Dive into the busiest boating destinations across Tennessee with a wealth of data gleaned from thousands of boat rentals.

Table of Contents

Tennessee emerges as an exemplary state for boating and on-water activities due to its extensive network of navigable waterways and diverse aquatic ecosystems. In 2023 alone, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported over 700,000 registered boats, highlighting robust participation in water-based recreation. With over 1,000 miles of shoreline and numerous lakes such as Old Hickory and Norris Lake, Tennessee offers ample recreational boating, fishing, and water sports opportunities. The Tennessee River Basin provides access to many interconnected water bodies, enhancing navigability and promoting tourism.

Furthermore, initiatives like the Tennessee Clean Marina Program highlight the state's commitment to preserving its aquatic environments and ensuring sustainable enjoyment of its waters for future generations.


About This Report

This report analyzes booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top boating locations in Tennessee.

It contains proprietary data for each city, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the local features that make each destination popular for boating.


Our Methodology

To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed boat rental demand and booking data for all locations in Tennessee. Cities are determined by the city that the boat owner registers the boat in within their profile on the platform. The data was cleaned to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates, while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.


The Top 8 Boating Cities in Tennessee

Tennessee Data Map

1. Nashville

Average Hourly Rate: $106

Average Trip Price: $692

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Nashville, located on the Cumberland River, is a prime boating destination. Take a break from the music and bar scene in the city and enjoy the amazing scenery and nature that Nashville has to offer. Here, boaters can enjoy iconic views of downtown Nashville from the river, explore Old Hickory Lake or Percy Priest Lake, and participate in various water sports.

The lakes are great for fishing, swimming, and relaxing on floating mats or tubes. Many sheltered coves provide calm waters for enjoying these lakes during the summertime, and it’s a fantastic way to beat the heat in Nashville.


2. Hendersonville

Average Hourly Rate: $126

Average Trip Price: $520

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Hendersonville, situated on Old Hickory Lake, offers over 22,500 acres of water for boating enthusiasts. Known as the "City by the Lake," Hendersonville is perfect for fishing, water skiing, and leisurely cruises. Check out the Historic Rock Castle that is just off the lake, or visit a waterfront restaurant or brewery like Tailgate or Moby Dicky’s. The lake and town of Hendersonville are surrounded by parks and green spaces, providing beautiful picnic spots and trails for a full day of outdoor fun. Check out Rockland Recreation Area or Drakes Creek Park while exploring the city on the water.


3. LaFollette

Average Hourly Rate: $78

Average Trip Price: $375

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

LaFollette is nestled on the shores of Norris Lake, a reservoir known for its clear, deep waters and over 800 miles of shoreline. The lake is perfect for house boating, fishing, and water sports. Cruise along the lake that borders the gorgeous Chuck Swan State Forest visit the “Swimming Cave,” or relax on your boat in Lonas Young Memorial Park. LaFollette and Norris Lake have many coves and inlets offering secluded spots for relaxing and enjoying nature. There are many wildlife conservation areas around this region in Tennessee, so keep your eyes peeled for birds and other animals.


4. Mount Juliet

Average Hourly Rate: $131

Average Trip Price: $569

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Mount Juliet, located between Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake, is another popular destination for boating, fishing, and camping. Enjoy Cedar Creek Campground and go for a swim in Two Foot Cove. Paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular here, you can put in the water at the access point at Lone Branch Park and explore the shoreline. Thanks to several marinas and recreational areas, Mount Juliet provides easy access to the water and various amenities for boaters.


5. Lenoir City

Average Hourly Rate: $149

Average Trip Price: $896

Most Popular Style of Boat: Sailboats

Lenoir City is known as the "Lake Capital of the South" due to its proximity to Fort Loudoun Lake and Tellico Lake. Not far from Knoxville, this city offers interconnected lakes with extensive boating opportunities, including sailing, fishing, and water sports. The area's scenic beauty, thanks to being in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, makes it an excellent destination for outdoor fun, with tons of hiking trails along the lakes to enjoy on land in addition to boating activities. Visit the Yacht Club at Tellico Village by boat for food and drinks on the water, or enjoy barbecue at Calhoun’s, a waterfront restaurant in Lenoir City.


6. La Vergne

Average Hourly Rate: $203

Average Trip Price: $710

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowrider Powerboats

La Vergne is situated on Percy Priest Lake's shores, offering excellent boating and fishing opportunities. To access the lake from La Vergne, you can enjoy two main recreation areas, Hurricane Creek and Four Corners, and you can cruise to nearby Drummond Island on your boat or drop anchor in a quiet cove to stop for a swim. The close-knit community and family-friendly atmosphere make La Vergne a great spot for a relaxing day on the water.


7. Oak Ridge

Average Hourly Rate: $51

Average Trip Price: $408

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Oak Ridge, located on Melton Hill Lake, is renowned for its rowing, fishing, and paddle sports. There are rowing clubs here that practice on the lake, a fun sight to see from your own boat. The lake's smooth waters and scenic surroundings create an ideal environment for boating or bass fishing. Oak Ridge's surrounding parks and greenways add to the outdoor experience, making it a wonderful place for water- and land-based activities.


8. Cookeville

Average Hourly Rate: $67

Average Trip Price: $403

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Thanks to nearby Center Hill Lake, Cookeville makes the list of the top boating cities in Tennessee. This lake offers a relaxing boating experience with its clear waters and beautiful natural surroundings, including the forest of Edgar Evins State Park and Burgess Falls State Park. The lake is perfect for fishing, water skiing, and leisurely cruises. Boat rentals are also very affordable here, with great opportunities for kayaking adventures and fishing trips.



In Summary

Centered around the majestic Tennessee River, which flows through the state, there are several prominent lakes including Norris Lake, Cherokee Lake, and Douglas Lake, each renowned for their scenic beauty and extensive waterways perfect for boating, fishing, and water sports. The Cumberland River also winds through Tennessee, providing additional navigable waters like Old Hickory Lake and Percy Priest Lake.

Whether exploring the Smoky Mountains' serenity or enjoying Nashville's vibrant culture, Tennessee's varied boating destinations cater to both leisurely cruises and thrilling aquatic activities.



About Getmyboat

Getmyboat is the world's biggest and best marketplace for fun, safe, and easy boating experiences of all kinds. Launched in 2013, over 2 million customers have gone boating through the platform, with 180,000+ listings across 184 countries and thousands of 5-star reviews for boat owners and captains.

With both self-drive boat rentals and professionally-crewed options, you can find whatever setup is right for you. In fact, while 30% of Getmyboat trips are self-drive boat rentals, the other 70% of trips are operated by professional boat captains so that customers feel safe while they enjoy being together with family and friends on the water.

Citing this Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting purposes, with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions, or for any other data not found in the below report, reach out to pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and any other information needed for press stories.