Mile 5–10: Tanasi Silos to Sinking Creek

A sheltered cove at Mile 5.3 that draws a crowd in summer — boaters raft off and swimmers cool off from the stern. Peaceful on weekdays; expect heavy traffic on weekends and holidays. The cove also provides water access to the East Lakeshore Trail via a small dock near Glendale Trailhead Parking Lot.

Rebuilt after fire destroyed the original structure in 2022, the Tanasi Clubhouse and docks at Mile 5.4 have become a centerpiece of Tellico Village's golf and social scene. The docks nearest the clubhouse accommodate 4–6 boats in the 18–26 ft range — a convenient stop for boaters arriving by water to visit the restaurant. From the lake, the docks are a familiar landmark and navigation reference on the south shore.

The Silos at Mile 5.4 are remnants of the farming community that once occupied this land before the lake was filled. Today they are a popular summer destination — boaters raft up and the brave and bold climb the center silo to jump. Getting there is half the adventure: access is through a tunnel (entrance sometimes submerged) leading to an interior ladder missing more than a few rungs. Not for the fainthearted — but those who make it earn the jump.

The East Lakeshore Trail is a 31-mile National Recreation Trail tracing the eastern shoreline of Tellico Lake from Tellico Dam to near Highway 411 — and boaters have rare direct access to it. Three water access points cluster near Mile 5.3: Powerline Point, Glendale Branch within Powerline Cove, and a third in the small cove just north off the Coytee Loop section.

Current conditions (verified June 2026): Two of three docks are no longer present; those access points are reachable only by wading or kayaking to shore. One dock remains but should be approached with caution. Boaters who make it ashore will find 9 connected segments and 9 trailheads spanning forests, lake views, and some of the reservoir's most scenic stretches — a hidden gem most boaters float past without knowing they could step ashore and walk it.

Tucked back on Tugaloo Drive at Mile 7.5, the Tugaloo Pavilion and Beach is a Tellico Village amenity that translates well to the water. A roped swimming area rolls onto a sandy beach, and the covered pavilion comes equipped with grills, fans, and electricity — a solid base for a day out. A spacious playground with jungle gym, slides, and kids' activities makes it a natural stop for families arriving by boat.

The Tellico Yacht Club at Mile 7.5 has anchored Tellico Village's lakefront social scene since 1987. For boaters, the draw is simple: a courtesy dock with guest docking space puts the restaurant and full event facility within easy reach by water. Expect stunning lake and mountain views, a menu that covers casual to elegant, and a venue that hosts everything from live music nights to weddings for up to 250 guests. A worthy destination in its own right — not just a landmark to pass.

Sinking Creek at Mile 8.3 marks the eastern boundary of this segment and rewards those who venture in. Originally a small stream draining farmland along the Little Tennessee River, the lower creek valley was flooded when Tellico Lake was created in 1979, forming the sheltered cove visible today. The name likely traces to water that once disappeared into limestone features underground before re-emerging downstream — a common trait among Appalachian streams sharing the name.

Boaters who time their visit between mid-May and mid-June may catch an added surprise: the underside of the bridge at the creek's end is an annual nesting site for cliff swallows, a fleeting spectacle worth the detour.

Sinking Creek Drone Footage — Mile 8.3 (Summer Pool)