Knoxville Area Lakes

Douglas Lake (East)

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.

• 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

Douglas Lake (East)

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.

• 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

Norris Lake (North)

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.

• Hiking trails from easy to rugged at Big Ridge State Park
• If you’ve ever wanted to rent a houseboat, Norris Dam State Park is the place to do it
• Beautiful flora and fauna opportunities at Cove Lake State Park.  If hiking is your jam, consider the linear Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail Park

Melton Hill Lake (Northwest)

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.

• Frozen Head State Park is not far, an excellent place to hike year round
• 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

Watts Bar Lake (West)

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.

• Explore the nearby Obed Wild and Scenic River
• Great opportunities for birding; the marshy wetlands provide nesting grounds for birds like ospreys, blue heron, and even bald eagles
• This lake contains several islands, get out on a boat to find them

Fort Loudon Lake (South/Southwest)

Fort Loudon Lake 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.

• Excellent bass fishing here; the launch for competitors of the Bassmaster Classic in 2019 was 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

Tellico Lake (Southwest)

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

Calderwood and Chilhowee Lakes (Southwest)

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
• A favorite fall activity is driving the Cherohala Skyway

We hope this helps you plan a trip to Knoxville and explore the 9 Lakes of our region!

Additional Resources below.