Looking for the best place to hang out by a lake in Tennessee? Tims Ford Lake in Tims Ford State Park is a great place to visit if you want to go boating, kayaking, or just spend time in nature or by a beautiful lake. The lake has picturesque views and is a great place to rent a pontoon boat, or even go hiking in the state park. We are excited to share with you a guide to visiting Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee and we hope you enjoy it!
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About Tims Ford Lake
Tims Ford Lake is located in Tims Ford State Park, which is 3,546 acres of natural land. It is located in the south-central part of Tennessee in Winchester. The lake is on the Elk River and is 34 miles long. Northeast of the lake is the Tims Ford Dam. The lake is known as one of the best bass fishing and recreational lakes in this area of Tennessee.
Things to do in the park
go sailing
In Tims Ford State Park, next to Tims Ford Lake, the Lake View Marina offers pontoon boat rentals. If you have your own boat, you can launch your own boat from the dock for free. You can also grab snacks and bait at the marina and a fish cleaning area so you can take home what you catch in the lake.
go kayaking
The Lake View Marina also has a few kayaks and canoes available for visitors to rent. They only have a small number, so make sure you get there early if you want to rent one.
Golf
A popular activity in the park is playing golf. The golf course, Bear Trace at Tims Ford, has 18 holes and Tims Ford Lake is visible on most holes.
Camp in Tents or Cabins
Tims Ford State Park has 20 cabins available around Tims Ford Lake. The cabins are fully equipped with appliances, utensils, bedding, etc. You can also camp in a tent at the lakeside campsite. Available campgrounds are Turkey Creek Campground and Fairview Campground. Campers using tents can also camp on any of the six islands found in Tims Ford Lake.
Hike
In the state park, there are three trails. You’ll find a total of 6.5 miles of unpaved hiking trails. There are also an additional 22 miles of bike trails that can be used by hikers as well. The start of two of the three trails is at the visitor center. The third hiking trail circles the park and runs along the shore of the lake. Click here to see all the hiking trails available in the park!
Fishing
Another fun activity to do at Tims Ford Lake is to go fishing! In the lake you will find largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. The lake is stocked annually with striped and hybrid bass that visitors can catch year-round.
Swim
If you want to go swimming while visiting the state park, there is an Olympic size L-shaped pool separate from the lake. In this pool you will find lifeguards, a 12-foot diving pool, a children’s wading pool and restrooms. It is $5 per person or $3 per person for cabin and camp guests to swim in the pool. For swimming at Tims Ford Lake, there is no designated swimming area in the lake or along the shoreline, which means there are no lifeguards and you are swimming in the lake at your own risk.
Where to stay
The state park is located in Winchester, Tennessee. There are a variety of hotels in and around Winchester where you can stay.
Cabin/Tent
As mentioned above, you can stay along the shore of Tims Ford Lake right in the state park. There are cabins and camping areas available for visitors. Click here for more information on the cabins!
Best Western Inn
The Best Western Inn is pet friendly, has a pool, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and includes breakfast. It is about a 15 minute walk from the hotel to Tims Ford Lake.
Grand Lux Inn
The Grand Lux Inn is about a 20 minute drive from the lake. It has free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, breakfast included, and other amenities.
Hampton Inn Tullahoma
This Hampton Inn is approximately 15 miles from Tims Ford Lake. The hotel has an outdoor pool, hot tub, free Wi-Fi, gym and breakfast included.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is also located in Tullahoma, about 15 miles from the lake. This Holiday Inn has a variety of amenities including free WiFi, a pool, a fitness center, and breakfast is included.
Click here to see more hotels in this area
how to get there
If you want to fly, the closest airports will be Tullahoma Regional Airport and Myers Smith Airport. From there you can use a rental car to reach Tims Ford Lake. From Tullahoma Regional Airport, it’s about a 23-minute drive via Awalt road and TN-130 N. From Myers Smith Airport, it’s about a 25-minute drive via Pleasant Grove Road.
Ending
Tims Ford Lake, located in Tims Ford State Park, is a great vacation destination for those who want to get out and have fun. There are a number of fun activities you can do in and around the lake. Like boating, kayaking, hiking, camping and more. You can stay in a cabin or campground in the same state park or sleep in a nearby hotel. Overall, it’s an amazing lake to visit in Tennessee and we hope you enjoyed our guide to visiting Tims Ford Lake. Happy travels!
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