Places to boat in TN

[Daren Humphries]

We have just bought our first boat (2017 Yamaha 212X) and are located in Chattanooga, TN. So far we have tested the boat in Panama City Beach, FL which was great but we are looking for places closer to home. We have put in at Wolftever boat ramp and done Harrison bay. Does anyone know of cool places to boat, anchor, grill, etc within say 100 miles of us? Thanks in advance.

 

[AndyD]

Time Ford state park in Winchester TN has a gorgeous lake!

 

[F.M.]

Tim's Ford is amazing.

 

[PeterB]

We vacationed on Dale Hollow lake last year and loved it. We have also boated on Percy Priest and Old Hickory near Nashville but Dale Hollow was our favorite TN lake. Clear water with lots of coves to stop, camp, ski etc, and plenty of places to stop for a meal.
These may be a little further than your 100 mile range, but worth checking out at some point.
Enjoy the new boat!

 

[GoVols01]

Look at Norris Lake just north of Knoxville. It's touted as the TVA's cleanest lake and it's huge.

 

[blacksapphirez]

Fontana Lake should be relatively close to yall say... 3~4hrs

one of the TVA lakes but seems to be very empty most of the times. It is close to the Tail of the Dragon!

 

[spatty99]

If you ever hit Old Hickory Lake, you can go through the lock (something like a 40' drop!), and cruise the river and stop in downtown Nashville. Awesome trip.

 

[Ismael Breton]

There are beautiful lakes in Chattanooga. I lived there when I bought my first boat. Go to Harrison Bay. Launch from Harrison Bay State Park in Ooltewah or Wolftever Creek Boat Ramp and head downtown. You'll go through the locks which is a really fun experience. Mexican restaurant is accessible from the water, called Amigos. Awesome atmosphere, and great margs. After you go through the locks you'll be on the Downtown side, other restaurants on that side as well. You can park your boat for free at some public access docks downtown and walk around the park, where riverbend is near Blue Plate and all those places. Fun times boating in Chatt town, would live there again in a heartbeat.

Lakes outside of the area you gotta tow to all of which I can vouch for:
Tim's Ford
Center Hill - This is my favorite TN lake
Norris Lake
Old Hickory - Fun, but some people call it "Old Stickery" since some debris can be found on the water most of the time. Cool "2 foot" party cove. Water is not clear, but again, it's fun.

 

[Speedling]

Norris and dale hollow for sure.

 

[Daren Humphries]

Hey thanks for the recommendation. Tim’s Ford does look great and only about 90 minutes drive from us. We would love a place that’s fairly isolated that we can pull up to and pitch a tent for the night, say a small beach area. I have looked and there is a campground but we’d like somewhere off the beaten track. Do you know if that’s possible? Cheers.

 

[GoVols01]

We would love a place that’s fairly isolated that we can pull up to and pitch a tent for the night, say a small beach area. Do you know if that’s possible? Cheers.

In that case, Percy Priest Lake has a bunch of islands you can camp on that are isolated. It’s located in the Antioch, TN area. Put your boat in at Four Corners Marina.

 

[Daren Humphries]

We vacationed on Dale Hollow lake last year and loved it. We have also boated on Percy Priest and Old Hickory near Nashville but Dale Hollow was our favorite TN lake. Clear water with lots of coves to stop, camp, ski etc, and plenty of places to stop for a meal.
These may be a little further than your 100 mile range, but worth checking out at some point.
Enjoy the new boat!

That sounds perfect! We will check that out as well as Tim's Ford. It seems everywhere you go is a state park and you're forbidden to camp... even though you leave no trace. We want to stay legal though and it's replies like yours that are welcome, especially to newcomers like us. Thanks.

 

[Daren Humphries]

In that case, Percy Priest Lake has a bunch of islands you can camp on that are isolated. It’s located in the Antioch, TN area. Put your boat in at Four Corners Marina.

Sounds good. Can you get away enough from city lights to see the stars you think?

 

[GoVols01]

Sounds good. Can you get away enough from city lights to see the stars you think?

Absolutely. We had our houseboat there for 5 years and loved that lake. The further you get away from the damn, the less predictable the depth, but if you're there during summer pool, you'll be fine just about wherever you go - especially with a jet boat.

 

[GoVols01]

If you ever hit Old Hickory Lake, you can go through the lock (something like a 40' drop!), and cruise the river and stop in downtown Nashville. Awesome trip.

This is an awesome trip! Little do people know, you must reserve and pay for a dock space downtown in advance of your trip by contacting the Nashville Municipal Riverfront Dockage department at nashvilleriverfront@nashville.gov or 615-862-8480. This way, you're sure to have a spot available, you won't get a ticket from TWRA, and you'll have the security code to the dock's gate. The locking gate prevents people from hopping on your boat and taking stuff when it's unattended.

Also, the phone number to the control office for Old Hickory damn is 615-847-3281. It's highly recommended you call them within 30 minute of needing to travel through the lock. The commercial traffic (barges) can take up to 2 hours to go through the lock, which could surely screw up your day's timeline. When you call them, tell them if you're going up or down the river and they'll prepare the lock for you in advance, if they can accommodate. This can save you 25 minutes.

The river current below the damn can be a little hairy, if you're not accustomed to it. The 1st time I made this journey, it was hair raising to dock our boat downtown against a 5mph current! It doesn't sound like much, but I was powering against the current while my wife hopped off the bow to tie the dock lines before I could power down the engines. Kinda scary!

 

[spatty99]

Agreed @GoVols01. My crew lost my anchor and line trying to steady is on the current waiting for the lock.

 

[Daren Humphries]

Tim's Ford is amazing.

There looks to be a boat ramp near Dry Creek beach on Tim's Ford lake. I was wondering if we could park overnight. I know it's probably a long shot that you'd know. We are hoping to head there tomorrow weather permitting. Cheers!

 

[F.M.]

There looks to be a boat ramp near Dry Creek beach on Tim's Ford lake. I was wondering if we could park overnight. I know it's probably a long shot that you'd know. We are hoping to head there tomorrow weather permitting. Cheers!

I don't know. Sorry.

 

[GoVols01]

A solid rule to boating is to never leave your car and trailer overnight at a non-marina boat ramp. Marinas tend to be more secure so your stuff should be ok upon your return.

 

[Daren Humphries]

I don't know. Sorry.

No problem. I guess we'll find out Thanks again for the recommendation.