Bee Cliff (Tennessee) facts for kids
The Bee Cliff is a tall, impressive limestone rock formation in northeast Tennessee. It has high caves and looks over the Watauga River and the Siam community in Carter County, Tennessee. It's a popular spot for outdoor adventures!
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Where is Bee Cliff?
Bee Cliff is located in northeastern Tennessee at 36°21′07″N 82°08′11″W / 36.35194°N 82.13639°W. Its exact location is 36.351944° North, -82.136389° West.
The bottom part of Bee Cliff is right across the Watauga River from Wilbur Dam Road. The very top of Bee Cliff is found off Blue Springs Road. It's across the Watauga River from Wilbur Dam Road.
The highest point of Bee Cliff is about 1,968 feet (600 m) above sea level.
Floating Down the River
If you travel by boat on the Watauga River, Bee Cliff is about 10 to 15 minutes downstream from the Tennessee Valley Authority's Wilbur and Watauga dams. It's also about an hour and forty-five minutes upstream from the city of Elizabethton, Tennessee.
For whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Watauga River, most people start their trip (called a "put-in") just below the Wilbur Dam. The most common place to finish (called a "take-out") is about 2 to 2½ hours downstream. This spot is called Blackbottom, and it's part of a trail in Elizabethton. The time it takes depends on how much water is released from the dam.
As you float downstream on the Watauga River, you can use these landmarks to guess how far you've gone:
- About 30 minutes to the old iron bridge at the Siam community (this is a long, flat section of water).
- About 60 minutes to the first concrete bridge at the Hunter community (here, you'll start to see some quick, small rapids on the right side).
- About 90 minutes to the concrete U.S. Highway 19E bridge and Carter Mansion (you'll hit faster rapids here, near a steep left bank).
- About 120 minutes (two hours) to the Blackbottom "take-out" in Elizabethton.
The total distance you float from Wilbur Dam to the Blackbottom take-out is about seven miles (11 km).
Bee Cliff Rapids
Just before Bee Cliff, there's a stretch of whitewater rapids on the Watauga River. It's about 150 yards long and is known as the Bee Cliff Rapids. Some guides from North Carolina sometimes call them the Anaconda Rapids.
These rapids are about 15 to 20 minutes downstream from where you launch your boat at the TVA Wilbur Dam.
On the left side of the river (as you float downstream) from the Bee Cliff Rapids, there's a private, wooded area. Commercial rafting companies use trails here if they have a special permit. Locals also call this wooded area "Bee Cliff."
How Difficult Are the Rapids?
The difficulty of the Bee Cliff Rapids depends on how much water the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) releases from the Wilbur and Watauga Dams.
- When the TVA releases a lot of water, the Bee Cliff Rapids can be Class II or even Class III.
- Class I rapids are very easy, with small waves.
- Class II rapids have medium waves and clear paths.
- Class III rapids have bigger waves, some obstacles, and require more skill.
- Sometimes, the TVA releases extra water over the Wilbur Dam spillways, making the rapids even more exciting!
Staying Safe on the Water
There are a few things to remember for safety when paddling through the Bee Cliff Rapids:
- You must wear a life jacket and water shoes.
- The water is very cold, about 53 °F (12 °C), even in summer. This is because it comes from deep inside the dam's reservoir.
- Watch out for the "Big Hole." This is a spot where water drops over an underwater ledge. It's about 10 to 20 feet (3–6 m) from the left bank near the end of the rapids.
- Rain and wind can sometimes cause thick fog in the Siam valley.
- In the middle and right side of the rapids, there are steep underwater slides. These can easily flip a canoe.
- At the very end of the rapids, on the right bank, there's a small, sharp limestone rock sticking out of the water. It can puncture inflatable rafts.
Fun Activities at Bee Cliff
The Bee Cliff area is great for many outdoor activities! You can enjoy whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, fly fishing, and regular angling with fishing reels. The Watauga River is home to Rainbow trout, brown trout, and striped bass.
Whitewater Adventures
The Watauga River below the TVA dams is popular with companies that offer rafting trips, especially in the summer. Fishing guides also use the river all year. The beautiful Class II+ Bee Cliff Rapids are found between Wilbur Dam and the Siam Bridge, southeast of Elizabethton, Tennessee. Some North Carolina rafting companies call them the "Anaconda Rapids."
For commercial whitewater rafting and kayaking, the most popular starting point in Carter County is just below the TVA Wilbur Dam. The most popular ending point is 2 to 2½ hours downstream at the Blackbottom park in Elizabethton.
The trip from Wilbur Dam to Blackbottom is about seven miles. Here's a quick guide to how long it takes to reach different spots:
| Wilbur Dam to Bee Cliff Rapids | - 15 minutes |
| Wilbur Dam to Siam Bridge | - 45 minutes |
| Wilbur Dam to Hunter Bridge (TWRA put-in/take out) | - 75 minutes |
| Wilbur Dam to Gilbert Peters Bridge at US 19-E in Elizabethton | - 105 minutes |
| Wilbur Dam to Bristol Bridge in Elizabethton | - 135 minutes |
The Watauga River also has a section of Class IV-V whitewater. This part is upstream of Watauga Lake and is only for very experienced kayakers. It needs a lot of rain to have enough water to run. This section has continuous steep rapids and several waterfalls that only expert paddlers can handle.
TVA Recreation Areas
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has a public campground just a few minutes upstream from Bee Cliff. At the TVA Watauga Dam Tailwater Campground, you can find 29 campsites with electricity. There are also restrooms with hot showers, picnic tables, and grills. You can access the river for canoes and boats both above and below the dam. It's a great place for fishing, hiking, walking, watching wildlife, and birdwatching.
How Weather Affects the River
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) controls the flow of the Watauga River. They do this by releasing cold water from deep inside the reservoirs behind the TVA Watauga Dam and the TVA Wilbur Dam. Because of this, the water temperature at Bee Cliff is usually around 52–53°F (11–12°C) in the summer.
The Watauga River is generally comfortable for kayaking, canoeing, and rafting during the summer. However, it's important to be careful to avoid hypothermia (getting too cold) from being in the cold water for too long.
The TVA also makes sure there's enough water released in the summer for river activities below the Wilbur Dam. This means that even during dry spells, when other rivers might not have enough water, commercial whitewater rafting companies will come to the Watauga River.
Bee Cliff in Movies
In 1989, parts of the action movie Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection, starring Chuck Norris, were filmed at Bee Cliff and other places in Carter County.
For example, a long shot of Chuck Norris's character, Colonel Scot McCoy, climbing a huge cliff was filmed in the Philippines. But the close-up shot of him pausing on the cliff was actually filmed at the base of Bee Cliff. Chuck Norris and the film crew were on inflatable rafts on the Watauga River for this close-up scene.
