Nickajack Lake
Nickajack Lake
46 miles of the Tennessee River with boat ramps at the dam, two campgrounds and Hales Bar Marina, a marina that rents boats and kayaks, and a cave where thousands of gray bats fly out at dusk.
Get on the water
Put in at Nickajack Dam, Marion County Park, Shellmound or Hales Bar Marina. Hales Bar rents pontoon boats and kayaks if you didn’t bring your own. Marion County Park has a designated swimming area, and Shellmound also has swimming.
Fish it
Nickajack holds largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass, catfish and crappie. Marion County Park has a fishing pier with parking near the water. Most anglers 13 and older need a Tennessee license, visitors included.
Watch the bats
At dusk in summer, gray bats pour out of a flooded cave on the lake. Watch free from the boardwalk, or book a sunset kayak tour and see them from the water.
Stay on the lake
Guild · Cabins and RV
Hales Bar Marina & Resort
Floating cabins, land cabins and 53 full-hookup RV sites. Book by phone.
See the marina
Nickajack Lake · Lake house
Peaceful Lake House
See the listing
Nickajack Lake · Treehouse
Blue Heron Treehouse
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Whitwell · Lake house
Nickajack Lake Private Waterfront Retreat
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Jasper · Campground
Shellmound Campground
Lakeside sites with water and electric at Nickajack Dam. First come, first served.
See campsite details
Jasper · Campground
Marion County Park & Lake
County campground on US-41 with a boat ramp, fishing pier and swimming area. Phone reservations.
See campsite detailsKeep planning
Staying the night?
Cabins, lake houses, hotels and campgrounds across Marion County.