Guidebook - Skipping Stones Getaway
Since 2011 our family has been rebuilding this home from the ground up, and we are humbled to be able to share it with you. We love this location; the lake is incredible, and the neighborhood is fantastic. We hope you find the same, make great memories here, come back for years to come, and have nothing short of a 5-star experience.
This guidebook should answer many of your questions, but we're here if you need us. We know perfect doesn't exist, but we're committed to making your stay as close to perfect as possible. If anything isn't right, please let us know immediately via text at 423-454-2494 (it's the best way to reach us, as cell service can be spotty), and we'll do our best to assist you.
Visit us at WataugaLakeVacations.com to save on your next stay and join our community Facebook group Watauga Lake Living.
Check-in
4:00 PM
Check-out
11:00 AM
Text your hosts
Address for 911
296 Campbell Rd, Butler TN 37640
Scan for the digital copy
Searchable on your phone, with tap-to-call numbers.
WataugaLakeVacations.com/SS-Guidebook
Four things that matter most
Septic system — only flush pee, poop and toilet paper.
Bag all trash; cans by the air conditioner, lid latched.
No wake in the cove or within 200 ft of any dock.
Hot tub: no glass, no shoes, cover on and locked.
Most asked
How does the hot tub work?
Cover on and locked when not in use. Five people max, no glass, no shoes. Plastic drinkware is provided.
Where does the trash go?
Bag it, then into the cans on the concrete by the air conditioner. Make sure the lid is closed.
What can I flush?
You're on septic. Pee, poop and toilet paper only — no wipes, feminine products, diapers or cotton balls.
The string lights are off.
The outlet by the dock walkway has tripped. Open the cover on your right and press Reset.
Do kids need life jackets?
TWRA requires children under 13 to wear one, and everyone must have a life jacket with them on the water.
Can I use the indoor fireplaces?
The indoor fireplaces are off April 1 – September 30. Otherwise 30 minutes per use, never for heating. The outdoor firepit is fine year round.
Emergency
Read this first
Give this address: 296 Campbell Rd. Butler TN 37640 · Carter County · near Little Milligan Community Center.
Hosts John, Christie & Donaven: 423-454-2494
Fire extinguishers are under every sink. A first aid kit is in the 2nd floor bathroom.
Emergency services (minutes away)
Directions
From Hampton, take US-321 S towards Butler, TN; take R on US-321 S towards Boone NC. Go 2 miles, turn L onto Moody Rd (sign missing), & immediately R on Campbell Rd (sign missing). Go 1 mile; turn R on driveway beside 290 (small brown cabin next to road); keep R at fork down to 296 Campbell Rd.
One helpful detail
When giving directions, mention that we are just up the road from Little Milligan Community Center. There is also an RD Campbell Rd on the opposite side of the lake, and it can cause confusion for anyone unfamiliar.
Inside the house
Cleaning supplies
Step stool, broom, and dustpan next to the washing machine. There are cleaning supplies under the sinks as well as a vacuum cleaner and other cleaning supplies in the utility cabinet on the first floor just to the left of the bench. Also, under each vanity are some extra towels for any cleanups.
Heat & air conditioning
Make yourself comfortable, but know if the doors or windows are left open, the system will automatically shut off until closed. To change the setting, press the temperature on the screen and then + or − to set the temperature, and then press the temperature to exit.
Blankets
Extra blankets are in closets and lift-top coffee table on the 2nd floor.
Garden tub
Enjoy the garden tub, lights, and bubbler. We don't recommend bubble bath. Note: the tub has a built-in cleaning cycle that runs 20 minutes after the tub drains. Chances are, it will startle you when it turns on!
Laundry
All Free & Clear Laundry detergent is available. When not in use, please leave the detergent tray open a few inches, and DO NOT close the washer door completely.
Trash
There are extra kitchen trash bags in the kitchen under the sink. BAG all trash and put it outside in the cans on the concrete by the air conditioner. Ensure the lid is closed.
Septic and bath tissue
You are on septic and will greatly enjoy our flushing toilets. Only flush, pee, poop, and toilet paper. DO NOT flush feminine products, flushable wipes, diapers, cotton balls, dreams, toys, or goldfish. Extra toilet paper is in vanities and in drawers beside the toilet on the 3rd floor.
Indoor fireplaces
Fireplaces are off from April 1 – September 30 and may not be used. Use should be limited to 30 minutes per use and not used for heating, or you may find the carbon monoxide detectors interrupting your peaceful stay.
