Watauga County Rest Area – US-221
US-221 travelers in North Carolina can pull in at Watauga County Rest Area. It is listed as accessible from both directions of travel.
Location map
Marker shows recorded coordinates, not an entrance or approved driving route. Follow highway signs.
Open directionsReported parking capacity
Reported capacity from OpenStreetMap. This is not real-time vacancy information.
Facilities and amenities
Unknown (not documented in the sources): Pet area, Vending machines, Public phone, RV dump station, EV charging, Wi-Fi, Playground, Visitor information.
A reported facility does not guarantee current availability.
About this rest area
Watauga County Rest Area is a stop on US-221 in North Carolina, reachable from both directions. For closures before a long drive, check 511 or the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Location and driving direction
The rest area is accessible from both directions of US-221.
Parking and amenities
Car parking: 2 reported spaces (OpenStreetMap).
According to the available records, you will find:
- Restrooms
- Family restroom
- Accessible facilities
- Drinking water
- Picnic tables
Space counts describe reported capacity, not live parking availability.
Opening hours
Listed opening hours: 24 hours a day, every day (NCDOT).
Time limits and overnight parking
North Carolina publishes no rest area stay limit, but under state law a vehicle left on a highway right-of-way, including rest areas, for 24 hours or more may be removed and stored by a law-enforcement officer. Always follow the limit posted on site. Source: N.C.G.S. § 20-161(e) (checked November 2026).
Coordinates
36.145932, -81.702675
Frequently asked questions
Are there restrooms and drinking water?
Yes, both are included in the amenities listing.
Is this rest area open 24 hours?
Yes, it is listed as accessible 24 hours a day by NCDOT.