The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed Cordell Hull Lake on the Cumberland River in Tennessee. With 11,960 surface acres of water and 381 miles of shoreline, the lake has become a popular recreational destination. The temperatures tend to be hot during the late spring to early fall, with mostly mild temperatures the remainder of the year. This provides visitors with many months to enjoy the recreational activities the lake has to offer.
There are many areas of the lake to explore with several recreation areas that visitors can access for day-use. At Defeated Creek Park, hikers can explore the Bearwaller Gap Trail. Closer to the dam is the Turkey Creek Nature Trail. Boat ramps at Cordell Hull Lake are plentiful across the recreation areas, providing easy and quick access for boats, whether it be for leisure or fishing.
Salt Lick Creek and Defeated Creek Park both have campgrounds for RVers and tent campers looking to stay overnight. There are over 200 campsites between the two campgrounds, all with electric and water hookups. Hot showers, flush toilets, and many other amenities are at each of the campgrounds. Campsite reservations can be made online prior to visiting.
Cordell Hull Lake is in Tennessee about 60 miles east of Nashville. There are many communities around the lake, including Gainesboro and Carthage, which aren’t far from the campgrounds. It’s just a short drive from many of the recreation areas for fuel, snacks, and other services.
There are many recreation areas at Cordell Hull Lake. Most are several miles apart, making it necessary to drive if you want to access some attractions or amenities such as trails or swimming beaches. Parking is available at the day-use areas.
Overnight guests have the option between two Corps of Engineers campgrounds, Salt Lick Creek and Defeated Creek Park. Both campgrounds have long and spacious campsites, many of which can accommodate big rigs. Once set up at camp, there are many amenities at each campground that can be accessed by just a short walk.
Near the town of Carthage, Defeated Creek Park has a campground with 155 campsites. Each of the campsites has electric and water hookups, and 58 of the sites have a sewer connection. Many of the campsites are lakefront, and others have fantastic lake views. Even those that aren’t on the lake are just a short walk away.
Large groups may want to reserve one of the two day-use picnic shelters, both with electricity and water. Other amenities include a boat ramp, a playground, and a beach. A marina is also located next to the campground for visitors with boats. The campground is pet-friendly, so visitors are welcome to bring their pets along.
After a long day of hiking, boating, and other recreational activities, campers will want to head back to their campsite to relax around a crackling campfire or to enjoy a game around the picnic table. The campsites are spacious, with plenty of extra room between neighboring sites.
Salt Lick Campground is near Gainesboro, TN. This campground has 150 campsites with hookups for RV guests. It has many amenities to make overnight stays comfortable and has several recreational opportunities. The visitor center is located within the Salt Lick Creek recreation area. The park also has a boat ramp and playground.
Each of the 150 campsites has water and electric hookups and 29 also have sewer. The electric hookups are a mix of 30 and 50 amp. The many trees throughout the campground provide campers with shade as they relax around the picnic table or campfire ring at their site.
The many campground amenities will make for a comfortable stay. Hot showers and flush toilets are located at the campground. Those who plan to stay awhile may want to take advantage of the on-site laundry facilities. If staying at a campsite without a sewer connection, the campground has a dump station.
At 11,960 surface acres, Cordell Hull Lake has plenty of space for boating, kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports. There are nearly 400 miles of shoreline to explore on the lake. While out on the water, expect to see many different types of waterfowl and other birds near the shore or perched in a tree. Two commercial marinas are on the lake, providing boaters with fuel and other supplies.
Swimming is a popular activity at Cordell Hull Lake. Swimming is allowed in most areas on the lake, but it is encouraged to swim only in designated swimming areas. There are three swimming areas with sandy beaches that are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These beaches have a shallow entry into the water, though the water does become deep. A playground and restrooms are located near each of the swimming areas.
Cordell Hull Lake has many picnic areas, including several group picnic shelters. The shelters are reservable in advance, and any unreserved shelters become available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are many amenities nearby, making these picnic areas perfect for small and large gatherings. A sandy swimming beach, playground, boat ramp, and restrooms are all just a short distance from the picnic shelters.
Cordell Hull Lake is a popular destination for fishing with both cold and warm water. Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake are sources of cold water, while Roaring River is a warm water source. Roaring River has an abundance of smallmouth bass and rock bass, making it a prime fishing location. Other popular fish include white bass, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and gizzard shad.
The abundant wildlife makes hunting at Cordell Hull Lake appealing. There are about 24,893 acres of land surrounding the lake and dam and hunting is permitted in many of the areas. Popular game includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, fox, and raccoon. Become familiar with areas where hunting is permitted as well as other state hunting regulations prior to your trip.
There are many trails at Cordell Hull Lake whether you’re hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. For hikers, the six-mile-long Bearwaller Gap Trail offers many scenic views. The trail can be accessed near Defeated Creek Campground. Turkey Creek Nature Trail is a ½-mile ADA accessible trail. This trail runs near the dam. Equestrians will want to head near Granville, where they will find several trails for horseback riding. Mountain bikes are welcome at the Bear Wheels Mountain Bike Trail. This trail system consists of three trails ranging from under one mile to three miles in length.
