See all properties
Cabin

Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock

Waterfront cabin with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock

Front View in Fall
Front view/summer
Hemlock Dining Area
Hemlock Living Room
Hemlock Queen Bedroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4900 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Johnson City, TN
  • Place, Watauga River
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, East Tennessee State University
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, Johnson City Medical Center
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Airport, Tri-Cities, TN (TRI-Tri-Cities Regional)
    ‪34 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock

The Hemlock Cabin is part of our 'rustic lodge'. Our lodge is located on the banks of the beautiful Watauga River, halfway between Johnson City and Elizabethton. The lodge was designed to resemble a horse barn and sits on 5 acres with over 600 feet of river frontage and consists of 3 cabins.

The downstairs Hemlock cabin has over 900 square feet of living space. The cabin has a queen bed, 2 super twin beds which can be made into a King bed, cat napper sofa, two full baths, along with a full kitchen and living area. The Hemlock cabin can accommodate four comfortably.

All linens are included -- all you have to do is pick up some food and bring your personal items -- all other items will be provided for you! The kitchen is fully equipped with dishes, cookware, toaster, coffee maker and microwave.

The cabin has heat/air conditioning, ceiling fan, flat screen satellite TV, DVD/VCR, gas fireplace, central laundry facility and gas & charcoal grills.

There is also a full hook-up RV pad with 50 amp service, located on the river. (extra cost) The RV lot has a private deck that overlooks the river.

Very convenient to both Johnson City and Elizabethton (10 minutes) as well as Roan Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain and Hawksnest ski resorts (45-60 minutes). Immediately adjacent to the lodge is the Watauga River which is about 100 feet wide and is home to some of the finest Trout fishing in the Eastern United States. Trout species in the Watauga River are Rainbow, Brook and Brown as well as several types of Bass and various non-game species. This lower part of the Watauga has been designated as the 'Quality Trout Zone.'

We have other cabins available please call for dates and prices.

Keywords: Cabin, Cabins, Lake, River, Watauga River, Fishing

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Front View Fall
Watauga River Cabins-Laurels Cabin
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
9.8 out of 10, (198 reviews)
Watauga River Cabins-Laurels Cabin

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Well behaved, non aggressive dogs are welcome.
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
All dogs must be non aggressive and on flea control. Limited 2 dogs per cabin. Sorry, no cats.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Johnson City

Located in Johnson City, this cabin is near theme parks and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sycamore Shoals State Park and Watauga River, while Tipton-Haynes Historic Site and The Bonnie Kate are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Johnson City Family Skatecenter, or check out an event or a game at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kayaking and rafting offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking/biking trails nearby.
View more Cabin rentals in Johnson CityOpens in a new window
Map
Johnson City, TN

What's nearby

  • Watauga River - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • East Tennessee State University - 12 min drive - 10.4 km
  • Johnson City Mall - 14 min drive - 13.4 km
  • Freedom Hall Civic Center - 14 min drive - 11.8 km
  • Johnson City Medical Center - 15 min drive - 13.4 km

Getting around

  • Tri-Cities, TN (TRI-Tri-Cities Regional) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪By-Lo Market - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Jersey Mike's Subs - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cranky's Pump N Pints - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Amigo Mexican Restaurant - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Watauga River Cabins-Hemlock located?

This family-friendly Johnson City cabin is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Watauga River and Sycamore Shoals State Park. Johnson City Family Skatecenter and Elk Crossing are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 197 out of 212 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 212 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 212 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 212 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 212 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Jack T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location, outdoor spaces are top notch.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gregory S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Space was great, the fireplace kept the cabin pretty cozy. We enjoyed the grill, fire pit and mostly the river views.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fred C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed in both Hemlock and Sycamore, and had a great visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great outdoor space with lots of seating and beautiful scenery. Cabin was very roomy with comfortable beds.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
As usual I would highly recommend Watauga River Cabins
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeff D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place at an awesome location. Enjoyed the fire pit, fishing, grilling, family setting outside for cook outs. We had a wonderful time. Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debra H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were very pleased with this rustic cabin and the outside areas were very relaxing. We thoroughly enjoyed sitting above the river and enjoyed the view and watching the paddlers and fisherman go by.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jodi R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
If you are looking for a nice little peaceful getaway this one is for you! It has sooo much beauty to offer and so much relaxation. If we go back to the area this is definitely where we will stay again. Everyone was so nice!! They supply so much for you! I miss being there already!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property and great riverfront access
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frances L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our dog loved the water in the back of the property. My mother in law was able to get in with her walker. We were only there to sleep and shower. We were visiting family in NC. Thank you for allowing us to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

