Recreation Opportunities Abound at Cordell Hull

Activities range from land-based recreation like bird watching, hunting, and hiking to water-based recreation including fishing, boating, and swimming.  Camping is another popular pursuit, either at the lake's two developed campgrounds or on primitive sites.  For additional information on these activities, please visit the links on the left as well as the information below.

BRIMSTONE

36.478 -85.609

5850 Big Bottom Road Whitleyville, TN 38588

Brimstone Boat Ramp provides boaters with access to the upper portion of Cordell Hull Lake and Brimstone Creek. Anglers, hunters, wildlife viewers, boaters, and paddlers who visit this wooded area are able to experience the Cumberland River much as it once was. The area consists of a developed parking lot and boat launch ramp.

 

BUFFALO

36.31 -85.875

No 911 Carthage, TN 37030

Buffalo is located in Smith County, Tennessee with a developed boat ramp and parking lot. The boat ramp has a courtesy dock aid with loading and unloading your boat before heading out for your big catch.

 

BUTLERS LANDING

36.489 -85.564

1 Butlers Landing Road Moss, TN 38575

Butler's Landing offers a boat launch access point on the Cumberland River. Amenities include a gravel parking lot and a developed boat ramp.

 

CAMP DISCOVERY

36.352 -85.752

400 Camp Discovery Lane Gainesboro, TN 38562

Camp Discovery offers the opportunity for persons with disabilities to experience the summer camp experience. During the off season for camp, the facility can be rented by the public for events such as church groups, civic organizations, weddings, and corporate retreats.

 

CAMP NEE KAH NAH

36.377 -85.755

632 Indian Creek Road Whitleyville, TN 38588

Camp Nee Kah Nah is an area leased to the Girl Scouts of America. The facility has several cabins, a boat ramp, 5 mile hiking trail, and activity center for guests to enjoy.

 

CORDELL HULL DAM SITE

36.285 -85.94

150 Corps Lane Carthage, TN 37030

The Cordell Hull Dam site offers a wide range of recreation options. Interpretive programs and displays are available at the Resource Manager's Office. A reservable shelter anchors the family friendly day use area with playground, grills, volleyball court, and restroom facilities. Nature lovers can view white-tailed deer, turkeys, and more. On the Turkey Creek Nature Trail hikers will find many native tree species labeled. Anglers can use the paved boat ramp to access the tailwater where several trophy Rockfish have been caught. A fish cleaning station is available for anglers who manage to reel in a giant!

 

DEFEATED CREEK MARINA

36.303 -85.908

160 Marina Lane Carthage, TN 37030

Adjacent to the popular Defeated Creek Campground, Defeated Creek Marina offers boaters a full range of services including boat mooring and storage, fuel dock, restaurant and ship store. From the marina boaters can access Defeated Creek, the most popular area on Cordell Hull Lake for watersports. Beginner and experienced paddlers will find calm, protected waters accessible near the marina. For visitors seeking lodging, rental cabins are available as well as RV hookups.

 

DEFEATED CREEK PARK

36.321 -85.908

361 Defeated Creek Highway Carthage, TN 37030

Defeated Creek Park contains four well used public areas. A fishing area includes easily accessible fishing docks where bluegill and catfish can be landed. Visitors to the Day Use Fee area enjoy a swim beach and many picnic sites. A launch ramp provides access to Defeated Creek, the most popular area on Cordell Hull Lake for watersports. The area is being popular with paddlers as well. The free Day Use area offers basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, two reservable shelters, playground, ample watchable wildlife, and a trailhead to the seven mile Bear Waller Gap Trail. With 155 campsites Defeated Creek Campground is one of the most popular in the country.

 

DONALDSON PARK

36.555 -85.495

1110 Jackson Street Celina, TN 38551

Donaldson Park provides a variety of recreational activities including boating, fishing, and picnicking. With fishing is a very popular activity on the Obey River. Other amenities for visitors include playground, fitness trail, volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts. Two accessible picnic shelters with electric hookups are available for reservation or on a first come first serve basis.

 

FLYNNS LICK

36.342 -85.748

2034 Fort Blount Ferry Road Gainesboro, TN 38562

Cordell Hull Lake offers activities for just about any type of visitor. Situated among rolling, wooded hills is Flynn's Lick Boat Ramp. The recreation area offers boaters a primitive parking area, paved ramp, and dock providing access to the White's Bend portion of the lake. Anglers on the water and on shore enjoy fishing for white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, shad, and crappie. Swimmers take advantage of the calm, protected waters of Flynn's Lick.

 

WILDWOOD RESORT AND MARINA

36.255 -85.8

7316 Granville Highway Granville, TN 38564

Granville Marina is the primary middle point of access for Cordell Hull Lake. Located just outside the historic town of Granville, the marina offers boaters a full range of services including boat mooring, gas dock, restaurant, store, and campground. Indian and Martin's Creeks, two popular fishing spots are easily accessible from the marina. The marina is home to a wide range of public events including concerts, festivals, fishing tournaments, and fairs. For visitors seeking lodging, cabins, RV and tent sites are available.

 

HOLLEMAN BEND

36.316 -85.794

1698 Holleman's Bend Lane Granville, TN 38564

Holleman's Bend is a multiple use primitive area offering visitors to Cordell Hull Lake the opportunity to experience the wilds of the Upper Cumberland. In addition to a paved boat ramp the area offers primitive non-designated camping near the lake shore and access to an extensive system. The trails are designed for riders on horseback who seek more than 20 miles to explore. For experienced hikers the horse trails are an extremely strenuous journey through wooded, rolling hills. Trails can be accessed at the trailhead located adjacent to TN-53N or where Holleman's Bend Road comes to an end.

