The 5 Best Lakes for Boating Near Nashville, TN

One of the best-kept secrets about living in Middle Tennessee is just how much water is within driving distance of Nashville. Within two hours you have access to five major lakes covering tens of thousands of acres — from a quick Percy Priest evening cruise to a weekend escape at Dale Hollow. Here's how they stack up.

1. Percy Priest Lake — Best for Convenience

Distance from Nashville: 15 miles east of downtown

Size: 14,200 acres, 213 miles of shoreline

Percy Priest is the everyday lake. Close enough to justify a Tuesday evening after work, multiple marinas and ramps, and handles every type of boating from wake surfing to family pontoon days. The tradeoff is that it gets very busy on summer weekends — go early or mid-week for open water.

Best boats: Pontoons, tritoons, bowriders, wake boats

Read the full Percy Priest Lake boating guide.

2. Old Hickory Lake — Best for Wide Open Water

Distance from Nashville: 30 miles northeast

Size: 22,000 acres, 450 miles of shoreline

Old Hickory is bigger, wider, and less crowded relative to its size. The long main channels are excellent for wake sports and high-speed cruising. Great option for buyers in Hendersonville and Gallatin looking for boats for Old Hickory Lake.

Best boats: Tritoons, wake boats, larger bowriders

3. Center Hill Lake — Best for Scenery

Distance from Nashville: 70 miles east

Size: 18,000 acres

Tennessee's clearest water, limestone cliffs, hidden waterfalls. Worth at least one full weekend trip per summer. See the full Center Hill Lake boating guide.

Best boats: Tritoons, wake boats, bowriders

4. Dale Hollow Lake — Best for Getting Away

Distance from Nashville: ~2 hours north

Size: 27,700 acres, 620 miles of shoreline

Dale Hollow straddles the Tennessee-Kentucky border — crystal-clear water, minimal crowds, and world-record smallmouth bass fishing. Less developed than closer lakes, which is exactly the point. This is where you go to actually disconnect. Houseboating is extremely popular here.

Best boats: Tritoons, fishing boats, houseboats

5. Cheatham Lake — Best for a Quiet Day

Distance from Nashville: 45 miles northwest

Cheatham Lake runs along the Cumberland River northwest of Nashville toward Clarksville. Quieter than Percy Priest, well-suited for fishing and pontoon cruising. A good option for buyers in the Clarksville area.

Best boats: Pontoons, fishing boats, smaller bowriders

Which Lake Should You Buy a Boat For?

Most Nashville-area buyers land on Percy Priest or Old Hickory as their primary lake, then explore the others throughout the summer. One quality used boat handles all five lakes well. Come into Bill's Used Boats in Hermitage and we'll match you to the right boat for your home lake. Call (629) 245-2628.