How to Use the Old Hickory Lake Lock & Dam

Located 25 miles upstream from Nashville, Tennessee, on the Cumberland River, Old Hickory Lake is a U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers reservoir. The lake is impounded by the Old Hickory Lock And Dam and covers 22,500 acres with more than 440 miles of shoreline. With its proximity to the Nashville metropolitan area, Old Hickory Lake, Lock and Dam constitutes a major regional recreation area. There are nine marinas, three campgrounds and 41 boat access sites. Fishing, boating, camping and hiking are available and facilities for these activities are managed by the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers.

Instructions

    • 1

      Consult the Old Hickory Lake home page at the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers website for general information on activities, events and accessibility at Old Hickory Lake Lock And Dam. Download maps and check the FAQ section for seasonal opening and closing dates for certain activities.

    • 2

      Reserve campsites at the two Corps Of Engineers Camping Areas, Cages Bend and Cedar Creek. Campsite reservations may be made 180 days in advance and picnic shelters may be reserved one year in advance. Reservations may be made online at the recreation.gov website for Federal recreational facilities or at the Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager's office by calling (615) 822-4846 or (615) 847-2395. A fee is charged at all camping and day use areas at Old Hickory Lake, Lock and Dam.

    • 3

      Get navigation information for boating on Old Hickory Lake at the Old Hickory Lake page at the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers website. The Navigation Information page includes aids to navigation such as buoys and markers. Navigation charts for the Cumberland river showing navigation channels, water depths, marinas and boat launch facilities are also available.

    • 4

      Apply for a fishing permit on Old Hickory Lake at any county clerk's office in Tennessee, at most commercial marinas and at many sporting goods stores or fishing/bait shops. Receive daily updates of fishing conditions at the Old Hickory Lake fishing page at the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers website. Data includes water temperatures, water conditions, fish activity and the operating schedule for the power-generation facility at the Old Hickory Dam. Information about the location and status of Fish Attractor areas maintained by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is also available from the Corps of Engineers website.

    • 5

      Download maps of the Old Hickory Lake Nature Trail from the Old Hickory Trails page of the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers website. The trail, built on an abandoned railroad bed, comprises three loops, each with different natural features. Also available at the Corps of Engineers site are maps of the Shutes Branch Mountain Biking Trail. The winding 5-mile trail offers varying terrain for beginners to advanced bikers.