Shady Grove
Provides access to French Broad River – Douglas Reervoir. Located in Jefferson County. Public access.
Discover 792 public boat launches, ramps, and marina access points throughout Tennessee. Find the perfect launch site for your next boating adventure.
Tennessee sits squarely in TVA country, and that means an extraordinary network of reservoirs built through the mid-20th century across the Tennessee River system and its tributaries. Chickamauga, Nickajack, Kentucky, Barkley, Pickwick, Wheeler, Wilson, Guntersville, Watts Bar, Fort Loudoun, Douglas, Cherokee, Norris, and more - the list of major TVA lakes in Tennessee is longer than some states' entire lake inventories.
This gives Tennessee boaters access to a connected waterway system that can genuinely be navigated by trailering or moving through the lock and dam infrastructure. The Tennessee River is navigable by large vessels from Knoxville all the way to where it joins the Ohio River in Kentucky. Understanding how to use the TVA locks adds a dimension to Tennessee boating that flatwater-only states don't offer.
The reservoirs vary considerably in character. The main river reservoirs have boat traffic, marinas, and well-developed infrastructure. The tributary lakes like Norris, Douglas, and Cherokee have clearer water and a more removed character. Norris in particular, the oldest TVA dam, has a reputation for water quality and beautiful scenery in the upper end away from the dam.
Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake in the Nashville area serve the metro population and are busy during warm weather months. Old Hickory connects to the Cumberland River system and allows river running in addition to lake boating.
Tennessee requires boater education for operators under 12 and has active law enforcement on the major reservoirs, particularly around holiday weekends. TVA ramps are generally free and well-maintained.
Discover the best boat ramps, popular water bodies, boating regulations, and essential information for Tennessee.
Read the Full Guide →🌊 Cumberland River - Old Hickory Lake
📍 Smith County, TN
View Details →🌊 Tennessee River - Kentucky Lake
📍 Buchanan Subdivision, TN
View Details →🌊 Caney Fork River - Center Hill Lake
📍 DeKalb County, TN
View Details →🌊 Cumberland River - Cheatham Lake
📍 Nashville, TN
View Details →🌊 Tennessee River - Fort Loudoun Lake
📍 Lenoir City, TN
View Details →🌊 French Broad River
📍 Leadvale, TN
View Details →Tennessee offers excellent boating opportunities with 792 boat ramps across the state. Whether you're looking to launch on lakes, rivers, or coastal waters, our directory helps you find the perfect access point for your watercraft.
When selecting a boat ramp in Tennessee, consider these factors:
Browse our complete directory of boat ramps in Tennessee below. Use the filters to narrow your search by county or specific features you need.
Provides access to French Broad River – Douglas Reervoir. Located in Jefferson County. Public access.
Provides access to Stones River – J. Percy Priest Lake. Located in La Vergne, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Caney Creek – Watts Bar Lake. Located in New Hope, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Ware Branch – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Ware Branch, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Stones River – J. Percy Priest Lake. Located in East Point, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Watts Bar Lake. Located in Meigs Cabin Area, TN. Semi-Private access.
Provides access to Piney River – Watts Bar Lake. Located in Spring City, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Watts Bar Lake. Located in Rhea County. Public access.
Provides access to Piney River – Watts Bar Lake. Located in Piney Shores Estates, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Cumberland River – Old Hickory Lake. Located in Nonaville, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Fort Loudoun Lake. Located in Louisville, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Watts Bar Lake. Located in Meigs County. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Peakland, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Hiwassee River – Chickamauga Lake. Located in East View, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Sale Creek – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Hamilton County. Public access.
Provides access to Sewee Creek – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Forest Grove, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Cumberland River – Cheatham Lake. Located in Nashville, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Cumberland River – Old Hickory Lake. Located in Nonaville, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Watts Bar Lake. Located in Maple Grove, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Watts Bar Lake. Located in Meigs Cabin Area, TN. Semi-Private access.
Provides access to Dry Branch – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Meigs County. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Kyle Subdivision, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Price Creek – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Meigs County. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Chickamauga Lake. Located in Meigs County. Public access.