Outside
Firepit
Roasting forks, wood, and fire starter materials can be found in the box by the fire pit. Ensure your fire does not pose a wildfire risk. Please cover the fire pit when it cools, and keep the wood box closed & latched securely.
Umbrellas
Keep the umbrellas closed and Velcro tied when not in use to prevent damage.
String lights
Come sunset, these lights come on and off automatically. If they don't, the outlet may have tripped. Easy fix. Take steps down to the dock, before you step onto the walkway, there is an outlet on your right. Open the cover and press the Reset button. If they don't come on, press the black button on the controller, but DO NOT hold the button.
Motion lights
There are motion lights on each corner of the house that you can turn on/off. The switch is located on the 3rd floor balcony wall just to the right of the door.
Hot tub
No glassware, footwear, jumping or urinating in the Hot Tub. 5 person maximum. No unsupervised minors. Plastic wine glasses and drinkware have been provided for your use in and around the hot tub. $3,500 fee for broken glass, $400 fee for damaged cover. Keep the floating sanitizer in the tub and do not tamper with it. Ensure the cover is on and locked when not in use.
Cooking & kitchen
Grill and griddle
Feel free to use the grill and griddle; there are utensils for both under each. The griddle is cast iron and requires some special care and seasoning; if you are not familiar with taking care of a cast iron griddle, please do not use it. Grease from the griddle can be soaked up with paper towels and put into the trash. Or, if you are going to have a fire, put it in the firepit.
Appliances
Coffee maker, coffee grinder, hot water kettle, hand mixer, stand mixer, blender, toaster, crock pot, iron, cooler, and ice maker.
Pizza oven
There is a hose and quick connect fitting if you would like to hook up the pizza oven instead of the griddle or grill. There is a pizza peel, cutter, and spatula stored in the cabinet to the left of the stove.
Kitchen essentials
The kitchen is fully stocked with cookware, bakeware, utensils, and serving dishes. Basic spices, oils, and condiments are available. Please help yourself to coffee, tea, and filters.
On the water & activities
Water sports
You have 3 kayaks, a paddle board, paddle boat, canoe, water noodles, and a variety of life jackets. TWRA requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket; everyone must have a life jacket with them while on the water. NO WAKE permitted in cove or within 200 feet of any dock or shoreline.
No wake zone
No wake inside the red line — the cove, and within 200 ft of any dock or shoreline.
Tubing / knee boarding / skiing
Want to add some thrills to your stay? Rent our power sports equipment package for $150, and it's yours for the whole vacation! Just let us know if you're interested.
Extra paddleboards & kayaks
Need an extra paddleboard or kayak for your stay? We have additional paddleboards and kayaks available for rent for $50 each for the duration of your stay. Please reach out to your hosts for details.
Fishing
Fishing is a great way to relax! No license is needed for kids under 13. Adults can easily purchase one online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com or at nearby Walmart and Food City in Elizabethton.
TV
Amazon Prime, Roku, and Netflix are available but no over-the-air channels. Login to your own apps if you like.
Games
Game cabinet is to the left of the back door on the first floor. We also have corn hole boards outside and bags in the game cabinet. The 1st-floor tabletop is also a card table.
House rules
We're here to help you relax and enjoy your stay, but we do have a few simple rules to ensure everyone has a great time.
House & safety
Smoking, events, parties, and unregistered guests (or visitors) are prohibited.
Quiet Hours after 10pm. Please turn off any outdoor speakers.
You are on septic and will enjoy our flushing toilets. Only flush, pee, poop, and toilet paper. DO NOT flush feminine products, flushable wipes, diapers, cotton balls, toys, or goldfish.
Indoor fireplace use should be limited to 30 minutes per use and not used for heating. This does not apply to the outdoor firepit, which you can use year round.
Lake & outdoors
Upper sundeck of the dock is off limits.
NO WAKE is permitted in the cove or within 200 ft of any dock or shoreline.
Use the colorful towels on the 1st floor for the lake, NOT the white towels.
DO NOT leave food or trash outside; you are in the national forest with wildlife everywhere.
All trash must be bagged & put in bin with lid securely latched; $100 fee for trash cleanup.
Hot tub — fees apply
No glassware, footwear, jumping or urinating in the Hot Tub. 5 person maximum. No unsupervised minors. $3,500 fee for broken glass, $400 fee for damaged cover. Keep the floating sanitizer in the tub and do not tamper with it. Ensure the cover is on and locked when not in use.
Nearby
Numbers on the right are drive time in minutes from the house.
