Your Guide to Water Activities in Tennessee

Featured in this Article:

Sailing Spots in Tennessee
Where to Fish in Tennessee
Paddling and Boating in Tennessee
Tennessee Marinas
 

Cruise over to Montgomery Bell State Park to unwind and enjoy boating on the park’s three lakes.

• This lake vacation is 35 miles near Nashville 

• Montgomery Bell offers a wide range of water activities to escape on a summer oasis including paddling down Lake Acorn

• Boating around Lake Woodhaven

• Swim at the area’s swim beach

• Visitors can also spend a day fishing for bass, brim, catfish and more

• End the water-filled day at the park’s full-service, lakeside restaurant where visitors can take in sunset views overlooking Lake Acorn and dine on classic Southern cuisine

• Parking: Available throughout the stat park including near the park office, Church Hollow Area, Woodhaven Spillway and Lake Woodhaven Picnic Shelter

• Accessibility

• Norris Lake

If the mountains are calling, head to East Tennessee and set up camp at Norris Lake, 53 miles south of Knoxville. With over 34,000 acres of clear, blue waters surrounded by Tennessee’s scenic mountains, it’ll quickly become your dream lake vacation.

• Cleanest lake in Tennessee, classified by Tennessee Valley Authorities System

• Campsites nearby to fully maximize your lake vacation

• Over 22 marinas to dock your boat, fill up on gas, grab a snack or drink or spend the evening having dinner and enjoying live music at one of the waterfront marina restaurants

• The lake is also open to all swimmers, classified as the cleanest lake in the state by the Tennessee Valley Authorities System

• Peak season: Late spring through summer

• Parking: Ample parking at Norris Dam State Park, marinas and campgrounds located around the lake. Boat ramps also have parking for visitors

• Accessibility at Norris Dam State Park

• Pickwick Landing State Park – Counce 

For the idyllic lake in Tennessee for your family vacation, consider spending it at Pickwick Landing State Park.

• One of pro-fisherman’s Bill Dance’s favorite fishing spots in Tennessee

• Pickwick Landing State Park offers pontoon rentals. Rent a boat, kayak or canoe

• Consider soaking up some rays and cooling off in the water at the park’s two miles of beaches

• Tee off at Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course that overlooks the lake

• Peak season: April - September

• Parking: Ample and accessible parking is located around the park, including near the aviary and park office

• Accessibility at Pickwick Landing State Park

Go fishing and boating down Chickamauga Lake.

Plan to catch catfish, largemouth bass, crappie or bluegill fish

36,000 acres of lake stretching across 810 miles of shoreline

Make it a fishing vacation by staying at Harrison Bay State Park which stretches out among 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake’s shoreline

Set up camp, dock the boat at the park’s marina, rent a paddle board and spend the afternoons biking, hiking and golfing

Peak season: March - June

Parking: Varies by location around the lake. State parks offer parking throughout the parks and around marinas like Chickamauga Marina and Harbor Lights Marina

Accessibility: Accessible kayak/canoe launch, wheelchair-friendly restrooms and accessibility fishing piers are located around the lake. Harrison Bay State Park has an accessible fishing pier, marina, bottle filling station and wheelchair-friendly restrooms and parking

• Scenic City Fishing Charters – Chattanooga

Spending the weekend in Chattanooga with an itch to hit the open waters? Look into Scenic City Fishing Charters.

• Seven certified U.S. Coast Guard captains as guides

• They provide the boat, all fishing equipment, lures, bait and water

• You provide your own food, sunscreen and Tennessee fishing license

• Offers 4-, 6- and 8-hour fishing trips

• Peak season: Trips offered year-round. Trophy fishing is generally best March - May

• Accessibility: Call to share accessibility needs

• Reelfoot Lake – Tiptonville

Venture out west to Tiptonville for 15,000 acres of breathtaking scenic beauty at one of the “Natural Wonders of the World,” Reelfoot Lake.

• Tennessee’s only naturally-made lakes

• Fishing on the lake gleans ream, catfish, crappie, bass and bluegill

• Reelfoot Lake State Park is surrounded by endless cypress trees and plant species

• Consider joining one of the park naturalists on a guided bald eagle and waterfowl tour

• Rent a canoe

• Spend your nights at the campsites along the shoreline

• Peak season: Spring through early summer

• Parking: Various parking available at the visitor center, picnic areas and a large parking lot is located at the end of McCutchon Road, providing lake views and access to a boardwalk

• Accessibility at Reelfoot Lake State Park

Discover the good life as you paddle along the Buffalo River in Linden, about 72 miles west of Nashville.

