Percy Priest Lake is a hidden gem located in Nashville, Tennessee. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Highland Rim, this lake offers a plethora of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. With its crystal-clear water, stunning shoreline, and abundance of wildlife, Percy Priest Lake is quickly becoming a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. In this blog post, we will explore what makes Percy Priest Lake such a special place and why it should be on your bucket list of places to visit in Nashville.

Location
Percy Priest Lake is located in Davidson and Rutherford counties in middle Tennessee, just 10 miles east of Nashville. It is a part of the Cumberland River basin and stretches across over 14,000 acres of land. With almost 400 miles of shoreline, Percy Priest Lake is one of the most visited recreational areas in the Nashville area. The lake was created in 1968 after the completion of the J. Percy Priest Dam and is known for its scenic views and abundant wildlife. The lake is named after a congressman from Tennessee, Joseph P. Priest, who served from 1937 to 1964.

The lake has two main access points for visitors; the Percy Priest Lake Recreation Area and the Rockland Recreation Area. The Percy Priest Lake Recreation Area is located off Highway 70S, just south of Nashville and offers fishing, boating, camping, and swimming opportunities. The Rockland Recreation Area is located off I-40 at Exit 219 and offers camping, hiking, and picnicking opportunities. Both locations have ample parking, restrooms, picnic tables, playgrounds, and grills for guests to enjoy.

History
Percy Priest Lake is a beautiful lake located just east of Nashville, Tennessee. It was created in the early 1960s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of their Tennessee Valley Authority project. The lake was named after the prominent preacher, Percy Priest, who resided in the area at the time.
The lake covers an area of over 11,000 acres and offers a wide range of recreational activities for locals and visitors alike. It is known for its abundance of fish, as well as its many boat ramps, fishing piers, and marinas. In addition to fishing, visitors can also enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing.

In recent years, the Percy Priest Lake area has become increasingly popular with campers and hikers. Several campsites and trails can be found along the lake’s shoreline, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the lake while taking in the lush foliage and wildlife of the surrounding area.

Percy Priest Lake also serves as a home to various species of wildlife, including bald eagles, osprey, beavers, and blue heron. Visitors may also spot wild turkeys and deer roaming through the area.

Whether you are looking for a peaceful day out on the water or an outdoor adventure, Percy Priest Lake has something for everyone. With its beautiful scenery and abundance of activities, this hidden gem of Nashville is certainly worth exploring.

Wildlife
Percy Priest Lake is home to an abundance of wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Popular species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, white bass, and bluegill. There are also several types of turtles and water snakes.

Mammals in the area include beavers, raccoons, skunks, mink, white-tailed deer, and coyotes. Numerous bird species frequent the area including ospreys, herons, wood ducks, egrets, kingfishers, and Bald Eagles.

The lake is a popular spot for anglers and boaters alike, with plenty of fish to catch as well as ample opportunity to observe the local wildlife. Even if you’re not interested in fishing or boating, the shoreline of Percy Priest Lake is still worth exploring. There are many trails along the lake that offer a great view of the surrounding area as well as the chance to observe various wildlife in their natural habitats.

Activities
Percy Priest Lake is a popular destination for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Visitors to the lake can take advantage of the numerous activities available. Boating, fishing, and swimming are some of the most popular activities on the lake. Fishing is an especially popular activity as there are many different types of fish in the lake, including bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Visitors can also enjoy water skiing, wakeboarding, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and canoeing on the lake.

There are numerous camping sites located around the lake, making it an ideal spot for a weekend getaway. The area also offers plenty of trails for biking and hiking, as well as several scenic overlooks that offer breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding areas.

For those looking for a more relaxing experience, there are several picnic areas located around the lake. These spots offer the perfect opportunity to relax and take in the beauty of the lake while enjoying a peaceful picnic.

Whether you’re looking to get out and enjoy some outdoor activities or just relax with a picnic, Percy Priest Lake is the perfect destination for everyone. With so many different activities to choose from, visitors are sure to find something that suits their tastes.