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River Rock Retreat – Watauga Lake Views, Dock, Firepit, Fall Foliage

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An outdoor patio with stone flooring, wooden furniture, a fire pit, and a view of a forested landscape.
A modern kitchen with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a granite countertop.
A large house surrounded by dense forest, with a prominent stone chimney and a deck area.
A boat docked at a pier with a covered seating area and a forested backdrop.
A spacious living room with a high ceiling, a staircase, a large TV, and a stone fireplace.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Massages in spa
  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View in a map
Butler, TN

Where you'll sleep

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

1st Floor Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2nd Floor Bedroom

1 King Bed

2nd Floor Living Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

3rd Floor Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Family Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

1st Floor Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

2nd Floor Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

2nd Floor Powder Room

Toilet

3rd Floor Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

River Rock Retreat – Watauga Lake Views, Dock, Firepit, Fall Foliage

Immerse yourself in the stunning colors of autumn at River Rock Retreat, hosted by Watauga Lake Vacations. Perched above the waters of Watauga Lake, this cozy getaway offers a fire pit, kayak, paddleboard, and shared dock access surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. Breathe in the crisp mountain air as you sip coffee on the deck, rocking your worries away while the leaves shimmer across the water. In the evenings, gather around the fire pit or relax on the porch swing as the sun sets over the lake. Whether you're floating through the quiet cove or simply soaking in the panoramic fall views, this retreat is the perfect place to slow down, unwind, and make lasting memories.



Inside the home:

- First floor: Features a queen bed ensuite with a full bath, a kitchenette, and a separate entrance.

- Main floor: Includes a spacious living room with a wood-burning river rock fireplace, an open dining area with a fabulous kitchen, and a massive bedroom with a king bed and seating. There's also a full bath with a shower and jacuzzi tub, as well as a half bath and a laundry room with a washer/dryer.

- Third floor: Offers more spectacular lake views, another bedroom with a queen bed and ensuite full bath, and a second living room/den with ample seating and a play nook for kids. Multiple Roku TVs are available throughout the home for all your streaming needs.



Outdoor living:

- Main floor deck: A large area with a gas grill and a dining table with seating for six and an umbrella, perfect for dining, entertaining, or just relaxing. Nearby, enjoy rocking chairs with views of the lake.

- Lower porch: An outdoor living room with a gas fire pit and porch swing. Cornhole boards are available for yard games, or you can play under the covered porch.

- Dock: A kayak and paddleboard are provided, with life jackets available. Enjoy the quiet cove or venture out to the main channel. Fish, sunbathe, swim, or simply unwind. Water sports equipment rentals are available upon request, including water skis, a 3-person tube, kneeboard, tow ropes, and additional paddleboards. The Little Milligan boat ramp is just three minutes away, and there is space at the dock to moor a boat during your stay.



Year-round enjoyment:

- A gas fireplace on the porch and a wood-burning fireplace inside during the winter.

- After sunset, outdoor lighting allows for continued fun with cornhole or relaxing with games and entertainment.



Explore the area:

- Boone, NC, is just 39 minutes away, and Johnson City, TN, is 38 minutes away, both offering a variety of activities.

- Elizabethton is a short 23-minute drive for dining, shopping, and ice cream

- The Appalachian Trail is just 14 minutes away, along with Roan Mountain State Park, Sugar Hollow Retreat, golf courses, a winery, and nearby snow skiing, tubing, and snowboarding options.

- A comprehensive list of local recommendations for activities, food, and drink are provided.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Guests are required to provide ID and sign a rental agreement within 48 hours of booking or within 4 hours if arrival is within 48 hours.
A security deposit HOLD is required and will be processed by the host on the Guest's Credit Card.
Check-in Instructions will not be provided until the photo ID, rental agreement, and security deposit are completed.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4184061vb
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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Butler

Located in Butler, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Fish Springs Marina and Lakeshore Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Watauga Lake and Watauga River. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and rock climbing.
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Map
Butler, TN

Getting around

  • Tri-Cities, TN (TRI-Tri-Cities Regional) - 62 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Butler Trading Post - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪doe creek beverage - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Ha & Jj's Store Deli & Produce - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Maddy Moes Pizza - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Shirley's - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is River Rock Retreat – Watauga Lake Views, Dock, Firepit, Fall Foliage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at River Rock Retreat – Watauga Lake Views, Dock, Firepit, Fall Foliage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at River Rock Retreat – Watauga Lake Views, Dock, Firepit, Fall Foliage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at River Rock Retreat – Watauga Lake Views, Dock, Firepit, Fall Foliage?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is River Rock Retreat – Watauga Lake Views, Dock, Firepit, Fall Foliage located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Watauga Lake and Watauga River. Fish Springs Marina and Watauga Point Recreation Area are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 8 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 8 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

8.0/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Amazing stay!

