While we’re famous for our mountains, the Knoxville area lakes are our true liquid gold, offering over 500,000 acres of interconnected waterways. Whether you want to "sailgate" with thousands of fans or find a silent cove where the only sound is your paddle hitting the water, making Knoxville your home base puts you in the center of the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee. Consider making Knoxville your “home base” and then simply pick a direction - we can tell you what to do and how to do it!
9 Lakes of East Tennessee | easttnvacations.com
What are the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee?
Managed primarily by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee include Douglas, Cherokee, Norris, Melton Hill, Watts Bar, Fort Loudoun, Tellico, Calderwood, and Chilhowee. These reservoirs form a massive aquatic network spanning the Tennessee River valley, providing world-class boating, trophy fishing, and emerald-water swimming within an hour’s drive of downtown Knoxville.
Fort Loudoun Lake is Knoxville’s immediate urban waterfront, beginning right at Volunteer Landing. It is most famous for the "Vol Navy," a unique tradition where boaters dock at Neyland Stadium for University of Tennessee football games. For a quieter afternoon, The Cove at Concord Park in West Knoxville offers sandy beaches and easy paddleboard access.
This is the high-energy heart of the region. It’s a great spot for social boating, riverside dining, and watching the sunset over the Tennessee River. It borders Knox, Loudon, and Blount Counties. In addition to Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, and Lenoir City are also nearby. Fun fact: Suttree Landing, Volunteer Landing, Sequoyah Hills Park, Carl Cowan Park, and Concord Park are some of the City of Knoxville and Knox County Parks that border this lake and this section of the Tennessee River.
Concord Park: Features The Cove, which offers a sandy swimming beach, sand volleyball, and rentals from River Sports Outfitters.
Navigability: Connected to Tellico Lake via a canal, allowing for long-distance cruising without passing through a lock.
Dining: Home to popular waterfront spots like Lakeside Tavern and Calhoun’s at the Marina in Lenoir City.
Excellent bass fishing here; the launch for competitors of the Bassmaster Classic in 2019, 2023, and 2026 were at Governor McWherter Park
One can navigate all the way to Paducah, KY from here via the Tennessee Riverline
Rent kayaks or SUPs at multiple outlets – if you’re sticking close to downtown Knoxville, check out the Knoxville Adventure Collective
If you want to keep going, Watts Bar offers a sprawling expanse for long-distance cruising. It is a favorite for those who enjoy exploring uninhabited islands and expansive main channels. Watts Bar Lake borders Meigs, Rhea, Roane, and Loudon counties. About halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga, this is the largest Lake in the area. Nearby cities include Kingston, Rockwood, and Harriman.
Massive Scale: Spans 39,000 acres with 722 miles of shoreline, making it one of the largest Knoxville area lakes.
Island Hopping: Famous for "The Sandbar" and numerous small islands perfect for anchoring and picnicking.
Birdwatching: A critical habitat for Ospreys and Bald Eagles, with dedicated nesting platforms visible from the water.
Full-Service Marinas: Features several resorts like Terrace View Marina that offer poolside dining and live music.
Norris Lake is the undisputed champion for water clarity and swimming. Because it is a deep-water reservoir surrounded by the Cumberland Mountains, the water remains a stunning turquoise with incredible visibility. Norris Dam State Park protects much of the 800-mile shoreline, ensuring the water stays pristine and free from heavy sediment runoff.
Known for its "houseboat culture," this lake is the closest thing to a Caribbean escape in the Appalachians. Its spring-fed depths make it a top destination for scuba diving and long summer swims. Norris Lake borders Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, and Union Counties. Nearby towns include Norris, Clinton, Rocky Top (woo!), and more. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park aren’t too far from here. Be sure to stop at Clinch River Brewing, one of the many breweries on Knoxville’s Ale Trail.
Exceptional Clarity: Visibility often exceeds 20 feet, making it the premier choice for scuba diving in East Tennessee.
Houseboat Capital: Home to the largest fleet of houseboats in the region; many marinas like Stardust offer luxury rentals.
Public Lands: Bordered by Norris Dam State Park and multiple wildlife management areas, keeping the views wild and green.
