Watauga County Map, North Carolina, USA

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated: November 01, 2025, 13:30 ET

Map of Watauga County - Watauga County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Watauga County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Watauga County located in the map, major cities in Watauga county, population, areas, and places of interest.

Map of Watauga County, North Carolina

About Watauga County, North Carolina

Watauga County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It's county seat is Boone. As per 2020 census, the population of Watauga County is 54234 people and population density is square miles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 313 sq mi (811 km2). Watauga County was established on 1849.

Facts about Watauga County, North Carolina

CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
RegionWestern NC / Blue Ridge Mountains (High Country)
County SeatBoone
Named AfterWatauga River (Native American word meaning “beautiful water” / “whispering waters”)
Established1849 (from parts of Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes & Yancey counties)
Coordinates~36.23° N, 81.71° W
Total Area~313.32 sq mi
Land Area~312.44 sq mi
Water Area~0.88 sq mi (≈0.28%)
Population (2020)~54,086
Estimated Population (2025)~55,000 ±
Population Rank (NC)Mid‑sized mountain county
Largest TownBoone
Main Towns & CommunitiesBoone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, Seven Devils, Valle Crucis, Deep Gap, Sugar Grove, Foscoe
Main IndustriesTourism, Education (Appalachian State University), Outdoor Recreation, Services
Major Geographic FeaturesAppalachian Mountains, Watauga River, South Fork New River, Grandfather Mountain
Time ZoneEastern Time (UTC−05:00 / −04:00 DST)
Known ForAppalachian State University, High Country scenery, outdoor recreation & ski resorts
Websitehttps://www.wataugacounty.org

Top Attractions in Watauga County, North Carolina

  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Scenic drives and overlooks.
  • Grandfather Mountain – Mile High Swinging Bridge and hiking trails.
  • Boone Downtown Historic District – Shops, dining, and local culture.
  • Appalachian Ski Mountain – Skiing and snowboarding.
  • Hawksnest Tubing & Zipline – Outdoor adventure park.
  • Daniel Boone Native Gardens – Botanical gardens and trails.
  • New River State Park – Canoeing, fishing, and trails.
  • Howard Knob – Scenic mountain views.
  • Appalachian Cultural Museum – Regional history and culture.
  • Valle Crucis Historic District – Historic village and shops.

Cities & Towns in Watauga County, North Carolina

Boone, Blowing Rock, Seven Devils, Foscoe, Zionville, Todd, Meat Camp, Vilas, Deep Gap