Center Hill Lake
About Center Hill Lake
Center Hill Lake is located in Middle Tennessee across DeKalb, Putnam, White, and Warren Counties, with nearby towns including Smithville, Cookeville, Sparta, McMinnville, and Silver Point. The lake was created by Center Hill Dam on the Caney Fork River and stretches about 64 miles upstream through the Highland Rim region.
The reservoir covers approximately 18,220 acres at normal pool, includes about 415 miles of shoreline, and reaches depths of roughly 190 feet. Center Hill is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, hydropower, and recreation, while major tributaries such as the Caney Fork River and Falling Water River help shape its deep coves, clear water, steep ridges, and waterfall-rich landscape.
Key Features
Quick facts (at-a-glance)
- Location: DeKalb, Putnam, White & Warren Counties, Tennessee
- Surface Area: 18,220 acres at normal pool
- Maximum Depth: Approximately 190 ft
- Shoreline Length: Approximately 415 miles
- Elevation: 648 ft at normal full pool
- Type: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Caney Fork River
- Fish Species: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, walleye, white bass, yellow bass, redear sunfish, rock bass
- Average Summer Temp: Summer highs in the Center Hill Lake area are typically in the mid-to-upper 80s °F
- Public Access: Corps recreation areas, state parks, marinas, boat ramps, campgrounds, and shoreline access points
- Nearby Attractions: Edgar Evins State Park, Burgess Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, Caney Fork River, Smithville, Cookeville
Center Hill Lake Vacation Homes For Rent
What you can do there
Boating: Center Hill Lake is a major Middle Tennessee boating destination with deep water, long arms, and scenic coves. Pontoons, cruisers, ski boats, wake boats, fishing boats, and personal watercraft are common during the recreation season.
Fishing: Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, walleye, white bass, catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, and rock bass. The lake is especially known for clear-water bass fishing and seasonal tournament activity.
Swimming: Center Hill’s clear coves and recreation areas make it popular for swimming during warm weather. Visitors should use designated areas where available and stay alert for deep water, boat traffic, and changing lake levels.
Water Sports: The reservoir supports skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and cruising in appropriate open-water areas. Boaters should follow posted no-wake zones around marinas, ramps, docks, and congested coves.
Paddling: Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are excellent for exploring quiet coves, steep shoreline, and creek arms. Early mornings are usually best for calmer conditions and scenic paddling away from heavier boat traffic.
Camping: Center Hill Lake offers developed Corps campgrounds, primitive shoreline camping, and nearby state-park lodging options. Floating Mill Park, Ragland Bottom, Hurricane Bridge, and Long Branch are among the better-known recreation areas connected to the lake and river corridor.
Hiking & Waterfalls: The lake is surrounded by some of Tennessee’s most scenic state park landscapes, including Edgar Evins, Burgess Falls, and Rock Island. Visitors can pair lake days with waterfall hikes, overlooks, forest trails, and photography stops.
Wildlife Viewing: Forested shoreline and protected public lands provide habitat for deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors. Quieter coves, state park trails, and early morning boat rides are ideal for spotting wildlife.
Access, marinas & ramps
Edgar Evins State Park: Edgar Evins State Park is one of the lake’s primary public recreation hubs, offering lodging, trails, lake views, marina access, and boating opportunities. Its location near the dam makes it a convenient base for exploring the lower lake.
Floating Mill Park: Floating Mill Park is a Corps campground and recreation area on Center Hill Lake. It provides camping, lake access, and access to the reservoir’s boating, fishing, and water-sports opportunities.
Ragland Bottom Recreation Area: Ragland Bottom is a popular campground and day-use area on the lake. It offers shoreline recreation, camping access, and a strong base for boating, fishing, and family lake trips.
Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area: Hurricane Bridge provides public access near one of the lake’s well-known bridge crossings. It is commonly used for launching, fishing access, and reaching nearby sections of the reservoir.
Long Branch Campground: Long Branch is located below Center Hill Dam along the Caney Fork River. It is especially useful for visitors interested in trout fishing, river access, camping, and exploring the tailwater area below the dam.