Fed by the cold bottom-releases of Norris Dam, this lake stays chilly year-round. It is a world-class venue for the Oak Ridge Rowing Association due to its glassy, mirror-like surface and negligible current. Melton Hill Lake borders Anderson and Knox Counties. This lake is in between Knoxville and Oak Ridge; Clinton and Oliver Springs are also nearby. This lake is home of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association and nationally recognized for collegiate and championship regattas.
The "Chilly" Choice: The water stays about 10 degrees cooler than other Knoxville area lakes, acting as natural AC in August.
Rowing Hub: Host to national regattas; the calm, narrow channel is perfect for Olympic-level rowing and quiet kayaking.
Musky Fishing: One of the few places in Tennessee where you can catch the elusive Muskellunge (Musky).
Paved Greenway: Features a 5.7-mile paved path along the shoreline for cyclists and runners to enjoy the water views.
Visit the nearby Manhattan Project National Historical Park, a site along with Hanford, WA and Los Alamos, NM that was instrumental in the development of the atomic bomb in WWII
Visit nearby Windrock Park, a hotspot for ATV and mountain biking off-road trails
Provides jaw-dropping views of the Great Smoky Mountains from the water. It is a birdwatcher's paradise, especially during seasonal migrations. Douglas Lake borders Jefferson, Cocke, Sevier, and Hamblen Counties. If you’re headed that way, check out this post on all things East Knoxville for dining and attractions. Seven Islands State Birding Park is also along the way.
Crappie Kingdom: Nationally ranked as one of the top lakes for Crappie, drawing anglers from across the country every spring.
Smoky Mountain Views: Offers the most dramatic backdrop of the high peaks of the Great Smokies.
Historic Dandridge: Access the lake via Dandridge, TN, the second-oldest town in the state, for a charming post-lake dinner.
Resort Atmosphere: Home to Douglas Dam and several sprawling campgrounds and cabin rental communities.
Great destination for crappie and bass fishing
Visit Bush Beans Visitor Center in Dandridge
Class III and IV white water rapids in the connecting Pigeon River
Cherokee Lake (Northeast)
Features the rugged terrain of Panther Creek State Park. The park’s elevated overlooks offer a bird's-eye view of the lake’s sprawling bass-heavy coves.
Striped Bass Central: Known for producing massive "Stripers" that thrive in the deep, oxygen-rich waters.
Panther Creek State Park: Offers 17 miles of hiking trails and a massive boat ramp with plenty of trailer parking.
Public Access: Features numerous fishing piers and public boat launches, making it very accessible for non-boaters.
Geology: Characterized by unique limestone bluffs and sunken islands that provide excellent underwater structure for bass.
Where can I find mountain-view lakes near Knoxville?
For dramatic mountain vistas and emerald waters, head Southwest to Tellico, Calderwood, or Chilhowee. Tellico Lake offers a high-end, peaceful vibe with stunning views of the Unicoi Mountains. For a "wilder" experience, the smaller Calderwood and Chilhowee lakes sit directly on the edge of the Cherokee National Forest, offering a secluded, off-the-grid feel.
Calderwood Lake forms the border between Cherokee National Forest, Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Chilhowee Lake is just downstream. Nearby towns include Tellico Plains, Townsend, and Vonore.
Great place to fish for a variety of trout and bass too
Townsend is known as the “Quiet Side of the Smokies” and Cades Cove is easily accessed from this side of the GSMNP
Tellico Lake borders Loudon and Monroe counties. This reservoir was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1979 upon the completion of Tellico Dam.
This area flooded historic Cherokee towns, and since the Dam completion, this area has great farmland so be sure to sample the produce
Fort Loudon State Park is one of the earliest British frontier fortifications built in 1756
Visit the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, birthplace of the genius Sequoyah who invented the Cherokee alphabet
Kristen Combs is the Director of Communications & Social Strategies for Visit Knoxville. With an extensive knowledge of Knoxville as a tourist destination, Kristen is also the author of 100 Things to Do in Knoxville Before You Die, published by Reedy Press and available in the Visitors Center Gift Shop. Find Kristen on Instagram at @100thingsknoxville.