We had such a great time at River Rock Retreat! The house have everything you need for a relaxing vacation on Watauga Lake! We will definitely be back!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Fantastic Stay

Excellent experience and beautifully maintained home with everything you need!!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Private, quiet, beautiful lake view. Open, spacious, modern. It's got everything you could want.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

A True Retreat

River Rock Retreat is a beautiful home with plenty of space, beds, and gathering areas for our family of eight. It truly feels like a retreat. The view is amazing, and while the home is definitely remote, that is part of what makes it so peaceful. The lake is absolutely stunning—quiet, beautiful, and incredibly relaxing. Our kids especially loved being on the water and had a great time wakeboarding. If you’re looking for a peaceful place to get away, enjoy time with family, and experience a gorgeous lake setting, River Rock Retreat is a wonderful choice.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Loved it here !

We had a family vacation at River Rock and it was wonderful. The home is clean. Well equipped and comfortably fit 6 adults, 1 teen, 1 child and 1 infant. Watagua Lake Vacations are super helpful and respond to any questions right away. Watagua is a Great Lake. Very clean and the water is warm. Highly recommend renting a pontoon boat with bigger engine and tube! We had so much fun. You may want to pick up a couple of tubes to float around on along with the paddleboard and kayak. Definitely follow the map and drive to the dock parking area as it’s quite a steep walk up but a great workout!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Christmas with a view

My husband and I took our 4 kids on a Christmas getaway we'll never forget. From the slow mornings of drinking coffee/hot chocolate on the deck with the most peaceful view to eating at some amazing restaurants and to top it off we had unexpected snow! This house is perfect for a summer or winter getaway and has the perfect layout for a family with kids and another couple or grandparent. We have no complaints and hope to be able to come back again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful and relaxing

This place is beautiful and relaxing located across the street from the lake. We came up to go to the Bristol race and everything was sold out. This was 45 minutes from the race track. The home has everything that you could need. It was only the 2 of us and the home could have fit 8-10. It was easy check in and constant communication. It is well stocked with everything and bed was so comfy. The driveway going to the house was a little sketchy and we had to put into 4WD because we were coming home at 1 AM every night. I would definitely stay again. Thank you for a great stay and hope to be back soon. The Florida Fox's
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Nov, 2024
Thank you for your amazing review! We’re thrilled you chose our brand-new listing for your trip and that it provided a beautiful and relaxing retreat close to the lake. It’s great to hear the home had everything you needed, from the comfy bed to the well-stocked amenities, and that it comfortably accommodated your visit. We also appreciate your feedback about the driveway and will work to make future stays even better. We’d love to welcome you back to this new property for another fantastic stay! Best, Christie & Donaven Watauga Lake Vacations
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Great Place for a Family Gathering

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at River Rock Retreat. It's peaceful and quiet with at lovely view of Watauga Lake. The kitchen was just what we needed to entertain a big family gathering that celebrated four different birthdays. The home is well equipped not only with kitchen and dining supplies but also with games and water toys. We rented a boat from a nearby marina and docked at the slip below the home. Convenient, comfortable and just what we needed for a great long weekend getaway.

About the host

Hosted by Christie & Donaven

Host profile image
River Rock Retreat is proudly hosted by Watauga Lake Vacations, run by a three-member team: Christie and Donaven Braun, and John Malo. We're all local residents who love calling the Watauga Lake area home, and we're excited to share it with you. Christie and Donaven are both Realtors who know the region inside and out. When we're not working, you'll find us on the lake, on the hiking trails, riding bikes, or relaxing by a campfire. John, a 26-year U.S. Army combat veteran, brings unmatched reliability, hands-on skills, and a deep love for the outdoors. In his free time he's usually out fishing, tackling projects, or exploring Jeep trails. From the moment you book, we take a hands-on, personalized approach so your stay is smooth, welcoming, and unforgettable. Relax, unplug, and enjoy your time at the lake.

Why they chose this property

River Rock Retreat is hosted by Watauga Lake Vacations and has great lake views and boasts a new dock just a couple minutes walk down the road that is shared with a neighbor. The large decks overlooking the mountain and lake views. Unlike many vacation homes on Watauga Lake, this isn't a community dock access area, it is a private dock that is shared with only one neighbor from the quiet neighborhood. Another great benefit of this property is the large driveway with ample parking for 4 vehicles. There are no steep drop offs or narrow gravel roads to navigate, and guests won't need a 4-wheel drive or SUV for access. Any vehicle can easily access the property, helping to make this a prime, low stress destination. The best way to get around the lake is with a pontoon. If you're in a hurry, we recommend you bring jet skis. If you're driving instead, leave some extra time as the roads follow the lake making for a scenic ride. Bear in mind, the locals are not in a hurry. Boone, NC is 39 minutes away; Johnson City, TN is just 38 minutes, and both are abundant with activities. Elizabethton is just a short 23 minute drive for quick dining, shopping, ice cream etc. In addition to all of the lake activities, guests can also enjoy the Appalachian Trail with a trail head just 14 minutes away, Roan Mountain State Park, Sugar Hollow Retreat, a winery, and lots of snow skiing, tubing, and snowboarding options nearby. We provide guests with many local recommendations for activities, food and drink.

What makes this property unique

Watauga Lake home with shared dock in quiet cove, kayak, paddleboard, and fire pit. Enjoy the water view from the porch and rock your worries away. Watch the sun set over the forest, float your way around the quiet cove, or venture out to explore over 180 miles of shoreline.

Languages:

English

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