Middle Tennessee may be known for its music roots and rolling hills, but tucked between the peaks and pastures are some of the region’s most serene, inviting, and adventure-filled lakes. Whether you're looking for a peaceful weekend on the water, a summer home with a view, or just a quick day trip to reset, these Middle Tennessee lakes offer something for everyone—from secluded coves to bustling marinas.

Here’s a roundup of the best lakes in middle Tennessee to explore:

Center Hill Lake

Best For: Wakeboarding, hiking and waterfalls, rural weekend getaways

Center Hill Lake’s emerald green waters pour into deep coves and are surrounded by ridge tops. Located just over an hour from Nashville, it’s the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Don’t miss Burgess Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, and Edgar Evins State Park - all located on the shorelines of this lake.

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Percy Priest Lake

Best For: Boating, city access, social lake life

Only 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, Percy Priest offers quick access to the water without ever leaving the metro area. It's a favorite for boaters, kayakers, and jet ski enthusiasts looking for an afternoon escape. Several marinas offer rentals, waterfront restaurants, and lively summer scenes. You’ll find a balance of family-friendly recreation and vibrant lake life.

Percy Priest Lake Marinas & Facilities

Elm Hill Marina – Full-service marina with boat slips, rentals, fuel dock, and restaurant
Four Corners Resort & Marina – Boat rentals, live music, restaurant/bar, and slips
Fate Sanders Marina – Popular with anglers; offers bait shop, slips, and boat rentals
Hamilton Creek Marina – more of a launch facility and home to sailing/kayak clubs, not a commercial marina with fuel or rentals.
Nashville Shores Marina – A resort with a marina and RV park, but it’s best known for its waterpark and vacation amenities.
Percy Priest Yacht Club – A private, member-based sailing organization—not a public marina.

Old Hickory Lake

Best For: Watersports, fishing, lakefront living

Old Hickory Lake winds through several counties northeast of Nashville and is dotted with residential communities, parks, and full-service marinas. It's a haven for bass fishing and water skiing, with easy access points in Hendersonville, Gallatin, and Lebanon. If you’re looking to blend everyday living with weekend adventure, Old Hickory offers the best of both.

Old Hickory Lake Marinas

Blue Turtle Bay Marina (Old Hickory, TN)
Sun Life-operated marina with slip rentals, boat rentals (pontoon), fuel dock, and ship’s store. Located near Old Hickory dam.
Drakes Creek Marina (Sun Life Drakes Creek) (Hendersonville, TN)
Full-service marina with secure slips, indoor dry storage, fuel, pump‑out facilities, and ship’s store.
Anchor High Marina (Hendersonville, TN)
Premier yacht harbor with covered wet slips, dry storage, gas dock, ship’s store, laundry and amenities.
Cedar Creek Marina (Mt. Juliet, TN)
Full-service marina about 25–30 minutes from Nashville. Offers wet slips up to 80 ft, fuel dock, rentals, lodging, restaurant/bar, ships’ store.
Gallatin Marina (Gallatin, TN)
Part of Rubright Marinas group; slip rentals, fuel, ship’s store, watersports and rentals; strong reputation for service on the northern lake.
Cherokee Marina & Campground (Lebanon, TN)
Full marina with covered docks, fuel, ships’ store, restaurant/bar, RV campground, launching amenities.

Dale Hollow Lake

Best For: Houseboating, wide channels, peaceful getaways

Straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky border, Dale Hollow Lake is renowned for its wide channels and quiet charm. It’s less commercialized than other lakes, making it a favorite for houseboat vacations and true “get-away-from-it-all” retreats. It's also home to the world record smallmouth bass catch—anglers, take note.

Dale Hollow Lake Marinas:

East Port Marina (Alpine, TN)
Cedar Hill Marina (Celina, TN)
Dale Hollow Marina (Celina, TN)
Holly Creek Dock / Holly Creek Marina (Celina, TN)
Hendricks Creek Resort & Marina (Burkesville, KY)
Sulphur Creek Resort & Marina (Burkesville, KY)
Wisdom Marina (Albany, KY)
Wolf River Marina (Albany, KY)
Eagle Cove Marina (Byrdstown, TN)
Star Point Resort & Marina (Byrdstown, TN)
Sunset Marina & Resort (Byrdstown, TN)
Willow Grove Resort & Marina (Allons, TN)
Mitchell Creek Marina (Allons, TN)
Horse Creek Resort & Marina (Celina, TN)

Cordell Hull Lake

Best For: Undiscovered beauty, historic towns, laid-back recreation

Less known but full of charm, Cordell Hull Lake stretches quietly along the Cumberland River near Granville and Carthage. It’s ideal for paddlers, fishermen, and campers who enjoy a slower pace. Granville’s seasonal festivals and riverfront events bring the small-town magic, while the lake itself remains beautifully unspoiled.

Cordell Hull Lake Marinas

Wildwood Resort & Marina (Granville, TN)
A full-service lakeside resort with slip rentals, fuel, restaurant, pump‑out service, boat rentals (pontoon, kayak, paddle board), lodging, and a long waterfront boardwalk.

Defeated Creek Marina & Resort (near Carthage, TN)
Located at Defeated Creek Park campground, this marina offers boat slips (up to 70 ft), fuel, pump‑out, ship store, launch ramp, cabins, and camping. A central hub for lake access on the Smith County side.

Tim’s Ford Lake

Best For: Luxury lake homes, golf and boating combos, clear deep water

Further south just outside of Winchester, Tim’s Ford is a favorite for its bass fishing, deep waters and blend of recreation. The lake is surrounded by upscale lake homes and is home to Tim’s Ford State Park, complete with cabins, campgrounds, and one of the most scenic golf courses in the region.

Norris Lake

Best For: Extended road trips, expansive shoreline, clear emerald water

While technically just east of Middle Tennessee, Norris Lake is worth the extra drive if you’re craving wide-open water, emerald clarity, and tucked-away coves. Its vast shoreline spans over 800 miles, and it's a hotspot for houseboats, wakeboarding, and multi-family vacations. The lake also houses over 20 full-service marinas.

Radnor Lake

Best For: Nature walks, wildlife photography, peaceful reflection

Unlike the larger recreational lakes, Radnor Lake is a protected natural area located just outside Nashville. Swimming, boating, and fishing are off-limits here—but that's exactly the point. Instead, it’s one of the best places in the region for scenic hikes, peaceful observation, and wildlife encounters (think otters, deer, and dozens of bird species). It’s a tranquil escape from city life without ever leaving Davidson County.

Want more travel ideas across Tennessee and beyond? Follow along for curated itineraries, local finds, and hidden destinations worth bookmarking.

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The Best Lakes in Middle Tennessee