• Over 125 miles

• Buffalo River is ideal for kayaking or canoeing

• There are many places along the way that provides not only rentals but also campsites including Buffalo Bud’s Canoe, Kayak & Campground and Buffalo River Resort

• Peak season: March - July

• Parking: Many river access points and campgrounds offer parking

• The Lost Sea - Sweetwater

The Lost Sea is unlike any water adventure.

• Named “America’s Largest Underground Lake” by the Guinness Book of World Records

• Embark 300 ft. underground to experience the history and captivating topographical structures of the caverns

• Your tour happens while floating in a glass-bottom boat

• Recognized by the U.S. Department of Interior as a Registered Natural Landmark

• Peak season: May - August

• Parking; Ample parking is onsite

Whitewater Rafting in Tennessee

• For an extreme paddling adventure, experience whitewater rafting in Tennessee

• Easy drive from Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Huntsville, and Birmingham

• Ocoee River and Pigeon River offer 2025 whitewater rafting adventures

• Ocoee River located near Chattanooga is one of the top whitewater rivers in the United States

• The upper section includes the 1800-foot long Olympic course that challenged the world's best paddlers

• Both the upper and middle sections are open for guided raft trips giving you 11 miles of Class III-IV rapids

• Half and full day trips available

• Enjoy the stunning Great Smoky Mountains scenery while having the ultimate whitewater adventure on the Pigeon River

• On the Upper Pigeon River, you’ll experience 5 miles of Class III and Class IV rapids

• The Lower Pigeon trip features Class I rapids, a few Class II and one Class III rapids, ideal for families with children as young as three years old

• Find outfitters along the Pigeon River

• Mississippi River Expeditions - Memphis

Grab your friends and family for a fun adventure on the Mississippi River as you paddle along in a made-for-big-water canoe.

• Take a professionally guided canoe trip with Mississippi River Expeditions and see Memphis from a different point of view.

• Choose the area of the river you'd like to explore and your guide will make sure you have the best time

• Hour-long overnight, multi-day expeditions

• Sunset cruises

• Full-day trips

• Sailing canoe trips features a big canoe fitted with a sail attachment

• Peak season: June - August

• Accessibility: Call Mississippi River Expeditions for accessibility details

• Memphis Riverboats - Memphis

If sailing is more your vibe, Memphis Riverboats offers an authentic riverboat cruise along the Mississippi River.

• 90-minute sightseeing cruise

• Two-hour Sunday Blues lunch tour

• Dinner & Music 2-hour tour

• The sightseeing cruise includes entertaining historical commentary, beautiful views of Memphis, snacks drinks and alcohol for purchase and indoor and outdoor seating

• Peak season: June - August

• Parking: The closest, paid lot is located at 91 Promenade, Memphis, TN 38103

• Accessibility: The most accessible boat is the Island Queen. Call 901-527-2628 for specific information

Located only an hour outside of Nashville on Cordell Hull Lake, Wildwood Resort & Marina transports its guests immediately to vacation mode.

• Enjoy the two waterfront restaurants on the property

• Live music by local musicians

• Accommodations include tiny cabins, waterfront inn, houseboats, lake homes and vintage Airstream village

• Peak season: Spring - Fall with scaled down lodging, restaurant and cafe hours in the winter

• Parking: Free self-parking is available for guests. A boat ramp with a small fee for 23 boat parking spaces is also available

• Accessibility: The room called Hickory (16) in the Lakeside Inn is ADA-compliant

• Pebble Isle Marina – New Johnsonville

Spend a great family vacation on the lake at Pebble Isle Marina in New Johnsonville .

• Overlooks Kentucky Lake

• Accommodations include 50 RV sites with electric, city water and sewer service

• 200 covered boat slips and 12 uncovered slips. Can accommodate boats up to 100 feet in length

• Located near Johnsonville State Historic Park

• Convenient access to the delicious food at waterfront restaurant, Grey Heron Grill

• Grey Heron has a wide range of sandwiches, catfish and steaks

• Peak season: Summer

• Parking: Upper gravel parking lot, daily parking permits for visitors. Courtesy car is available for guests to use to explore the surrounding area

• Euchee Marina & Resort – Ten Mile

Euchee Marina Resort & Campground is the perfect lakeside vacation in Tennessee.

• Located on one of the largest lakes in the South, Watts Bar Lake

• On-site amenities include floating cabins, camping sites and boat slips

• Have a meal at the marina’s Euchee Grill & Brewhouse with craft beers on tap, an extensive menu of food including seared Barramundi and breathtaking views

• Peak season: Late spring to early fall

• Parking: Available onsite

Start planning your water getaway to Tennessee with even more activities to do on the water.