A Tennessee Lake With State Parks Touching Its Shoreline Is A Nature Lover's Paradise

Tennessee is not just about the tranquil Great Smoky Mountains, mouthwatering southeastern cuisine, or vibrant country music scene. It's also home to rolling hills, dense forests, and breathtaking lakes, making it a charming and scenic gateway. Also, its largely moderate climate makes it a nearly four-season destination for travelers.

Its water bodies are particularly popular for swimming, boating, summer relaxation, fishing, and proximity to national parks. A case in point is Center Hill Lake. It's considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, thanks to its enchanting waterfalls and shoreline that hugs three different state parks: Edgar Evins, Rock Island, and Burgess Falls.

Located about 70 miles east of Nashville and eight miles southwest of Smithville, Center Hill Lake (CHL) has a surface area of 18,220 acres with a 415-mile lakeshore. The lake is a popular destination for nature lovers, offering swimming, kayaking, fishing, and boating opportunities in its clear waters as well as hiking paths leading to dazzling viewpoints in nearby state parks. The lake's origin dates back to 1942, when the US Army Corps of Engineers started construction of the CHL dam on the other side of the Caney Fork River to control floods, generate electricity, and provide recreation. The dam was completed in 1948, and since it has been a hotspot for tourists.

With a shoreline stretching across Warren, White, Putman, and Dekalb counties, Center Hill Lake shares its shores with some of the best national parks in Tennessee. They feature breathtaking sights, majestic waterfalls, and different types of hiking trails. A good example is this hidden gem state park in the southeast with the most mesmerizing waterfalls, the Burgess Falls State Park. It features several incredible hiking trails.

Its intermediate River Trail is about 0.8 miles long and runs along the Falling Water River, taking you to the base of Burgess Water Falls. For a more challenging and longer adventure, you can take on the Ridge Top Trail. It is about .7 to 1.5 miles long and meanders through Little Falls and Middle Falls before getting to Burgess Waterfalls. You will see the park's centerpiece from an overlook as it plunges around 200 feet down the rocks, offering an enchanting sight or backdrops for photographs.

Other popular hikes around the lake include the Millennium Trail at Edgar Evins State Park and the Eagle Trail at Rock Island State Park, perfect for spotting wildflowers and songbirds. Another popular attraction on the lake is Fancher Falls, a spectacular 80-foot cascade surrounded by steep ridges. Unlike other falls in the area that you can hike to, you can only get to Fancher Falls by a paddleboard, boat, or kayak. Center Hill Lake also offers endless opportunities for fishing and boating. The lake is awash with fish like crappie, catfish, and bass that you can catch from the shoreline or on a boat deep inside the lake. Water sports like boating, swimming, and kayaking are also mainstream activities on the lake. You can rent a kayak or canoe from Canoe the Caney.

After hiking, boating, swimming, or kayaking, you will need a place to refuel. Fortunately, the area boasts some of the most memorable restaurants around the world, a few minutes from the lake. For Mexican flavors, pause by El Lago Mexican Restaurant in Cove Hollow Circle, Lancaster. On the menu, you will find salads, soups, burgers, mixed entrees, fajitas, tacos, and burritos. For a wide selection of perfectly prepared meals, swing by Kilgore's in the nearby town of Smithville. Highlight menu items include hushpuppies and loaded baked potatoes.

Center Hill Lake also boasts an array of lodging options, including house rentals, cozy cabins, luxurious resorts, RV sites, and primitive camping. For example, the nearby Leeric Lodge & resort in Silver Point offers glamping suites, shared bedrooms ideal for families, and even a private lodge with spa amenities. If you love sleeping under the stars or camping, swing by Floating Mill Park for an amazing family-friendly ambience. It features lakefront and tent campsites with showers, water hookups, and a boat ramp, among others.