 

HORSESHOE BEND

36.294 -85.927
Elmwood 38560

Horseshoe Bend has a developed boat ramp and parking lot. The boat ramp will put you slightly west of Difficult Creek with you launching on the main lake.

 

INDIAN CREEK ARCHERY RANGE

36.233 -85.79
 Granville, TN 38564

Indian Creek Archery Ranger is located on the outskirts of the town of Granville. The archery range is home to a shelter, shooting tables, and paths you can walk and aim at targets for those who rather work on their free handed archery skills.

 

INDIAN CREEK PARK

36.238 -85.793

4 Park Lane Granville, TN 38552

Indian Creek Campground Park is located on the outskirts of Granville, TN. The park has a vast amount of amenities for tent and RV campers to utilize during their stay on one of the 53 campsites. Such amenities include covered shelters, developed swim beach, boat ramp, and playground. The leasees hosts numerous of activities and events throughout the year for visitors to enjoy.

 

LOCK TAILWATER

36.285 -85.94
 Elmwood, TN 38564

Cordell Hull Lake offers activities for just about any type of visitor and is a fishing destination that's nestled among rolling wooded hills. The Lock Tailwater area has amenities for land or bank fishermen to use during their visit. A paved parking lot, restroom facilities, and launch ramp that gives you access to the left bank of the tailwater where anglers enjoy fishing for trophy rockfish, trout, and walleye.

 

MARTINS CREEK

36.25 -85.781

1171 Martins Creek Highway Granville, TN 38564

Martin's Creek Boat Ramp offers boaters access to Martin's Creek, one of the most popular fishing spots on Cordell Hull Lake. Anglers enjoy fishing for white bass, rockfish, paddlefish, largemouth, catfish, and crappie. The paved parking lot, portable restroom, and group shelter are frequently home to anglers preparing or returning from one of the regularly held tournaments on Martin's Creek.

 

MOODY'S PLACE

36.542 -85.47

1 Moody Boat Ramp Road Celina, TN 38551

Moody's Place is located on the outskirts of Celina, TN towards Dale Hollow Lake's Resource Manager's Office. The recreation area allow access to the tailwaters of Dale Hollow Lake via a paved boat ramp. Even if you don't have a boat you can Moody's and fish from a fishing pier.

 

OVERLOOK RECREATION AREA

36.302 -85.952

283 Turkey Creek Road Carthage, TN 37030

Between the dam and the popular Defeated Creek Park visitors will find the Overlook. After a short hike up a concrete walkway to the viewpoint visitors will be rewarded with spectacular views of the lake. For those desiring a more strenuous experience, the 7 mile Bear Waller Gap hiking trail can be started here, ending at Defeated Creek Recreation Area.

 

ROARING RIVER PARK

36.374 -85.638

10417 Dodson Branch Highway Gainesboro, TN 38562

 Located just outside of the city of Gainesboro, the Roaring River Recreation Area is a Day Use Fee area popular with boaters and families. Boaters and anglers take advantage of the large paved parking area and boat ramp to access the upper portion of Cordell Hull Lake. A fishing dock is available for anglers who prefer to cast from the shore. A larger reservable shelter with ample grilling and picnicking areas and restrooms offers an ideal location to celebrate a special event. Swim beach, playground, volleyball court, second launching ramp, and walking trail round out the recreation area.

 

SALT LICK RECREATION AREA

36.328 -85.797

520 Salt Lick Park Lane Gainesboro, TN 38562

Salt Lick Recreation includes a 150 site campground with five restrooms and two shower facilities, laundry, boat ramp, swim beach, and shelter. An onsite park attendant is present six days a week during hours of operation. Salt Lick's facilities available for campers and their guests.

 

SMITH'S BEND

36.324 -85.782

1200 Smith Bend Lane Gainesboro, TN 38562

Smith's Bend Boat Ramp offers boaters a paved parking area and boat ramp providing access to Salt Lick Creek. Anglers on the water and on shore enjoy fishing for white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie.

 

SULLIVANS BEND

36.294 -85.875
 Elmwood, TN 38560

Sullivan's Bend Recreation area is home to two boat ramps, one courtesy dock, and two developed parking lots. Both ramps put you adjacent to Buffalo Creek located across the lake.

 

VETERAN'S PARK

36.272 -85.799 675

Granville Highway Granville, TN 38564

 Granville Veterans Park is a county park nestled along the banks of Cordell Hull Lake close to historic Sutton Store. The park has restrooms, a shelter, picnic sites, and swings for anyone to enjoy at their leisure.

 

WARTRACE CREEK RECREATION AREA

36.361 -85.777

3711 Gladdice Highway Gainesboro, TN 38562

Wartrace Recreation Area is a Day Use Fee area popular to families and groups. The swim beach, playground, volley courts, and picnic sites provide a family friendly experience. A large reservable shelter is an ideal spot to celebrate a special event. A paved parking lot, launch ramp, and courtesy dock offer boaters to Wartrace Creek.

 

WHITES BEND

36.35 -85.736

1030 Whites Bend Lane Gainesboro, TN 38562

White's Bend Boat Ramp offers boasters a primitive parking area and paved ramp providing access to the White's Bend portion of Cordell Hull Lake.