Great Lakes!
Three beautiful Tennessee lakes to swim, boat, paddle, fish, and enjoy.
Old Hickory Lake
Want to get away from it all but be near the thick of things? Head to Old Hickory Lake. Hit the lake and you’ll feel worlds away from the hustle and noise of Downtown Nashville. But you’ll be only about 15 miles away.
If you do go to Old Hickory, you’ll be in good company. The lake has been home to Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, and Kelly Clarkson. Tennessee comedian Nate Bargatze taught millions the Old Hickory (his hometown) ZIP code (37138 = 37+1=38) in a massive Amazon comedy special.
Old Hickory has plenty to do outdoors— swimming, boating, and fishing. A good hub for all of it is the Blue Turtle Bay Marina for boat rentals, fuel, and a marina shop. Stay for lunch at the marina at Sam’s Sports Grill for incredible wings, pizza, burgers, and more.
Kentucky Lake
You know that little notch on Tennessee’s northern spine? That’s Kentucky Lake.
In 1944, the TVA dammed the Tennessee River in Kentucky to form the massive lake that stretches nearly 160,300 acres. Since then, Kentucky Lake has been a go-to-getaway for Tennesseans and Kentuckians alike (to the tune of nearly 17 million visits each year).
The Tennessee side is packed with marinas, resorts, and more. A quick VRBO search turned up dozens of beautiful cabins and cottages, many of them with their own boat docks.
But for a one-stop solution, check in to the beautiful Paris Landing State Park. It’s on the widest spot on the river, making it perfect for any and all water sports. There, the new 91-room Lodge at Paris Landing provides hotel, resort-style vacation rentals. The Lodge includes a restaurant, an outdoor pool, and 18-hole, par-72 golf course.
South Holston Lake
It’s hard to describe South Holston Lake as anything but picture perfect.
Its clear, placid waters are almost completely surrounded by the stunning, untouched mountains of the Cherokee National Forest. There, hundreds of mile of lake shoreline await anglers, boaters, skiers, nature lovers, friends, and families.
The Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir cover 7,580 acres with wide-open spaces for cruising in the fast lane and plenty of private coves for peaceful floats.
The lake is an easy day trip from Knoxville or Bristol. Head to the Laurel Marina to rent a boat, shop at the Ship Store, or catch a summer concert. Bristol’s Delta Blues BBQ just opened at the marina this summer to ensure blues and Memphis-style barbecue rocks the dock all summer long.
