Best Places to Paddleboard in the United States – Tennessee 2021
1: Percy Priest Lake
Percy Priest Lake is one of the more popular reservoirs for those living in the Nashville area, with a large surface area of 14,200 square acres to explore. Despite the large size of the lake, it is tranquil to paddle on, making it an excellent option for beginners or younger paddlers.
If you have a touring board, head out from the Hamilton Creek launch point to get to Bear Island or Luau Island for a perfect place to rest or sunbathe while you’re out on the lake. Tournaments are held throughout the year to catch the various bass species that occupy the lake, including Striped, Largemouth, Smallmouth, Lineside, Black, Green, White, Brown, and Bronze Bass. If you’re visiting the capital of Tennessee, we highly recommend paying a visit to Percy Priest Lake.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 205
Distance to Major Cities: 15 Minutes to Nashville
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
2: Cumberland River
Percy Priest Lake isn’t your only option for paddling if you’re in the Nashville area, as you can also explore the Cumberland River. The 688-mile long river flows through several states, but it cuts right through downtown Nashville, giving you a glimpse of the sights in the city without having to mingle with the heavy crowds and foot traffic on the streets.
If you leave the city and paddle east towards Laguardo, you can challenge yourself with some class II and III rapids, perfect for beginner to intermediate whitewater SUPers. Within the city, though, the water is tranquil and calm, meaning that you can enjoy a reflective yoga session or cruise around with friends. For the adventurous and R&R seekers alike, we suggest paddling on the Cumberland River near Nashville, Tennessee.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 205
Distance to Major Cities: 15 Minutes to Nashville
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
3: Lake Ocoee
The oldest human-made lake in the state, Lake Ocoee, refers to three separate lakes all near each other, though each of them is fun for touring, cruising, and paddleboarding. The largest of the three lakes is 1,930 square acres, with a small whitewater course featuring Class I and II rapids.
These lakes are often windy, making them a popular option for paddleboarders hoping to get some sailing or light surfing in, especially if you like riding the wakes of motorboats. There are multiple marinas in the area with paddleboard vendors, making renting gear easy. If you’re in southern Tennessee, such as near Chattanooga, you’ll have a great time paddleboarding at Lake Ocoee.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 207
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour to Chattanooga
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
4: Douglas Lake
One of Knoxville’s most popular paddleboarding destinations, Douglas Lake’s 44 square mile surface is a volatile lake, making it one of the best locations in the state for sailing, wind foiling, and surfing. It can be a bit tricky due to the typically choppy waters, but you can catch some of the largest Walleye, Bass, and Sauger here if you have the skill to do it, especially if you’re willing to put up with the cold by fishing in late winter.
Douglas Lake is popular enough that there are five different marinas you can rent gear from before you launch, with hotels at the marinas and many campgrounds around the lake, depending on your overnight preference. With 513 miles of shoreline, you can tour every day for a month and see something new by paddling at Douglas Lake in eastern Tennessee.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 204
Distance to Major Cities: 45 Minutes to Knoxville
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
5: Norris Lake
With a surface area of over 50 square miles, Norris Lake is one of the more popular paddleboarding destinations in the state for several different reasons. There is little to no vegetation under the water, which helps it maintain a clear, blue shine that is particularly attractive to divers.
If you’re into fishing, it is extremely easy to reel something in due to the lake’s massive fish population, with more than 100,000 Crappie, Walleye, Sunfish, and Bass each. Stop by the marina to rent paddleboards and any other equipment you need, or hire experts to guide you around the lake or teach you a few new tricks.
Keep an eye out for the many boats that zoom around the water, and you’ll have a great trip paddleboarding on Norris Lake.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 204
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes to Knoxville
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
Conclusion: Plan Your Paddle Board Trip and Have Fun!
Thank you for visiting our top paddleboarding lakes, rivers, and waterfronts for Tennessee. These are just a few of our favorite spots, so if you have a favorite destination we missed, let us know by leaving a comment below or sending us an email with your suggestions!
Our top paddleboarding series by state is nearly over, but keep an eye out for our top paddleboarding destinations in Utah and other states. While you’re here, you can also read our latest SUP reviews, instructional guides for new and experienced paddleboarders, along with watching our Youtube videos discussing the most popular paddleboards on the market.
Thank you for visiting SUPBoardGuide.com! Be sure to let us know what you think of paddleboarding in Tennessee!
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