7 Best Tennessee Lakes for Lakefront Property

Not everyone first thinks of Tennessee as a state for waterfront living. People typically consider it for its mountains. However, Tennessee will surprise you with an incredible number of waterways thanks to its network of rivers, creeks, and reservoirs. Combined, the state has about half a million acres of lakes and 50,000 miles of streams and rivers.

What does that mean for you, the home buyer? You can take advantage of Tennessee’s incredible housing affordability and low property tax rates to find a stunning waterfront property. Sure, it may not be an ocean, but the waterfront you choose may have scenic mountain views or place you near a thriving but low-cost city. It’s really the best of two worlds.

Find these lakes and rivers spread across the state, from the Appalachian Mountains across the rolling foothills to the western plains and the mighty Mississippi.

Of course, not all lakes and rivers have waterfront access or property for sale. Some reservoirs the US Army Corps of Engineers created do not permit residential structures along the shoreline. But there are plenty of waterfront homes for you to check out. Try these top lakes.

Norris Lake

Probably the star of all the lake options, Norris Lake is one of Tennessee’s cleanest lakes. Not only is it clean, but this man-made reservoir formed by the damming of the Clinch River is massive! With 34,000 acres of water and 800 miles of shoreline, Norris Lake pushes up the Powell and Clinch Rivers.

Located in northeastern Tennessee, the Cumberland Mountains surround Norris Lake, giving you sparkling deep blue water and scenic views. Large sections of the shoreline are kept pristine thanks to wildlife management areas, three state parks, and 59 public access sites. Find eagles, deer, herons, and more along the expansive shoreline.

But it’s not all rural. With 21 marinas, the lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water sports. People even come for scuba diving!

Just 20 miles from Knoxville, it’s convenient to a large metro area with an airport for easy transport, work, and live entertainment. Some properties are vacation homes catering to weekends away from the Knoxville hustle, but plenty are owned by full-timers who love the peacefulness of lake living. Anderson is the closest community to the lake, while Maynardville or New Tazewell may be closer for your shopping needs depending on where you buy along Norris Lake.

Douglas Lake

Discover the beauty and excitement of Douglas Lake, nestled in the scenic foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. With over 1.7 million visitors each year, this stunning location draws people for boating, fishing, camping, and swimming all year round. The waters cover 30,400 acres and run 43 miles back from the Douglas Dam.

Located near the mountain towns of Sevierville, Dandridge, Newport, and White Pine, Douglas Lake is conveniently situated for exploring popular tourist towns like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

As the top crappie lake in East Tennessee and one of the top five in the nation, Douglas Lake is ideal for fishing enthusiasts. It’s also ranked in the top 10 for largemouth bass and regularly hosts professional tournaments in the spring and fall.

For nature enthusiasts, the Rankins Bottom area is a must-see birding spot in East Tennessee. The French Broad River, Pigeon River, and Nolichucky River feed this magnificent lake and are also destinations for fly fishing and whitewater rafting.

Most of the lake is highly rural, with large swaths owned by the TVA. However, there are developed sections with lake views and access, making owning a home on Douglas Lake a real treat.

Chickamauga Lake

Situated along the Tennessee River by Chattanooga, Chickamauga Lake is known for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. Lonely Planet has ranked it among the “Best in the US” because of its quality fishing and access to big-city amenities.

It lies between two dams, the Watts Bar and the Chickamauga Dam, for 57 miles and 36,200 water acres. When you add together the Tennessee River and tributaries, Chickamauga Lake has over 800 miles of shoreline.

The southern end is more abundant with jet skiing and power boating, as it’s closer to Chattanooga and its suburbs. As you move away from the Watts Bar Dam, the lake shore has eight scenic parks and two wildlife areas. The varied habitat is home to many fish species, with several bass types, walleye, sunfish, and sauger.

If you want to settle down, the lakefront has plenty of spacious estates in quiet neighborhoods and towns. Chattanooga surrounds the lower end of the reservoir, including the suburbs of Harrison and Lakesite. The smaller town of Dayton is about midway on the lakefront.

Kentucky Lake

Known for its vast size and excellent fishing, Kentucky Lake is a paradise for water enthusiasts. Although most of Kentucky Lake lies in Kentucky, it extends miles into western Tennessee, making it another option for stunning lakefront properties.

