Best East Tennessee Winter Lake Vacation Destinations!

Curl up in these must-visit getaway lake destinations in East Tennessee. Plan a trip with your family or friends for the best winter vacation you’ve ever had. Whether you’re looking for a cozy, secluded lake cabin rental or a home with community activities, you can be sure to find it in East Tennessee. Here are just a few lake spots in Tennessee that are ready to extend to you a warm welcome this winter.

Douglas Lake

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in Winter

Douglas Lake is a popular outdoor destination in eastern Tennessee, being only a few miles from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This region in is full of vacation rentals for families of all sizes – and perfect if you’re looking for a lake cabin getaway. A short drive to the quaint town of Pigeon Forge will lead you to museums and restaurants— plus the country singer Dolly Parton’s theme park and its thrilling roller coaster rides. While in the area, visit Tennessee only ski resort, When you think of snow skiing, you might not think of East Tennessee. And we get that. It’s not really our forte. But for those of you who can’t make it out to Colorado for your annual trip or want to try the sport before buying a plane ticket, Ober Gatlinburg should be on your list this season. Although TVA draws down the water levels about 40-50 ft in winter months on Douglas Lake, the mountain views and area attractions are spectacular and well worth the trip!

Tellico Lake

With only a minor 6 feet winter drawdown of the water level, Tellico Lake becomes in ideal place to getaway for a few days and enjoy a lakefront home rental. With some of the best lake communities in the south like Tellico Village and Rarity Bay, many visitors combine their vacation with a exploratory trip to look for their future retirement or relocation area. The Tellico Lake areas features multiple museums highlighting the rich Cherokee history. The surrounding areas also features vineyards, farm tours, antiquing and shopping, scenic drives, and much more to keep you busy during your vacation!

Ft. Loudoun Lake

Fort Loudoun Lake is located at the headwaters of the Tennessee River in Knoxville and extends upstream from the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers south to the Ft. Loudoun Dam in Lenoir City. Since Fort Loudoun is a navigable mainstream waterway, the annual drawdown is only six vertical feet making another fabulous winter getaway with year round views and water. Because of it’s location around Knoxville, there is a huge variety of activities that everyone in your vacation party can enjoy. Stroll the downtown with craft breweries around every corner or visit one of downtown’s theatres for an entertaining performance sure to leave a lasting impression. The historic Tennessee Theatre has a full lineup of shows, including musical “Miss Saigon,” opera “Romeo & Juliet,” and Broadway Musical “Waitress.”

Check out our blog on Vacation Rentals in the area HERE.

“Baby, it’s cold outside” and that doesn’t stop abruptly after the holiday season. In East Tennessee, the winter months bring their own magic and the cold weather doesn’t seem to stop all of the happenings the lake areas have to offer. Save the boating and swimming for the Spring and Summer, this winter relax at your lake home or lake vacation rental and enjoy the Hallmark movie-esque vibe that exists in this state. Pack your bags and visit our lakes for a wintery getaway!

Posted by Sandor Pardi, Lakefront Living, On The Lake Realty