6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee: where rivers meet stunning landscapes.

Ever considered paddling among vibrant fall foliage or beside historic landmarks?

The best places to paddle board in Tennessee are waiting for you.

Embark on a journey to explore Tennessee’s picturesque waterways. Ready to set sail?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Tennessee

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from March through November. July is the warmest month, averaging 89 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in Tennessee

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Norris Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Anderson County Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear water, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, bluegill, catfish, deer on shoreline
🏞️️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Rolling hills, wooded shores
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Beware of boat traffic, adhere to designated zones

Norris Lake, located in East Tennessee, offers over 800 miles of shoreline for paddle boarders to explore. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush forest, it provides the perfect setting for a peaceful paddleboarding experience.

Enjoy the calm waters and scenic views as you glide along the lake’s pristine shores, discovering hidden coves and inlets.

#2 Percy Priest Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Anderson Road Recreation Area (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Mostly calm waters, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, crappie, catfish, waterfowl
🏞️️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Limestone cliffs, wooded shores
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boats and other watercraft, follow local regulations

Located just outside Nashville, Percy Priest Lake is a popular paddleboarding destination that offers over 200 miles of shoreline to explore. The lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs and wooded shores, making it a beautiful and tranquil location for a day on the water.

Keep an eye out for wildlife, such as waterfowl and various fish species, as you explore the lake’s numerous coves and inlets.

#3 Tennessee River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Riverpark Boat Dock, Chattanooga (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, mild winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, herons, osprey
🏞️️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Downtown Chattanooga, riverfront parks
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Beware of boat traffic, respect local regulations

The Tennessee River flows through the heart of Chattanooga, offering a unique urban paddleboarding experience. Paddlers can enjoy views of downtown Chattanooga and the city’s riverfront parks while exploring the meandering waterway.

With a gentle current and sheltered shoreline, the Tennessee River provides a relaxing and scenic paddleboarding adventure for all skill levels.

#4 Chickamauga Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Chester Frost Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm waters, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, crappie, bluegill, herons
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Wooded shoreline, islands, lakefront homes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boats, follow local regulations

Chickamauga Lake is situated in Southeast Tennessee and offers miles of beautiful shoreline for paddleboarders. The lake’s calm waters and scenic views of wooded shores, islands, and lakefront homes make it an idyllic location for a leisurely paddle.

Explore the numerous inlets and coves, and keep an eye out for various wildlife species, including several types of fish and herons.

#5 Old Hickory Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Rockland Recreation Area (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, turtles
🏞️️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Wooded shoreline, rolling hills
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boats, follow local regulations

Old Hickory Lake, just northeast of Nashville, offers a serene environment for paddleboarders. The calm waters, framed by wooded shoreline and rolling hills, set the scene for a peaceful day on the water.

Enjoy exploring the numerous coves and inlets, appreciating the beauty of this tranquil lake.

#6 Reelfoot Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Reelfoot Lake State Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm water, wind can pick up in afternoons
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bluegill, crappie, catfish, variety of bird species
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Cypress trees, aquatic vegetation
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Beware of submerged tree stumps, follow local regulations

Located in the northwest corner of Tennessee, Reelfoot Lake provides a unique paddleboaring experience. Known for its cypress trees and abundant aquatic vegetation, this shallow lake offers a distinct landscape to explore.

As you glide through the calm waters, keep an eye out for the many bird species that call the lake home, as well as various fish species.

Tennessee is dammed river as far as the eye can see, courtesy of the TVA, which means flat water and a lot of it. Nashville is the city paddle, Kentucky the state north, and Charlotte the nearest big city east.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case