TVA built the dam on the Tennessee River in 1944 for flood control and electricity generation. The resulting lake is massive, with a whopping 2,000+ miles of shoreline and 160,000 acres of water, earning it the status among the largest artificial lakes in the US. Sections of the lake are two miles wide!

A good chunk of that shoreline is in Tennessee. Large parts are protected as the Big Sandy Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, and smaller historic parks and recreation areas. But the lake is also highly accessible, with multiple marinas and public boat ramps.

On the Tennessee side, the lakefront towns include Big Sandy, Dover, and New Johnsonville. These small towns have few permanent residents and tend to cater to vacation homes. Properties tend to be rural, making for a rustic lakefront retreat.

Old Hickory Lake

Named after Tennessee native and 7th US President Andrew Jackson, whose nickname was “Old Hickory,” this reservoir is conveniently just a few miles northeast of Nashville. And the former President’s home, The Hermitage, is near the Cedar Creek Campground off the lake.

The waterway is a part of the Cumberland River, so it winds and twists following the riverbed. Formed by the Old Hickory Lock and Dam constructed in 1952, the lake section stretches for about 97 miles and covers approximately 22,000 acres with water.

If you’re looking for waterfront fun, Old Hickory Lake won’t disappoint. Eight commercial marinas plus many other public access areas help locals get out on the lake for a day of sailing, paddle boating, or pleasure craft. The lakefront facilities include camping, pier fishing, and hiking at the parks surrounding the lake. Visitors can spot diverse wildlife, including waterfowl and wading birds, making it a perfect spot for photography and bird-watching.

But it’s also easier to find homes along this lake’s shoreline. A large part of Hendersonville, TN, is lakefront, and several other towns and neighborhoods increase your choices. The western shoreline is closer to Nashville, more developed, and has more housing options. As you head eastward, there are more parks and undeveloped lands.

Percy Priest Lake

Another Nashville region lake, Percy Priest Lake, frames the east side of Nashville and its suburbs. The proximity attracts locals for water sports and outdoor activities.

The Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Stones River, creating a lake covering 14,000 acres and running for 42 miles.

The western shoreline is more developed and has five commercial marinas and at least seven public boat launches. The surrounding parks have camping, horseback riding, hiking, and biking facilities. You’ll spot sailboats, rowing boats, water skiing, wakeboarding, and fisherman casting for bass and trout on the waters.

One of its best perks is that the lake is about 15 minutes from Nashville, depending on where you buy a home. It’s also beside the suburbs of La Vergne and Smyrna. Percy Priest Lake is Nashville’s easiest choice for lakefront and waterfront living. Lakefront communities include Woodland Point, Harbour Town, Priest Lake Park, Villages of Long Hunter, and Forest Ridge.

Tellico Lake

Tellico Lake has been a hidden gem on the Little Tennessee River, but that secret is getting out if the new developments along its peninsulas and shores are any indication. It was formed in 1980 when the Tellico Dam was completed. The waters extend 33 miles into the Little Tennessee and 20 miles up the Tellico Rivers. A canal connects it to Fort Loudoun Lake.

With 357 miles of shoreline, this East Tennessee wonder has a reputation for cleanliness. The reservoir reaches a depth of 80 feet and has a current, unlike other man-made lakes. Part of it forms the Great Loop with the Tennessee River.

Living here, you get the lakefront and the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Residents access miles of pristine waters for kayaking and motorboat adventures at its marinas and public access points. National bass tournaments draw the sport’s best in hunting for large and smallmouth, crappie, walleye, and sauger. Find more shoreline public access at state parks, including Fort Loudon State Historic Park, where you can visit a reconstructed British fort used as an outpost in the French and Indian War.

Along the shoreline are the towns of Sweetwater, Vonore, Greenback, and Madisonville. There are also residential master-planned communities like Tellico Village and Rarity Bay.

Tennessee Lakefront Living

This list is a small sampling of the lakefront available in Tennessee. These choice lakes have thousands of acres of waterfront and residential options to explore. But you can find even more lakefront properties, some with limited residential options, at reservoirs like Watts Bar, Tims Ford, or Watauga Lakes. A local real estate agent can help you narrow down your ample choices for lakefront living in Tennessee.