Groceries
Min
Dollar General 4.3★ · 423-768-2395
100 Fish Springs Rd, Hampton
8
Food City 4.5★ · 423-542-2921
920 Broad St, Elizabethton
28
Ingles Markets 4.3★ · 423-542-7391
768 W Elk Ave, Elizabethton
27
Walmart 4.1★ · 423-543-4760
1001 Over Mountain Dr, Elizabethton
29
Coffee & snacks
Min
The Crabby Cafe 4.2★ · 423-483-5650
3266 US-321, Hampton
7
The Coffee Company 4.7★ · 423-542-3438
444 E Elk Avenue, Elizabethton
27
Boat & jet ski rentals
Min
Cove Ridge Marina 4.5★ · 423-768-3760
947 Piercetown Rd, Butler
12
Fish Springs 4.6★ · 423-768-2336
191 Fish Springs Rd, Hampton
9
Lakeshore 4.5★ · 423-725-5276
2285 Highway 321, Hampton
12
Vet Adventures 4.9★ · 804-322-3688
Jet skis, at Lakeshore Marina
12
Dining
Min
The Crabby Cafe 4.2★ · 423-483-5650
3266 US-321, Hampton
7
Butler Trading Post 4.4★ · 423-281-1078
162 Piercetown Rd, Butler
9
Maddy Moe’s Pizza 4.5★ · 423-281-1159
142 Rainbolt St, Butler
10
Monsoon Thai 4.5★ · 423-768-3327
10630 Hwy 67 W, Butler
16
La Cucina 4.8★ · 423-440-9946
6811 Hwy 67 W, Mountain City
21
Puerto Nuevo 4.5★ · 423-712-2272
1361 US-19E, Elizabethton
25
Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria 4.7★ · 423-518-1500
610 E Elk Ave, Elizabethton
26
Red Chili 4.6★ · 423-213-2104
115 S Sycamore St, Elizabethton
26
El Charolais 4.5★ · 423-543-2033
508 Broad St, Elizabethton
27
Breweries & winery
Min
Watauga Lake Winery 4.9★ · 423-768-0345
6952 Big Dry Run Rd, Butler
21
Riverside Taphouse 4.8★ · 423-213-5564
635 E Elk Ave, Elizabethton
26
Atlantic Ale House 4.6★ · 423-328-2169
111 McClure St, Johnson City
41
Watauga Brewing 4.7★ · 423-631-5150
142 W Market St, Johnson City
41
YEE-HAW Brewing 4.7★ · 423-328-9193
126 Buffalo St, Johnson City
41
Johnson City Brewing 4.8★ · 423-930-4186
257 E Main St, Johnson City
42
Tennessee Hills 4.9★ · 423-930-3041
127 Fox St, Jonesborough
42
Things to do
Min
Moody Rd, Butler
6
Watauga Lake Fishing Adventures 5★ · 423-483-6212
George · Lakeshore Marina
12
Sugar Hollow Retreat 4.8★ · 888-316-0607
5793 US-321, Butler
14
US-321, Hampton
15
US-321, Hampton
17
Elizabethton
33
Elizabethton Golf Course 4.0★ · 423-542-8051
185 Buck Van Huss Rd, Elizabethton
35
Bristol Motor Speedway 4.7★ · 423-989-6900
151 Speedway Blvd, Bristol
36
Roan Mountain State Park 4.8★ · 423-547-3900
527 TN-143, Roan Mountain
36
Quantum Leap Trampoline 4.5★ · 423-928-5327
117 E King St, Johnson City
40
Rock Dimensions 4.8★ · 828-265-3544
1315 Blowing Rock Rd, Boone
41
Mountain Glen Golf Club 4.6★ · 828-733-5804
1 Club house Dr, Newland
46
Unaka Mountain Rd, Erwin
63
Maps and anything we add later
Google Maps lists for food, drinks and things to do: WataugaLakeVacations.com/SS-Guidebook
Before you go
Check-out time: 11:00 AM
Reviews
Your feedback means the world to us! We hope you had a 5-star experience, but if something didn't quite meet your expectations, please text us at 423-454-2494, so we can make it right for your next stay.
★★★★★ We want to come back
★★★★☆ Some things could be improved
★★★☆☆ Major issues
★★☆☆☆ Needs significant improvement
★☆☆☆☆ Unacceptable conditions
Thanks again for staying with us. Don't forget, booking direct at WataugaLakeVacations.com can save you on your next visit. We hope to see you again soon.
Cheers — John, Christie & Donaven