Top 5 Lakes around Nashville

Percy Priest Lake is known as the 'Water Sports Capital' for activities like sailing, kayaking, water skiing, and wakeboarding. Old Hickory Lake is also excellent for boating, jet skiing, sailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Cheatham Lake is ideal for clear and freshwater scuba diving.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Old Hickory Lake is often called the 'Family Favorite' due to its relaxed atmosphere and 'Old Hickory Beach'. Tims Ford Lake is also an excellent choice for family outings, swimming, and sunbathing, offering primitive campsites. For a scenic walk, Strahl Lake has a family-friendly trail looping around it.

Radnor Lake State Park, just 8 miles from downtown, offers well-maintained scenic hiking trails and is perfect for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Cordell Hull Lake also provides opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. For a quiet escape, Ogle Lake features a hiking trail that snakes around its crystal-clear waters.

Center Hill Lake is renowned for its crystal-clear, deep waters, allowing visibility up to 15 feet, making it a refreshing swimming experience. Cheatham Lake is also considered one of the best places for clear and freshwater swimming near Nashville. Old Hickory Lake and Tims Ford Lake both offer sandy beach areas for swimming and sunbathing.

Many lakes offer excellent fishing. Percy Priest Lake is a prime fishing destination for bass, crappie, catfish, and bream. Old Hickory Lake holds state records for several fish species, including largemouth bass and crappie. Marrowbone Lake is a natural haven for fishing enthusiasts, stocked with trout, bass, and channel catfish. Yellowwood Lake is also known for its excellent fishing, though swimming is not permitted.

Yes, Cheatham Lake is ideal for clear and freshwater scuba diving. Center Hill Lake is also known for its crystal-clear waters, offering visibility up to 15 feet, which is great for clear water swimming and enjoying the underwater environment.

The lakes around Nashville offer year-round outdoor adventures. Spring and fall are particularly scenic, with fall foliage being especially beautiful around lakes like Strahl Lake and Ogle Lake. Summer is ideal for swimming and water sports, while cooler months are great for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Beyond water activities, the region offers diverse outdoor recreation. You can find numerous hiking trails, including easy to moderate options like the Saddle Barn Loop Trail or Aynes Loop. For cycling enthusiasts, there are routes like the Yellowwood Lake loop. Mountain biking trails, such as the North Tower Lookout loop, are also available. For more details on routes, check out the guides for Hiking around Nashville, MTB Trails around Nashville, and Cycling around Nashville.

Percy Priest Lake features three campgrounds, and Old Hickory Lake has two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds. Cordell Hull Lake includes two campgrounds (Defeated Creek and Salt Lick Creek), while Center Hill Lake and Tims Ford Lake also provide camping options, with Tims Ford offering primitive campsites for a more immersive nature experience.

Radnor Lake State Park offers a quiet, idyllic escape from city noise, perfect for those seeking tranquility and nature. Old Hickory Lake is generally considered to have a more laid-back vibe and is less crowded compared to Percy Priest Lake, even on weekends, making it a good choice for a peaceful visit.

Yes, Marrowbone Lake offers boat, battery, and trolling motor rentals, along with a bait shop on site. Many of the larger lakes like Percy Priest and Old Hickory also have marinas that provide various services, including boat rentals.

Percy Priest Lake is often considered the 'Water Sports Capital' due to its popularity for active water sports and its proximity to Nashville. Old Hickory Lake, while also offering many water activities, is generally known as the 'Family Favorite' with a more laid-back atmosphere and less crowding, making it ideal for a relaxed family day out.