We love staying here, we had a big group and reserved 3 of the cabins. Beautiful spot to break bread together and tell stories, enjoying company with the sounds of the river going by. Always wonderful, and great communication with the hosts!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Marianne A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for family reunion

Great location, more room than photos suggest, huge yard to spread out in with our family staying in the other cabins. Great for our family reunion!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

William L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

TN Fishing Adventure

We have stayed at this property for several years to fish in Eastern TN. This is such a great place to stay as it is secluded but close to John City.We really love staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sara S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend getaway for sports tournament

It was a nice clean cabin perfect for a family. Beautiful views and convenient to downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danny G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful stay

The location is what makes this place special! Relax and watch the fishermen float by...
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Russ c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

nice property overlooking Watauga river

excellent , we will return
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heaven

This is by far on of the best places we have had the opertunity to stay at. I would love to by this property and retire here. Thanks for a marvelous relaxing treat from the rat races. This place is so peaceful and beautiful. Do yourself a favor and book a long visit here.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Galen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience!

Asheville Fly Fishing Company's guests enjoyed another great fly fishing trip on the Watauga River. Watauga River Cabins is a great lodging location for our guests and AFFC includes fishing and private chef options.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandra C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

ETSU graduation 2025

Our family really enjoyed visiting with old friends around the fire pit.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

bernie v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I am employed for part time contract work at Mountain Home VAMC. The property is magical and positioned directly on a bluff overlooking the Watauga river which iOS loaded with stocked Rainbows, Browns and hybrid Stripers. It’s 10 minutes from the medical center and situated across from a magnificent farm with cornfields, hay fields and grazing pastures for cows. We were able introduce our pups to cows grazing on our morning walks and our hosts two dogs Tucker and Bristol who were perfect pup hosts as well. Gary and Patty are amazing hosts and well deserved of the highest marks for hosts in this rental industry and we have experienced many over the year. We look forward to seeing them in the future.
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place

My only place to stay when visiting the area. Better than any hotel and cannot beat the price.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

John H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The barn

All three apartments in the barn were fantastic. Clean, comfortable, and have everything you need. Not to mention the beautiful scenery.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Had a great time

As usual the stay was excellence.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy S., Knoxville tn 37917

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice quiet comfortable place to stay and relax, definitely planning another trip there again.

Will recommend to other people about this place.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pamela J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just What We Needed

Gorgeous property located on a quiet riverside lot. So very restful that we were torn between casting a line and napping in front of the gas fireplace. Very clean and
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

About the host

Hosted by Patty Whidden

Host profile image
I own a retirement mobile home park in Florida. My wife is a Biology teacher.

Why they chose this property

The river property came into my mother’s family in the 1890’s. My great grandfather built the family homestead. In 1901 (pre-dam) a flood came and damaged the home. With mules and logs they moved the 3,000 square foot, 2 story home across the creek and placed it on higher ground. Before the dam was built in the mid 1940’s, the river would sometimes look like a creek, at other times it would rise and come out its 50 foot banks. In the winter, the river would freeze and my great grandparents would cut squares of ice from the river and bury it in their home for later use. Before the bridge, there was a natural shelf that allowed the horse and buggies to cross the river in front of the cabins.

The ground was farmed until I received it in 2003. My mother was raised on the property, until she married my father in 1947 and moved to Florida. We vacationed here every year, so I have always loved this place. I wanted a place of my own but hated the idea of having it sit empty most of the time. I am in the rental business in Florida so I decided to build something that could be rented when we are not able to be here. At that time, there were no buildings on the property so I was able to start from scratch. I really like the character of horse barns and thought, why not build one that could house people. So, in 2004, we built the cabins and it has been a great adventure! This past winter, we completed our retirement cabin. The cabin has three bedrooms, three baths, and an apartment on the lower level.

We hope you choose us for your lodging in East Tennessee. We know you will enjoy it.

- Gary and Patty Whidden

What makes this property unique

Located on the Watauga River Trophy Trout Section, between Johnson City and Elizabethton, TN.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback