Visit Douglas Lake in East TN

Douglas Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Tennessee, and for good reason. Thousands of people visit Douglas Lake each year to enjoy the pristine water, panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains, lively marinas, lake activities, top-notch fishing, and fantastic lakeside accommodations. This guide will provide you with key information you need to know before you visit Douglas Lake, and everything you need to plan a great trip to the Lakeside of the Smokies.

History of Douglas Dam & Douglas Lake

Construction of the Douglas Dam was completed on February 19, 1943, forming the beautiful Douglas Lake. Douglas Dam is one of 12 hydroelectric dams that were built by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during 1942 and 1943 to meet the soaring demand for energy to produce goods (mainly aluminum for military airplanes) for World War II and to fuel the Manhattan Project.

Douglas Dam as it was under construction.

Historic Dandridge—The Best Small Town on the Water

The history around Douglas Lake is rich, especially in the lakeside town of Dandridge, TN. Historic sites including many old buildings, an inn that once hosted 3 US presidents—The Shepherd Inn, a Revolutionary War graveyard (located just down the street from the Jefferson County Courthouse), a house turned Civil War hospital—the Hynds House, and the site of The Battle of Dandridge, make Dandridge a hotspot of American history in Tennessee. Another key piece of history, and the reason Dandridge still exists today, is the Dandridge Dike. Also known as “The Dike that Saved Dandridge”, this-thousand-foot long, 50-foot-high, man-made embankment was constructed to prevent Douglas Lake from flooding Dandridge.

View of Downtown Dandrige towards the dike and Douglas Lake.

Thanks to the dike, Dandridge grew into a charming town and would eventually be voted the best small town on the water. Dandridge is home to many of the lovely Douglas Lake marinas we will discuss later in this article as well as Dandridge Dock, a Douglas Lake public access point. Plus, if there’s bad weather, you need a break from the sun, or you just want to add some variety to your vacation in the Lakeside of the Smokies, there are tons of things to do in Dandridge. Historic Downtown Dandridge is a charming and walkable area with great restaurants and shopping.

Summer’s day on Douglas Lake with a view of the Great Smoky Mountains in the horizon.

Douglas Lake Size & Geography

Douglas Lake is in the Lakeside of the Smokies, a scenic region of Jefferson County, TN, named for its two beautiful lakes (Douglas Lake and Cherokee Lake) and location in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Douglas Lake’s location makes for incredible views of the Smoky Mountains and an easy trip for anyone visiting The Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg.

Douglas Lake has 555-miles of shoreline, most of which is undeveloped, and a surface area of over 30,000 acres. Douglas Lake water levels can rise or fall as much as 20 feet in a day and vary seasonally based on rain fall and dam control, but the maximum depth of Douglas Lake is around 140 feet.

Things to Do on Douglas Lake

Douglas Lake is a great destination for a family vacation, romantic trip, or weekend getaway. There’s so much fun to be had out on the water and along the shore.

Boating on Douglas Lake

Where can you put your boat in the water on Douglas Lake? There are plenty of boat ramps spread across the shore, so it’s easy to find a place to start your day on the water. Here is the full list of Douglas Lake boat ramps and information about locations, pricing, parking etc.

Douglas Lake Boat Rentals

No boat? No problem. Rent a boat on Douglas Lake to explore the beautiful area, hop from marina to marina, and be the captain of your own vacation destiny. Wondering where to rent a boat on Douglas Lake? Here’s a list of marinas that offer hourly or daily boat rentals as well as the type of watercrafts they have available.

• Swann’s Marina: pontoons and jon boats
• Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina: pontoons
• Lighthouse Pointe Marina & Boat Club: pontoons (pet-friendly boat rentals)
• Mountain Harbor Inn: pontoons, speed boats, fishing boats
• Smoky Mountain H2O Watersports: pontoons, tritoons, waverunners (overnight boat rentals available)
• Lake Life Pontoon Rental

Watersports on Douglas Lake

Take a break from cruising, swimming, and floating to try something a little more adventurous during your time at Douglas Lake. Many of the marinas that offer boat rentals also offer watersport equipment rentals! Tow-watersports such as tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, and surfing are fun for participants and spectators alike. You might even get an epic wipeout on camera if you’re lucky. Boats aren’t the only way to get around Douglas Lake, paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats are great for exploring and getting a little exercise. If you have the need for speed, you’re in luck—there are jet ski rentals on Douglas Lake too!

Douglas Lake Watersports Rentals:

• Smoky Mountain H2O Sports: Jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, tubes, skis, wakeboards, kneeboards
• Mountain Harbor Inn: kayaks, canoes, paddleboards
• Indian Creek Dock: kayaks, pedal boats, paddle boards, canoes

Instagram’s @MidWestFisherGal taking advantage of Douglas Lake fishing!

Go Fishing on Douglas Lake

Douglas Lake fishing attracts anglers from across the country to the Lakeside of the Smokies. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner fisherman, it would be a shame to visit Douglas Lake without taking a shot at reeling in a big one. What kind of fish are in Douglas Lake? Douglas Lake is widely regarded as one of the best Bass fishing destinations in the country, but you can also catch Crappie, Walleye, Sauger, and Bluegill! If you’re new to fishing, or at least new to fishing on Douglas Lake, a fishing guide can help you make the most of your fishing trip by offering pointers and showing you the best places to fish on Douglas Lake.

Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort on Douglas Lake

Marinas on Douglas Lake in East Tennessee

Douglas Lake marinas are your gateway to a great time in the Lakeside of the Smokies! Great food, boat rentals, fun activities, lakeside accommodations–you’ll find it all along the shore. Here are some of the best marinas on Douglas Lake.

Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort & Marina

Relatively new to the area is Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort and Marina! The marina is home to a bar and grill and offers annual boat slip rentals. You can enjoy a great meal with a great view of Douglas Lake and the Smoky Mountains at Cowboy’s Bar & Grill. When your day on the lake is over, the fun doesn’t have to stop—Smoky Mountain Lakeside Resort has live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Night during the summer!

Swann’s Marina

Founded in 1943, Swann’s Marina is one of the oldest marinas on Douglas Lake. Conveniently located just a mile off I-40 Exit 424 in Dandridge, this charming marina is home to The Millstone Restaurant, a campground, rental campers and cabins, a shop, and full-service marina. Jon boat rentals, live bait, a fish cleaning station, and the ability to get a TWRA fishing license (you need one of these to fish in TN!) on site make it a great place for fisherman to visit. Patrons can also rent a pontoon boat or kayak to explore the lake or a golf cart to get around the property.

Indian Creek Dock

Indian Creek Dock is under new ownership and geared up to provide everything you need for a fun visit to Douglas Lake! Utilize the marina essentials—fuel dock, store, boat slips, etc. Stay on site in a lakefront rental cabin or set up camp in your RV. Maximize your fun on the Douglas Lake by exploring the water in a variety of vessels, Indian Creek Dock offers pontoon, kayak, pedal boat, paddle board, and canoe rentals.

The Point Resort & Marina

Located just across the bridge from downtown Dandridge, The Point Resort is a great place to stay if you want to enjoy the lake and explore the shops, restaurants, and historic sites of Tennessee’s second oldest town. The property includes a full-service marina with a fuel dock, boat ramp, and wet slips, as well as two on-site dining options (The Point Restaurant and Lakeside Café). As you might have guessed from the name, The Point Resort offers overnight accommodations—RV campsites, cabins, and suites.

Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge, TN, on Douglas Lake