Paint Rock Refuge
Paint Rock Refuge, Watts Bar River Mile 575
Directions to lake access: From US 70 in Kingston, take Hwy 58 south 3.6 miles to River Road (Hwy 304). Turn right and follow River Road along the eastern shore. Also, from Rockwood, take US 27/ Hwy 29 south to Spring City for access to the western shore.
Boat Ramp access on west side of river:
Lat: 35.78624°N Long: -84.48919°W
Hours: day light hours
Seasonality: closed to all forms of trespass from 15 November through the last day of February.
Fees: none
Site Description: Forest, shrub edges, and fields are found on this 1,600 acre WMA that is adjacent to Watts Bar Lake. Boat ramp access is available via Paint Rock Road.
Wildlife to Watch: In spring and summer, Osprey are common nesting birds across the lake. They nest on poles and structures and can be viewed best by boat; however please keep a safe distance from nesting pairs to avoid disturbing them and their young. In winter, waterfowl and Bald Eagles are common. Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, and Great Egret nest on islands in the lake. White-tailed deer, raccoon, muskrat, fox, and coyote are common around the lake.
NOTE: Please refer to TWRA Hunting Guide about hunting seasons and public access dates. Access dates vary by site.
For more information:
Paint Rock Refuge map
Submit your data to eBird and help us build a list of birds seen at this site
Be sure to check out our Safety Tips page for important information regarding viewing wildlife in these areas.