Stephanie is a cherished member of the Sampling America writing team, dedicated to crafting captivating narratives that transport readers to thrilling adventures across the country and beyond.
Located in southeastern Tennessee, Chattanooga is a beautiful city that sits along the Tennessee River at the base of the Appalachian Mountains. The entire area is well-known for its outdoor activities and breathtaking natural beauty.
With stunning forests, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, Chattanooga is one of the best cities in the South to experience the great outdoors; find the best lakes in this quaint city for your next trip through Chattanooga.
Chickamauga Lake
Just 15 minutes outside of Chattanooga, Chickamauga Lake is the perfect location to spend the day swimming, kayaking, waterskiing, and hiking.
With plenty of fun water activities, this lake attracts plenty of tourists in the summer as well as locals all year round. This massive reservoir stretches more than 60 miles and has more than 50 access points, so there will be plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.
Nickajack Lake
Nickajack Lake is a man-made reservoir flanked by two dams on the Tennessee River that locals dub the “Grand Canyon of Tennessee.”
Along with boating, hiking, and biking, the lake also has a surprising wildlife population that’s sure to entice tourists and travelers. The lake is a natural home to roosting grey bats that hide in nearby cakes in the forest.
Parksville Lake
This popular tourist destination is a scenic spot that many people stop at while on a tour of Tennessee. The recreational areas at the lake have spots for boat ramps, sandy beaches, and campgrounds.
Consider renting a boat and staying at this stunning outdoor location for the weekend to get the most out of Tennessee’s natural beauty.
Tims Ford Lake
This massive reservoir sits on the Elk River near Winchester. The bass fishing is well-known in the area and draws locals year-round to the stunning shores.
Campgrounds, cabins, and kayak rentals flank the perimeter of the lake, making this destination the perfect place to spend a weekend in the country while not going that far past the main city of Chattanooga.
Guntersville Lake
Sitting at a massive 69,000 acres, Guntersville Lake stretches between multiple small towns just outside of Chattanooga.
This stunning outdoor space is a wonderful place to rent a cabin, enjoy a round of golf, or swing into the lake off the local zip line. The state park takes care of the facilities incredibly well, so stop by for a visit this fall to enjoy the last remnants of warm weather.
Lula Lake
Although Lula Lake does not allow boating or swimming, this small body of water is well-known for its stunning waterfall. People come from all over the state to enjoy the majesty of the Lula Waterfall.
The creek around the lake has plenty of walking and hiking trails ready to be discovered. Note: Tourism has decreased since the lake became closed on certain days of the week, so be sure to look ahead and ensure the lake is open.
Rainbow Lake
Rainbow Lake is a stunning destination. However, you will not be able to drive right to this lake; it requires a 1.5-hour round-trip hike to the summit.
Many locals say that the hike is certainly worth the payoff at the end. The lake is a perfect destination for boating, kayaking, canoeing, and more.
Falls Lake
Just an hour outside of Chattanooga, Falls Creek and Lake is a small reservoir in one of the most visited state parks in Tennessee.
This lake also features a massive 256-foot waterfall, which is a perfect place for photographers to test out their skills in capturing nature scenes.
Watts Bar Lake
This massive 39,000 reservoir is the perfect place to stop along the Tennessee River to take part in some fun water sports. Boating, tubing, water skiing, and wakeboarding are all popular pastimes at this busy lake.
With more than 722 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of space for all visitors, even when this lake gets busy in the summertime.
Carters Lake
This relatively small lake is not very busy, so it feels like a private oasis if you’re lucky enough to have this stunning lake all to yourself.
There are no cabins or private docks here, so it really feels like an undiscovered outdoor space. The water is very clean and swimmable here.
Normandy Lake
Although this lake is smaller, it still has a few campgrounds, a boat launch, and plenty of hiking trails in the area.
The park at the lake also offers small boat rentals, such as canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. This lake is the perfect place to spend an afternoon enjoying the water and the sun.
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