Camping & Group Picnic Shelters

*If the Registration Center is closed when you arrive please select a non-reserved site and return to register for your stay during the hours listed above.

The Corps of Engineers manages several day use areas on J. Percy Priest Lake.  Some shelters may be reserved (for a fee) up to 365 days in advance.  Reservations may be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS).  When a shelter is not reserved, it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Shelters are available for reservation from April until October. To reserve a shelter, contact the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777.

Boating

J. Percy Priest Lake provides boaters with a wide variety of opportunities to enjoy their respective recreational interests. Our 14,200 surface acres of water offer an opportunity for all types of recreation. One of five commercial marinas situated at various locations on the lake, or one of the many Corps of Engineers Access areas, provide easy access and supplies for boaters. As the number of boaters visiting J. Percy Priest have increased in recent years, the Corps of Engineers encourages visitors to wear life jackets, pay close attention at all times, abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages, and become familiar with the rules of the water and basic boating regulations. You may contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency concerning boating regulations and boating safety information.

Fishing & Hunting

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities on J. Percy Priest Lake. Enhanced bank fishing areas are developed at Stewart Creek, Vivrett Creek, J. Percy Priest Overlook, and Cook Recreation Areas to provide bank fishing opportunities for anglers who do not have a boat. Accessible fishing opportunities are also provided at these locations for our physically challenged visitors who wish to enjoy this sport.

Tennessee state fishing licenses are required for most individuals prior to fishing on Corps of Engineers waters.  Licenses may be purchased at County Clerk's offices, marinas and many other commercial establishments in the area. For up-to-date fishing information, lake elevations, and generation schedules visit the J. Percy Priest Facebook page. For the most up to date information on generation releases and lake levels, please visit: TVA's Lake Information or call 1-800-238-2264, press 4, then 37, then press the # key.

*Please note:  Water release schedules often change without notice due to unanticipated changes in weather conditions and power system requirements. Use caution near dams. A large amount of water may be discharged without warning at any time. Your safety depends on obeying all posted safety regulations and warnings. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administers 19,462 acres of land as part of the J. Percy Priest Lake Project. Much of this land is managed for wildlife and is open to public hunting. The public may hunt on most Corps of Engineers’ managed public lands that are not developed recreation areas, are not leased to other entities, and are not designated as “No Hunting.” All State hunting rules and regulations apply. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) administers the wildlife management program and has cooperative agreements with area farmers who perform management practices to benefit wildlife. The fields are interspersed among undeveloped woodlands and make for excellent hunting.

Scuba & Swimming 

Scuba diving is allowed at J. Percy Priest Lake. Divers must display a "Diver Down" flag in the area where they are diving. Boaters should be alert to the "Diver Down" flag and keep a safe distance away. 

The Corps of Engineers operates three swim areas on J. Percy Priest: Anderson Road, Cook, and Seven Points Campground. Swimming is prohibited at launching ramps, mooring points, marinas, public docks, and posted areas. It is allowed elsewhere, but for safety's sake please swim only in specifically designated areas. These areas are much safer as they are off-limits to boaters of all kinds. They are surrounded by “restricted area” buoys and a floating yellow pipeline.

Pets are prohibited at Anderson Road and Cook Recreation Areas. Anderson Road and Cook both have sand beaches and playgrounds and there is a nominal Day Use Fee of $5 per vehicle.  Commercial vehicles are charged $20. Near each day use beach are playgrounds, picnic sites, group shelters, boat launching ramps, and bathrooms.

Trails 

Three Hickories Nature Trail is a 1.6 mile long nature trail located in a wooded area in Cook Recreation Area. Note a $5 fee for Cook recreation area is charged during the recreation season. Click Here for an interpretive guide to the Three Hickories Nature Trail.

Anderson Road Fitness Trail is a paved, more than a mile long trail winding through a cedar glade area beside the lake. 

Poole Knobs Archery Trail is 0.3 miles long and is designed with targets in the woods for archery practice.  There is a small shelter and some archery targets at the entrance of the trail.

Twin Forks Horse Trail welcomes Equestrians and hikers to use this 18 mile long trail running along the shoreline from Walter Hill Dam to Nices Mill Recreation Area.  The best access to the trail is at East Fork Recreation Area.

Three other trails are maintained by outside agencies are found near J. Percy Priest: Long Hunter State Park, Hamilton Creek Recreation Area, and Stones River Greenway: