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Center Hill Lake provides varied outdoor recreation opportunities
for millions of visitors each year.
Water lovers can enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, and skiing on Center Hill Lake.
Bring family and friends to Center Hill Lake’s Parks and Recreation Areas for a variety of activities. Try swimming and sunbathing or enjoy a picnic along the lakeshore. Boat, water ski, fish or just take a walk and experience the beauty and peace throughout the area. Center Hill Lake offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whatever time of year you choose to visit the area, many new adventures await you. Please take some time to enjoy what nature has to offer in addition to our recreational opportunities.
Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from including fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, and many others. The Center Hill Lake Information Center located at the Resource Manager’s Office, 158 Resource Lane in Lancaster, Tennessee, and offers the visitor a pictorial history of the construction of the dam and a wildlife exhibit featuring many of the birds and animals which are found in the area. You can contact their office at (931) 858-3125 for further information.
Bring family and friends to Center Hill Lake’s Parks and Recreation Areas for a variety of activities. Try swimming and sunbathing or enjoy a picnic along the lakeshore. Boat, water ski, fish or just take a walk and experience the beauty and peace throughout the area. Center Hill Lake offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whatever time of year you choose to visit the area, many new adventures await you. Please take some time to enjoy what nature has to offer in addition to our recreational opportunities.
Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from including fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, and many others. The Center Hill Lake Information Center located at the Resource Manager’s Office, 158 Resource Lane in Lancaster, Tennessee, and offers the visitor a pictorial history of the construction of the dam and a wildlife exhibit featuring many of the birds and animals which are found in the area. You can contact their office at (931) 858-3125 for further information.
Center Hill Lake Public Use Guide
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Click here for frequently asked questions regarding Center Hill Lake.
Center Hill Lake offers nine commercial marinas that provide a wide variety of services including boat docks and lodging options for visitors to the lake. The Nashville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Center Hill Lake, invites you to enjoy yourself, have a safe visit and come again.
Marinas and Boat Docks
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Lodging
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Center Hill Chalets
6872 Smithville Highway Silver Point, TN 38582 877.402.5253 • 931.858.2258 Center Hill Marina 450 Cove Hollow Circle Lancaster, TN 38569 615.548.4315 Edgar Evins State Park 1630 Edgar Evins Park Road Silver Point, TN 38582 931.858.2445 Hidden Harbor Marina 2685 Casey Cove Road Smithville, TN 37166 615.597.8800 The Inn at Evins Mill 1535 Evins Mill Road Smithville, TN 37166 615.269.3740 • 800.383.2349 |
The Retreat at Center Hill Lake
358 Relax Drive Smithville, TN 37166 615.597.4298 Pates Ford Resort & Marina 6323 Jefferson Road Smithville, TN 37166 615.597.4807 Rock Island State Park 82 Beach Road Rock Island, TN 38582 931.686.2471 Sharp Lodge 16139 Smithville Highway Silver Point, TN 38582 931.858.2234 Sligo Marina P.O. Box 300 • 350 Sligo Road Smithville, TN 37166 615.597.5245 |
Camping
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Edgar Evins State Park
1630 Edgar Evins Park Road Silver Point, TN 38582 931.858.2445 Rock Island State Park 82 Beach Road Rock Island, TN 38582 931.686.2471 Hidden Harbor Marina 2685 Casey Cove Road Smithville, TN 37166 615.597.8800 Pates Ford Resort & Marina 6323 Jefferson Road Smithville, TN 37166 615.597.4807 |
Floating Mill
430 Floating Mill Lane Silver Point, TN 38582 931.858.4845 Long Branch 478 Lancaster Road Lancaster, TN 38569 615.548.8002 Ragland Bottom 1410 Ragland Bottom Road Sparta, TN 38583 931.761.3616 Horseshoe Bend Marina 6040 Webb’s Camp Road Walling, Tennessee 38587 931.657.5080 |
Fishing
Beautiful Center Hill Lake has become a very popular fishing and water-skiing area. Fishermen can expect catches of largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky bass as well as catfish, crappie, walleye, white bass, bluegill and bream. Grab a can of worms and a fishing rod and fish from the bank anywhere in the parks except near or on the boat launch ramp and the courtesy dock. The lake is open for fishing year-round. Professional fishermen are drawn by the three species of bass found at the lake and several tournaments thrive at the lake. Fishermen need to make sure to obtain the proper Tennessee fishing license from any sporting good store or the nearby marina.
For more information on obtaining a fishing license, statewide creel and size limits, along with other great information, please refer to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency's on-line site at Tennessee Fishing Regulations.
Boating
The Rules of The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regarding boating on Center Hill Lake
(1) Vessels being operated on Center Hill Reservoir within the Floating Mill Park Recreation Area as delineated by a line of informational buoys shall be operated, as follows:
(a) Motorboats shall operate at a “Slow-No Wake” speed.
(b) The use of water skis, surfboards or similar devices is prohibited.
(2) Vessels being operated on Center Hill Lake within the area adjacent to Sand Beach, Rock Island State Park, as delineated by a line of informational buoys, shall be operated as follows:
(a) Motorboats shall operate at a “Slow-No Wake” speed.
(b) Motorboats shall not tow a person on water skies, surfboard or similar devices.
(1) Vessels being operated on Center Hill Reservoir within the Floating Mill Park Recreation Area as delineated by a line of informational buoys shall be operated, as follows:
(a) Motorboats shall operate at a “Slow-No Wake” speed.
(b) The use of water skis, surfboards or similar devices is prohibited.
(2) Vessels being operated on Center Hill Lake within the area adjacent to Sand Beach, Rock Island State Park, as delineated by a line of informational buoys, shall be operated as follows:
(a) Motorboats shall operate at a “Slow-No Wake” speed.
(b) Motorboats shall not tow a person on water skies, surfboard or similar devices.
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(3) Vessels being operated on Center Hill Lake within the Ragland Bottom, Johnson Chapel, and Hurricane Bridge Recreation Areas, as delineated by a line of informational buoys, shall be operated as follows:
(a) Motorboats shall operate at a “Slow-No Wake” speed.
(b) Motorboats shall not tow a person on water skis, surfboard, or similar devices.
Authority: T.C.A. §§70-1-206 and 69-9-209. Administrative History: Original rule certified May 8, 1974. Amendment filed June 9, 1978; effective July 10, 1978. Amendment filed October 4, 1989; effective November 18, 1989.
Launching Areas, transient boat facilities, docks, and swimming beaches intended for public use which are owned by the state, local, or federal government, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, may be marked as necessary and appropriate with informational signs or buoys as either “Slow, No-wake”, “Notowing”, or “Boats Keep Out”.
Authority: T.C.A. §§69-9-209 and 70-1-206. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 3, 2001; effective December 17, 2001.
(a) Motorboats shall operate at a “Slow-No Wake” speed.
(b) Motorboats shall not tow a person on water skis, surfboard, or similar devices.
Authority: T.C.A. §§70-1-206 and 69-9-209. Administrative History: Original rule certified May 8, 1974. Amendment filed June 9, 1978; effective July 10, 1978. Amendment filed October 4, 1989; effective November 18, 1989.
Launching Areas, transient boat facilities, docks, and swimming beaches intended for public use which are owned by the state, local, or federal government, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, may be marked as necessary and appropriate with informational signs or buoys as either “Slow, No-wake”, “Notowing”, or “Boats Keep Out”.
Authority: T.C.A. §§69-9-209 and 70-1-206. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 3, 2001; effective December 17, 2001.
Swimming
Center Hill Lake allows swimming in any part of the lake except the boat launch areas. There is a roped off swim area at several areas, but there is no lifeguard on duty. Swimming is at your own risk.
Swimming Safety Tips From The Red Cross ...
Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.
Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.
Swim in supervised areas only.
Obey all rules and posted signs.
Watch out for the "dangerous too’s"–too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
Don’t mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.
Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
The use of flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot replace parental supervision. Such devices could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.
Parents should take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important around the water and you will expand your capabilities in providing care for your child. You can contact your local Red Cross to enroll in a CPR for Infants and Child course.
Swimming Safety Tips From The Red Cross ...
Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.
Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.
Swim in supervised areas only.
Obey all rules and posted signs.
Watch out for the "dangerous too’s"–too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
Don’t mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.
Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
The use of flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot replace parental supervision. Such devices could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.
Parents should take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important around the water and you will expand your capabilities in providing care for your child. You can contact your local Red Cross to enroll in a CPR for Infants and Child course.