The city sits along the Cumberland River in north-central Tennessee, and its natural wonders include an array of natural and artificial lakes that offer wonderful escapes from the city's everyday bustle. Keep reading to explore the best lakes near Nashville and what they have to offer, from scenic hiking trails to water recreation and more.

Nashville-Area Lakes at a Glance

• Radnor Lake: 85-acre man-made lake ideal for bird-watching and hiking. Swimming and boating are restricted, but ranger-guided canoe floats are available during summer.
• Marrowbone Lake: 60-acre lake located 19 miles from Nashville, popular among anglers. It features fishing piers, launching ramps, and an on-site bait shop.
• Percy Priest Lake: 14,200-acre reservoir just east of Nashville, offering kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, and swimming along with multiple marinas and parks.
• Tims Ford Lake: 80 miles south of Nashville, this reservoir on the Elk River is known for fishing, boating, camping, hiking trails, and an 18-hole golf course.
• Old Hickory Lake: 25 miles northeast of Nashville, the lake offers boating, swimming, fishing, and water sports. The area includes parks, sandy beaches, and a visitor center.
• Center Hill Lake: 64-mile-long reservoir with rock bluffs and waterfalls. It's popular for fishing, camping, and boating, with several marinas and campsites available.

Radnor Lake

Located about eight miles from downtown Nashville, Radnor Lake is an 85-acre man-made lake inside Radnor Lake State Park. The Louisville and Nashville Company constructed the lake in the early 1900s to provide water for steam locomotives and livestock watering pens. Today, it's one of the park's top spots for relaxation and recreation.

Some of the many bird species in Radnor Lake State Park include the Tufted Titmouse, Blue Heron, and the Carolina Chickadee, making it a great spot for bird-watching. It's also home to various amphibians and reptiles and a wide variety of mammals, such as otters and beavers. While swimming and boating are technically restricted, the lake's management offers ranger-guided interpretive canoe floats 3-4 times each week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Located in Tennessee's first-ever Class II Natural Area, Radnor Lake is surrounded by miles of trails and a wide variety of native flora and fauna. Radnor Lake State Park is located on the border of South Nashville and the Brentwood community, accessible via Otter Creek Road from 1-65. The park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 20 minutes after sunset year-round. The lake is part of the Tennessee State Park System, meaning there's no access fee. Located south of the city, it's also one of the best lakes in Brentwood.

Marrowbone Lake

Marrowbone is a small, 60-acre lake located in the small Davidson County community of Joelton, just 19 miles from downtown Nashville. The small lake is a natural haven for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts thanks to the massive array of fish species such as trout, bass, and channel catfish, as well as its well-maintained fishing piers, launching ramps, and on-site bait shop. Marrowbone is rarely crowded, meaning minimal fishing interruptions.

Visitors will need a permit to fish and can often purchase one on-site. There are also boat, battery, and trolling motor rentals available. Besides fishing, the lake itself is spectacular. The drive to the lake is characterized by winding roads with lush, deep-green vegetation, while the lake is surrounded by scenic Nashville hiking trails, a picnic area complete with tables, and even a fine dining restaurant. Marrowbone Lake is also near Nashville's popular hotspots, such as Hadley and Centennial parks, making it a fantastic spot to spend an afternoon fishing after a morning spent exploring.

Marrowbone Lake is open from sunrise to sunset every day. The bait shop is, however, typically closed on Tuesdays. Parking is free and controlled by the park's rangers, and there are no entrance fees.

Percy Priest Lake

Percy Priest Lake is a U.S. Army Corps-owned and managed lake just 10 miles east of downtown. The enormous body of water is partially located in Nashville, but portions are located in Rutherford County and Wilson County, too. It's a 14,200-acre reservoir lake formed after the Stones River was dammed in 1969. Although it's artificial, the lake's proximity to the city, its picturesque blue waters, and countless recreational opportunities make it a popular weekend getaway spot among Nashville residents, meaning it can get a bit crowded on weekends.

Activities like kayaking and paddleboarding are trendy here, thanks to organizations like the Nashville Rowing Club and the Nashville Paddle Company. There are five marinas on the location that offer boat rentals and services like gas and food. Percy Priest Lake's Anderson Road Recreation Area is home to Anderson Beach, one of the best beaches in Tennessee.