Marinas: Center Hill Lake is served by multiple commercial marinas offering boat slips, fuel, rentals, supplies, restaurants, and lake services. These marinas are important hubs for both homeowners and visitors planning full days on the water.
Boat Ramps: Public ramps and secondary access points are located around the lake through Corps-operated areas, state park facilities, and marina locations. Ramp usability can vary with lake level, so checking current conditions before towing a boat is recommended.
Parking & Fees: Major access areas generally include parking for vehicles and trailers, though peak summer weekends can fill quickly. Some recreation areas, ramps, campgrounds, or marina services may require fees, passes, or reservations.
Safety & regulations
- Fishing License: Anglers must follow Tennessee fishing license requirements and current TWRA fishing regulations.
- Special Fishing Rules: Center Hill has specific creel and length limits for species such as black bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, and other game fish.
- Boat Registration: Motorized vessels must comply with Tennessee boating registration and safety requirements.
- Life Jackets: Proper personal flotation devices should be carried for every person onboard and worn by children, paddlers, and weak swimmers.
- No-Wake Zones: Boaters must obey posted no-wake areas near docks, marinas, ramps, bridges, swimming areas, and congested coves.
- Water-Level Changes: Center Hill is a managed Corps reservoir, so lake levels fluctuate seasonally and can affect ramps, docks, shoreline hazards, and navigation.
- Dam & Tailwater Safety: Stay clear of restricted areas near Center Hill Dam and pay attention to warning signals and changing current below the dam.
- Swimming Safety: Swim only in safe areas, avoid boat lanes, and remember that many shoreline areas drop off quickly into deep water.
- Environmental Protection: Pack out trash, avoid shoreline damage, clean up fishing line, and help protect the lake’s clear-water habitat.
Gallery
Nearby highlights & suggested day trips
- Edgar Evins State Park: Located directly on Center Hill Lake, this park offers lake views, trails, lodging, marina access, and wildlife viewing. It is one of the best places to experience the lake from both land and water.
- Burgess Falls State Park: This nearby park is known for its impressive waterfalls and scenic river gorge. It is a top day trip for visitors who want hiking, photography, and waterfall views close to Center Hill Lake.
- Rock Island State Park: Rock Island sits near the headwaters region connected to the Caney Fork system and is known for waterfalls, rugged scenery, and river recreation. It pairs well with a Center Hill Lake stay for a full outdoor weekend.
- Caney Fork River: Below Center Hill Dam, the Caney Fork River is well known for cold-water fishing and scenic river access. It provides a different experience from the reservoir, especially for anglers and paddlers.
- Smithville: Smithville is one of the closest towns to Center Hill Lake and serves as a practical hub for food, supplies, lodging, and local services. It is also home to regional events and lake-oriented businesses.
- Cookeville: Cookeville is a larger regional city with restaurants, shopping, hotels, Tennessee Tech University, and access to multiple Upper Cumberland attractions. It is a convenient off-water day trip from the lake.
- Sparta: Sparta sits within reach of the lake and provides access to scenic drives, small-town dining, and nearby outdoor areas. It works well as a quiet side trip during a Center Hill vacation.
- McMinnville: McMinnville is located south of the lake and offers restaurants, historic areas, nurseries, and regional attractions. It is a useful stop for visitors exploring the Warren County side of the reservoir.
- Great Falls Area: The Great Falls area near Rock Island is tied to the Caney Fork and Falling Water River system. It is a scenic destination for waterfall viewing, river scenery, and exploring the upper end of the watershed.
- Cumberland Caverns: Located near McMinnville, Cumberland Caverns offers guided cave experiences and underground scenery. It is a strong rainy-day or off-water attraction within regional driving distance of Center Hill Lake.
Events & community
Center Hill Lake has an active recreation community supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee State Parks, marina operators, local tourism groups, campground users, lake homeowners, and fishing organizations. The lake’s long recreation season supports boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, and paddling throughout much of the year.
Community activity often centers around fishing tournaments, marina events, campground gatherings, holiday boating weekends, and state-park programming. Nearby communities such as Smithville, Cookeville, Sparta, and McMinnville also add festivals, dining, shopping, and local events that support the broader Center Hill Lake lifestyle.
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