When it comes to getting outside, there’s simply no place better than the grand old Volunteer State. There are plenty of places to go hiking in the cool, lush forests to the east, and there’s a whole fleet of picturesque lakes across Tennessee. One of the best spots to visit is right outside of Chattanooga and you’re bound to fall in love with the great beauty that is Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee. Continue reading to learn all about this epic hot spot that you’ll want to visit as soon as possible.

Riverharbor - Flickr Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the state and has made quite the name for itself as a perfect spot for outdoor and water-centric activities.

Chickamauga Lake Official Website You’ll find that the Hiwassee River empties into Chickamauga Lake and the reservoir itself can be found upstream from Nickajack Lake and just downstream from Watts Bar Lake.

Brent Moore - Flickr It only gets to 72 feet deep at its deepest point and the lake boasts a whopping 810 miles of shoreline.

Lawrence G Miller - Flickr Locals rave about the bass fishing at Chickamauga Lake — and some even consider it the best in the state. Make sure to come by for an afternoon on the water during the month of July! It’s when the fish are active and the community is ready and raring to welcome folks from out-of-town.

Kelly Stewart - Flickr Chickamauga Lake tends to have cooler water in the summertime, and if you come by in the heat of it, you can find everything from catfish to spotted bass to bluegill biting in the water.

US Army Corps - Flickr There’s great boat access for those of you looking to ski or wakeboard, and swimming is highly encouraged. The cool water will give you the perfect break from the heat of a southern summer.

trpnblies7 - Flickr Have you been to Chickamauga Lake? Will you go? It’s the best place to spend the warmer months, and you’re bound to fall ever more in love with it the more often you go.

So, what are your thoughts on Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee? Have you visited recently? Be sure to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!

Riverharbor - Flickr

Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the state and has made quite the name for itself as a perfect spot for outdoor and water-centric activities.

Chickamauga Lake Official Website

You’ll find that the Hiwassee River empties into Chickamauga Lake and the reservoir itself can be found upstream from Nickajack Lake and just downstream from Watts Bar Lake.

Brent Moore - Flickr

It only gets to 72 feet deep at its deepest point and the lake boasts a whopping 810 miles of shoreline.

Lawrence G Miller - Flickr

Locals rave about the bass fishing at Chickamauga Lake — and some even consider it the best in the state. Make sure to come by for an afternoon on the water during the month of July! It’s when the fish are active and the community is ready and raring to welcome folks from out-of-town.

Kelly Stewart - Flickr

Chickamauga Lake tends to have cooler water in the summertime, and if you come by in the heat of it, you can find everything from catfish to spotted bass to bluegill biting in the water.

US Army Corps - Flickr

There’s great boat access for those of you looking to ski or wakeboard, and swimming is highly encouraged. The cool water will give you the perfect break from the heat of a southern summer.

trpnblies7 - Flickr

Have you been to Chickamauga Lake? Will you go? It’s the best place to spend the warmer months, and you’re bound to fall ever more in love with it the more often you go.

Looking for something else that’s naturally incredible? Then check out this bright blue waterfall, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Nashville.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee July 22, 2022 Beth C. What are the most beautiful lakes in Tennessee? Tennessee is a landlocked state, but what it may lack in oceanfront, it more than makes up for in beautiful lakes. A day spent on a gorgeous lake in Tennessee can cure just about anything! Now that you’ve learned all about Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee, you might be curious to see which other lakes are worth visiting. Spoiler alert: there are a ton. Fortunately, we’ve pinpointed some of our favorite lakefront destinations in Tennessee to share with you. At the top of the list is Boone Lake. A reservoir formed by the Boone Dam and the Holston River, this beautiful lake in Tennessee is picturesque in any season, but especially during fall. Next up is Center Hill Lake near Smithville. Many people rent lake houses here and it’s no mystery why. Some other beautiful lakes in Tennessee worth visiting include Cheatham Lake, Cherokee Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, Douglas Lake, Fort Loudon, Herb Parsons Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Nickajack Lake, Norris Lake, Old Hickory Lake, Reelfoot Lake, Radnor Lake, Watts Bar Lake, Tims Ford Lake, and Percy Priest Lake. What are some of the best swimming holes in Tennessee? In the middle of summer, nothing quite beats a swimming hole in Tennessee. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of them in the Volunteer State. Some of our favorites include Cummins Falls, the Sinks, Rutledge Falls, Rock Island State Park, Narrows of Harpeth, Fort Dickerson Quarry, Fall Creek Falls, Blue Hole, Big South Fork National Park, and Old Hickory Lake. What are some of your favorite places to go swimming in Tennessee? Does Tennessee have any waterfall swimming holes? If you love the idea of swimming at the base of a waterfall, we have just the place for you to visit. An incredible waterfall swimming hole in Tennessee, Rutledge Falls will not disappoint. Of course, you don’t have to take a dip at the base of this waterfall to enjoy its splendor, but you won’t regret it if you do!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee

July 22, 2022

Beth C.

What are the most beautiful lakes in Tennessee? Tennessee is a landlocked state, but what it may lack in oceanfront, it more than makes up for in beautiful lakes. A day spent on a gorgeous lake in Tennessee can cure just about anything! Now that you’ve learned all about Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee, you might be curious to see which other lakes are worth visiting. Spoiler alert: there are a ton. Fortunately, we’ve pinpointed some of our favorite lakefront destinations in Tennessee to share with you. At the top of the list is Boone Lake. A reservoir formed by the Boone Dam and the Holston River, this beautiful lake in Tennessee is picturesque in any season, but especially during fall. Next up is Center Hill Lake near Smithville. Many people rent lake houses here and it’s no mystery why. Some other beautiful lakes in Tennessee worth visiting include Cheatham Lake, Cherokee Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, Douglas Lake, Fort Loudon, Herb Parsons Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Nickajack Lake, Norris Lake, Old Hickory Lake, Reelfoot Lake, Radnor Lake, Watts Bar Lake, Tims Ford Lake, and Percy Priest Lake. What are some of the best swimming holes in Tennessee? In the middle of summer, nothing quite beats a swimming hole in Tennessee. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of them in the Volunteer State. Some of our favorites include Cummins Falls, the Sinks, Rutledge Falls, Rock Island State Park, Narrows of Harpeth, Fort Dickerson Quarry, Fall Creek Falls, Blue Hole, Big South Fork National Park, and Old Hickory Lake. What are some of your favorite places to go swimming in Tennessee? Does Tennessee have any waterfall swimming holes? If you love the idea of swimming at the base of a waterfall, we have just the place for you to visit. An incredible waterfall swimming hole in Tennessee, Rutledge Falls will not disappoint. Of course, you don’t have to take a dip at the base of this waterfall to enjoy its splendor, but you won’t regret it if you do!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Tennessee is a landlocked state, but what it may lack in oceanfront, it more than makes up for in beautiful lakes. A day spent on a gorgeous lake in Tennessee can cure just about anything! Now that you’ve learned all about Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee, you might be curious to see which other lakes are worth visiting. Spoiler alert: there are a ton. Fortunately, we’ve pinpointed some of our favorite lakefront destinations in Tennessee to share with you.

At the top of the list is Boone Lake. A reservoir formed by the Boone Dam and the Holston River, this beautiful lake in Tennessee is picturesque in any season, but especially during fall. Next up is Center Hill Lake near Smithville. Many people rent lake houses here and it’s no mystery why. Some other beautiful lakes in Tennessee worth visiting include Cheatham Lake, Cherokee Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, Douglas Lake, Fort Loudon, Herb Parsons Lake, Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Nickajack Lake, Norris Lake, Old Hickory Lake, Reelfoot Lake, Radnor Lake, Watts Bar Lake, Tims Ford Lake, and Percy Priest Lake.

What are some of the best swimming holes in Tennessee?

In the middle of summer, nothing quite beats a swimming hole in Tennessee. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of them in the Volunteer State. Some of our favorites include Cummins Falls, the Sinks, Rutledge Falls, Rock Island State Park, Narrows of Harpeth, Fort Dickerson Quarry, Fall Creek Falls, Blue Hole, Big South Fork National Park, and Old Hickory Lake. What are some of your favorite places to go swimming in Tennessee?

Does Tennessee have any waterfall swimming holes?

If you love the idea of swimming at the base of a waterfall, we have just the place for you to visit. An incredible waterfall swimming hole in Tennessee, Rutledge Falls will not disappoint. Of course, you don’t have to take a dip at the base of this waterfall to enjoy its splendor, but you won’t regret it if you do!