Healthy Living, Fitness

Tellico Village - A Life with Boating Bliss

Tellico Lake boating
Published on February 11, 2019

Feeling the winter blues? You don’t have too. Find a beautiful lake community and your quality of life is likely to skyrocket. Here’s why. Living in a master-planned community that offers both boating and lake amenities has tremendous health benefits. Just getting out on the water, seeing the water, swimming in the water - it all feels good. Lake living is proven to relieve anxiety and is an easy way to disconnect from the stress while bonding with nature. Add quality time spent with your friends and loved ones, and the formula is complete. That’s why lakefront properties are so popular at retirement.

One of the finest waterfront retirement communities that reflects these attributes can be found at Tellico Village on the west side of Knoxville Tennessee. Tellico Village was developed on over 5,000-acres along the shoreline of Tellico Lake with views of The Smokies off in the distance.  There are 7,200 lakefront and golf course homes planned in the eight distinctive neighborhoods the comprise this engaging retirement community.  Approximately 4,000 homes have been built to date.

Tellico Lake is a 33-mile long lake and is part of the 652-mile Tennessee River System. From early May to September, residents use Tellico Lake fo swimming, water skiing, tubing, and just having fun along the lake’s 357 miles of shoreline. Access to the Tellico Lake is made easy from the village with the three marinas available complete with docking facilities located at the Yacht Club, Tanasi Basin and the Kahite neighborhood.

The village also has a sophisticated kayak launch and a 32-rack storage facility available for easy access to the lake.  Tellico Lake has a canal that connects Tellico and Fort Loudon lakes that allows boaters to travel by vessel to the Gulf of Mexico through the lock system. The Soggy Bottom Kayakers is a group of villagers who paddle the lake regularly, both short and long distance paddles. The Tellico Village Cruising Club has 400 members and consists of approximately 200 boats including pontoon boats, runabouts, cruisers and personal watercraft. The Tellico Boaters Assistance Response Team (T-Bart) is a large group of qualified villagers ready to provide assistance to distressed boaters.

Tellico Village Yacht and Country Club is the social hub of the community.  It is an impressive 20,400 square-foot building with three levels and expansive glass provide exceptional views of Tellico Lake.  Inside, members can enjoy lounges to relax with friends while taking in the beautiful scenery of the lake surrounded by the ridges of the Smoky Mountains. The Yacht Club is located on a peninsula overlooking Tellico Lake, adjacent to the largest marina on the property which provides guest docks for those who wish to visit by boat.  The views from The Yacht Club are majestic and give residents the perfect place to relax, socialize with neighbors, enjoy exquisite dining and celebrate the resort lifestyle offered at the Village.

There is a highly active social calendar with 60 social clubs that keep residents connected.  People love this friendly mountain retreat which provides the ideal spot to enjoy a fulfilling retirement at this all-inclusive developed property offering homes of all sizes and designs to accommodate the luxury of lakefront living.

Superb lakeside dining is offered at The Blue Heron Restaurant which offers brunches, lunches and dinners prepared by the notable chef at the Yacht Club. The 3 golf clubhouses also feature exceptional dining options giving residents multiple options for restaurant choices found conveniently within the gates. There are events held throughout the year at the Yacht Club from wine dinners to chef cook-off challenges, holiday celebrations and an engaging social calendar to keep residents active and connected.

Another perk of The Tellico Village Yacht and Country Club is its membership affiliation with Yachting Clubs of America (YCA) offering members reciprocity privileges at over 800 prestigious yacht clubs throughout the United States and the Virgin Islands including docking and dining rights in exchange for a small fee to join the YCA.  This is yet another reason why “avid boaters” choose the lifestyle offered at Tellico Village.

Tellico Lake massive 16,000-acre crystal lake is ideally situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and offers exceptional water festivities.  Boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, water sports and fishing are some of the activities enjoyed by residents of this stellar community.  Add marinas, lakeside parks, beautiful homes, impressive amenities, an active social life, friendly neighbors, exceptional dining and affordability and folks are quickly discovering that this is one of the best places to retire in Tennessee.

Baby Boomers love to stay active, not only on the water but on land as well. Besides boating, golf is another great way to stay in shape and is easy at Tellico Village with 3 championships greenways to choose from: The Links at Kahite Golf Course, The Tanasi Golf Course and The Toqua Championship Course each offering clubhouses for enjoying a mouthwatering meal or refreshing cocktail after a stimulating round of golf with fellow residents.  These courses offer spectacular play and impressive views of Tellico Lake and the surrounding mountain ranges of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Working out is also a favorite for age-defying Boomers.  The 26,000 square foot Wellness Center offers an indoor lap pool, walking track, saunas and 4 Har-Tru indoor tennis courts.  Fitness classes offer variety and keep residents healthy and engaged.  Pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi, Fit & Tone, Aqua Action, Racquetball and Basketball are just a few of the many activities offered.  The Kahite Activity Center also has a pool, 2-Har Tru tennis courts and wellness classes.  The Chota Recreation Center is 17,460 square feet and features a heated outdoor pool, a full gym, pickleball courts and a playground for kids.  Being active is the way of life at Tellico Village.

Hiking is another favorite pastime at Tellico Village with several paths that meander throughout the neighborhoods with lush greenery, towering trees and exotic wildlife.  For true adventure, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only 45 miles from the main entrance offering over 500,000 acres of natural beauty.  Each season offers spectacular outdoor excursions throughout this preserved national park which draws more than 9 million visitors annually.  The close-proximity to the Park is another reason Tellico Village is often deemed one of the “Top 10 Places to Retire” in Tennessee.

Tellico Lake provides the perfect backdrop for buying or building a home.  Lakefront properties with dockage and golf course homes with spectacular views can be found here in one of the eight neighborhoods that are offered at Tellico Village.  Chatuga, Chota, Coyatee, Kahite, Mialaquo, Tanasi, Tommotley and Toqua all feature distinctive properties with meticulous architectural designs that satisfy even the most discerning home shopper.  The Cherokee names chosen for the community represent the rich history associated with the region.  The lush rolling hills, and preserved forestry adds to the charm of living in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.  Tellico Village offers the ultimate location for retirement.  Here is a list of the amenities that can be found at the Village:

• Three 18 Hole Championship Golf Courses

• Lakefront Yacht Clubhouse with dining

• Three Golf Clubhouses with dining

• 26,000 Square Foot Wellness Center

• Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools

• 10 Tennis Courts

• 8 Pickleball Courts

• Full Service Marina with Boat Slips

• Community Parks

• New Library

When it comes to the ultimate in lakefront living, Tellico Village sets a pretty high standard for which all lake communities are measured. Take the time this Spring to explore this magical region as winter fades and wild mountain flowers blossom everywhere bringing life and a rainbow of color to the mountains.  Come by boat and experience the tranquility of living on the austere Tellico Lake, ranked third nationally as the “Best Boating Area in the U.S to Live” by Boating Life Magazine.   

Call Tellico Village directly at 888.287.0676 to schedule a tour of the lake!