Plenty of parks and camping sites surround the lake, making it ideal for both day trips and week-long camping retreats. Fishing is also quite popular on Percy Priest Lake, with fish species ranging from striped, white, and Cherokee bass to bream, crappie, sunfish, bluegill, and trout. Visitors can always rent a boat or fish from the various bank fishing spots around the lake or at Stewart and Vivrette Creeks. Homes on Percy Priest Lake are sought-after for waterfront living in the area.

Tims Ford Lake

Located roughly 80 miles from Nashville in Lynchburg—one of the best small towns in Tennessee—Tims Ford Lake is a reservoir lake managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The organization built the reservoir on the Elk River, and it has a water level of about 15 feet. The lake is mainly used for power generation but is also a recreational area popular for fishing, thanks to the broad range of fish species from bass to bluegill.

With nearly 265 miles of shoreline, fishing can be done from anywhere along the banks of the lake. There's even a Lake View Marina offering boat rentals, ramps, a courtesy dock, a snack and bait shop, a fish cleaning area, canoes, and kayaks.

This lake in Middle Tennessee is surrounded by one of the best state parks near Nashville, Tims Ford State Park. This park features nearly seven paved miles and 22 miles of natural trails for exploration. There's even an 18-hole golf course in the park that's part of the Tennessee Golf Trail. Most Tennessee parks have no access fees, but you might be charged for special activities at Tims Ford Lake.

Old Hickory Lake

Old Hickory Lake is a reservoir lake on the Cumberland River, bordered by outer Nashville and Mount Juliet to the south and by the Hendersonville community to the north. The lake was formed when Old Hickory Lock and Dam was constructed. It is named after President Andrew Jackson, who was nicknamed Old Hickory. With over 400 miles of shoreline, this reservoir lake offers nearly infinite recreational opportunities ranging from boating, wading, swimming, and fishing to water sports like water skiing and wakeboarding.

Whether visiting on a hot day or living in one of Hendersonville's best neighborhoods, Old Hickory Lake provides endless entertainment. The lake's beach area is especially popular as it features a beautiful sandy patch where visitors can enjoy picnics and sunbathe after swimming or skiing. There's a visitor center with resources and exhibits where first-time visitors can learn all about Old Hickory Lake. But that's not all: the lake area is home to numerous animal and plant species, including large populations of birds, making it perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.

Thanks to the area's pristine environment, endless attractions, and proximity to Nashville parks like Net Caldwell and Bledsoe Creek, homes on Old Hickory Lake are highly sought-after. Old Hickory Lake is accessible via 1-65 to TN 45 from Nashville. Like some of the best lakes near Nashville, it is also open throughout the year. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides a day-use pass for $5 per vehicle for selected recreation areas in the park, such as Old Hickory Beach.

Center Hill Lake

Created in 1948 as a reservoir for a dam for power generation and flood control by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Center Hill Lake is an excellent spot to visit. The 64-mile artificial lake is characterized by natural features such as rock bluffs and multiple waterfalls, making it the perfect place to spend time reconnecting with nature. While it's close enough to the Nashville metro to make day trips a breeze, living on the lake has massive appeal thanks to the variety of relatively affordable homes on Center Hill Lake.

The lake is particularly popular among anglers thanks to the assortment of fish species, including various types of bass and many others, such as sunfish, walleye, and catfish. Tennessee fishing licenses are available online through the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency but can also be purchased from state-wide outdoor retailers. The Hidden Harbor Marina near the lake offers fishing, pontoon, and houseboat to cabin rentals. Camping sites mean visitors can always turn their time here into camping instead of a day trip.

The lake is located about 70 miles east of Nashville and just 45 miles from Murfreesboro. Visitors can purchase a variety of passes, including $5 day-use passes and $80 lifetime passes for seniors.

Explore Nashville's Best Lakes

Despite being a landlocked city, Nashville has a variety of beautiful lakes, making it easy to spend a day on the water. From natural to artificial and relatively small to large, each lake has its unique charm and provides access to endless recreational opportunities. Whether you're shopping for lakefront homes in Nashville or simply looking to spend an afternoon on the water, the best lakes in Music City are sure to satisfy.

If the opportunities of Nashville excite you, contact The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage with Nashville's MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in touch with local real estate agents who can help find the perfect Nashville home for you today.

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