park, splashing around, playing golf or disc-golf, or competing for prizes and money in a triathlon, bike race or fishing tournament. In Roane County it is all about getting outdoors and enjoying nature at its best!
Roane County is host to many sporting and recreational events throughout the year - fishing tournaments, baseball and softball, triathlon, bike races, and even horse shows and rodeos. Here are just a few of our annual events as well as a list of sporting facilities available for an event.
Roane County Park, located on Watts Bar Lake, features lots of fun family activities - splash pad, 18-hole disc golf course, 1.5 mile paved walking trail, tennis courts, fishing pier, covered picnic shelters, playgrounds, swimming area, canoes, baseball field, and more. There is also meeting room space available. Lakeside primitive camping spots also available. Open year round. Bus parking available. Pets allowed on Leash 9 am - 9 pm. Directions: Exit 350 (Midtown) on I-40. South on Pine Ridge Road to Hwy 70, turning right at light heading west on Hwy 70. Roane County Park is approx. 4 miles on the left.
Roane County boasts a rich musical heritage - particularly in roots bluegrass and gospel. Many local musicians have grown up playing instruments such as the mandolin, bass guitar, harmonica or fiddle. Friends and families have played together for years. In fact, it is not unusual to hear live Bluegrass music in unlikely locations - barber shops, parks, and the front porch of the Rocky Top General Store. All have been good spontaneous stages for local musicians just wanting to play. Since Tennessee has always been known for all types of music it is no wonder that Roane County has become known as the place for roots Bluegrass music.
The Top Secret Trail is a journey through some of East Tennessee's beautiful scenery and best-kept secrets. Roane County is part of this self-guided driving trail - part of the State's Discover Trails & Byways program. Brochures are available at the Tennessee Welcome Centers, as well as the Roane County Visitor's Bureau (Point of Interest #23 on the map) or at other points of interest on the trail. The trail is also available as a pdf online. Top Secret signs can be seen along the route - directing travelers to from one attraction to the next.
This trail takes you from Knoxville to the "Secret City" of Oak Ridge and its atomic mysteries to Harriman and Rugby, both built on the principles of their utopia-dreaming founders. Enjoy nine state parks, natural areas, hundreds of miles of scenic shoreline, town squares, general stores, local museums, arts and crafts, and more on this 465 mile route.
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