Cardens Bluff Campground

I have camped here several times over a 4 year period using sites 25, 27, and 28. I really love the 2 shelf shelter for stove, firewood, dish washing or whatever. The lake is the big draw and I love to be in the water. I was disappointed this year with the lack of care of the trails. The only way to the "point" to get in the water is from a short trail between 25 and 26 or a steep drop below 27. Always before the trails were kept up, not at all this year. You have to push your way through the brush and LOTS of poison ivy to get to the water. Real hard to get kayaks down there. I always felt sorry for people staying on 26 because people want to cut through their site. If the trail was cleaned up it would sure make it nice. Poison ivy is growing up on the concrete to the bathroom, on the timbers and steps of several sites.

This campground is so beautiful, the perfect place to unwind. We stayed four nights and visited some on site trails as well as Laurel Falls just a few minutes from the campground. Our 5 mile hike there was absolutely gorgeous and a little challenging, just how I prefer. This site is close to the AT and there are plenty of fun ways to spend your time, especially if you brought a kayak or paddle board. We rented a boat from the closest marina and even got in the water for a bit! Everyone had a fantastic time, and our camp hosts were very helpful and accommodating. They even gave our car a jump before we left for home. Bathrooms were better than I expected for my first time camping, and we had everything we needed for our stay. We didn’t want to leave!

This campground is so beautiful. The campsites are all amazing-the majority with spectacular views of Watauga Lake. The camp pads have the best little shelf shelter to put your camp kitchen, wood, etc. the pads were level and fine gravel. The water stations and bathrooms ( actual flush toilets) are pretty convenient. All the sites feel private and then views.

Camped at site 6. This is a beautiful campground. Their tent camping spots are fantastic. Fairly level and gravelled sites with a grated fire pit, picnic table, lantern hooks, and covered gear/wood storage. Easy access to Watauga lake and all of it's boat ramps. Several rent sites are right on the lake. Lots of fishing opportunities both in the campground and within walking distance. The camp gates are open from 7am-10pm. I like that because it makes the campground feel very secure. Our camp host, Jeff was fantastic. He's extremely knowledgeable, always pleasant to talk to and always happy to help. We will definitely be back often, since we live only 20 minutes away!

My wife and I visited this camping ground where we stayed for two nights with our two kids: a 2-year-old and a 5-month-old. It was a fantastic camping experience. We were fortunate to secure a spot which offered a beautiful view, the spot is right on lake from side and close to the water tap from other side.

Carden's Bluff is a gem hidden in the Appalachians. I have a friend that lives 10min away and didn't know about it. The campground is clean and the hosts were helpful. The Rangers that keep the campground and surrounding areas are amazing. That man went out of his way to help me when he really wasn't obligated to... Anyways the views were beautiful. You can see the lake on 2 sides of you while camping. There's clean bathhouses and "potable" water and fountains around the campground. It's beautiful up there. We plan on going back around Father's Day. One word of advice, check the weather, the lows especially because it does get colder up there than sat, Kingsport, Rogersville, and Knoxville, etc. My only complaint was the dumpster is only on one side of the campground and depending where you are it is around a 5-10min walk to the dumpster.

The lake point at site 40 is nice. 41 has the real view. The 50 yard trek from parking was not disclaimed. Not an issue for us, but it was a hustle as our gear is planned trunk to ground.. Heavy stuff. Gazebos, multiple tents, mass supplies for a week. Not ideal. Once setup, it was one of the most bug free places. I'm used to ants, ticks, and spiders and we had just a few spiders. Very pest free. We did not enjoy the workout packing up on the slope up to parking. We took photos of the sites we'd accept next time. We will return with good knowledge of the sites. Many are up stairs or a hike. A few in 20s are park and go. That's our pace.

We love camping at Carden Bluffs campground. The lake is beautiful with gorgeous views of the mountains. This is the first time we have managed to get site 41 which is one of the most sought after due to its location and views. However, the floods last year washed away this site’s picnic table which we didn’t know. So be prepared to bring your own table if you get this site. Also the restroom closest to this site was damaged during the storm and is out of commission. Additionally, if you are a light sleeper you may want to bring ear plugs due to boats on the lake during the night. Otherwise, this is an awesome campground.

Just checking it out for a camping spot. Have to walk down steps to get to the spot but it’s a gravel trail so not too bad but if you have a lot of camping gear i recommend getting a little buggy to help getting the gear down to it. Quite and shady place I would camp here.

My family and I have been camping here, several times a year, for over 20 years. Unfortunately, the host there currently, don't actually care about people's safety or them enjoying their stay. There was a large German Shepherd running around. The dog didn't belong to anyone in the park. I know this because I saw a man take him to the host and she said "you'll have to go ask everyone if it is their's." That wasn't actually his job as a camper trying to relax but he did. He went to every site and the dog belonged to Noone. The host said, "just let him off the lead " the dog tried to attack two small dogs that night in separate instances. Then attacked my dog the following morning. We told the host and she was very rude and said she is looking for someone to give the dog to. When we told her animal control needed called she said, "no point" and "maybe you guys could do something about the dog" I was very disappointed in the way things are being ran. I even reserved our spot so I had to pay an extra fee.