Highway 27 New River Bridge
Provides access to New River. Located in New River, TN. 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 →🌊 Ninemile Creek - Tellico Lake
📍 Vonore, TN
View Details →🌊 Elk River - Woods Reservoir
📍 Coffee County, TN
View Details →🌊 French Broad River
📍 Cocke County, TN
View Details →🌊 French Broad River
📍 Sevierville, TN
View Details →🌊 Calfkiller River
📍 Sparta, TN
View Details →🌊 Little Tennessee River - Tellico Lake
📍 Loudon County, 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 Caney Fork River – Center Hill Lake. Located in Warren County. Public access.
Provides access to Baker Creek Inlet – Lake Ocoee. Located in YMCA Camp Ocoee, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Caney Fork River – Center Hill Lake. Located in Center Point, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Obey River – Dale Hollow Lake. Located in Pickett County. Public access.
Provides access to Obey River – Dale Hollow Lake. Located in Pickett County. Public access.
Provides access to Obey River – Dale Hollow Lake. Located in Green Brier, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Guntersville Lake. Located in New Hope, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Guntersville Lake. Located in New Hope, TN. Public access.
Provides access to Caney Fork River – Center Hill Lake. Located in White County. Public access.
Provides access to Caney Fork River – Great Falls Lake. Located in White County. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Nickajack Lake. Located in Marion County. Public access.
Provides access to Tennessee River – Nickajack Lake. Located in Haletown, TN. Public access.