The questions travelers actually Google before they arrive — and the answers you'd get from a friend who lives on Center Hill Lake.
Getting there & around
Logistics
How big is Center Hill Lake?
About 65 miles long with over 400 miles of shoreline, spanning DeKalb, Putnam, White, and Warren counties. It was created in 1948 when the Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Caney Fork River for flood control and hydroelectric power.
What's the closest airport to Center Hill Lake?
Nashville International (BNA) is the nearest with regular commercial service, about an hour west. Most visitors fly into Nashville and drive.
Groceries, gas, urgent care
Essentials
Where's the closest grocery store to Center Hill Lake?
Food Lion, on South Congress Boulevard in Smithville, the DeKalb County seat — the main provisioning stop for the lake's marina cluster.
Where's the closest emergency room to Center Hill Lake?
Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb's emergency room, on West Main Street in Smithville — a 24-hour ER, the closest hospital-level care to the lake.
Where to eat
Food & drink
What's the best marina restaurant at Center Hill Lake?
Blue Water Grille, a floating-dock restaurant at Hurricane Marina, is widely considered the lake's premier dining spot. El Lago, a dog-friendly Mexican restaurant at Center Hill Marina & Yacht Club, is the alternative with a waterfront patio.
What's worth doing
Things to do
What is Edgar Evins State Park?
A roughly 6,000-acre state park on Center Hill Lake's DeKalb County shore, established in 1975 and named for state senator James Edgar Evins. The park leases its land from the Army Corps of Engineers, which built and administers Center Hill Dam.
On the water & on the trail
Outdoors
Where can I rent a boat at Center Hill Lake?
Nine marinas ring the lake. Hurricane Marina, the oldest on the lake, rents tritoons, wave runners, ski boats, kayaks, and paddleboards. Edgar Evins Marina, inside the state park, rents pontoons and houseboats with over 338 slips.
Is there public boat access at Center Hill Lake?
Yes — more than 30 access points along the shoreline, including state parks, recreation areas, and primitive boat ramps, beyond the marinas themselves.
Seasons & weather
When to come
When's the best time to visit Center Hill Lake?
Late spring through Labor Day for full marina and rental availability. Earl's Fish Camp and other seasonal spots close for the winter, typically December through March.