Just a few feet away!

• Visit the “Million Dollar Dike” and see the structure that saved the Town from flooding in the 1940’s when the lake was enlarged to create power for Oak Ridge during WWII.

• Take the Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Revolutionary War Graveyard and see where the area was originally settled.

• Rent a boat, kayak, or paddle board for a day of fun on the lake, then enjoy an evening of lakeside dining at the Point Marina.

• Hike through the TVA Hiking Trail across from the Point Marina and enjoy breathtaking views of Douglas Lake.

• Shop in one of our many boutiques or antique stores in the Downtown District.

Smoky Mountain National Park

Nestled in the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dandridge is about an hour drive from one of the most visited national parks in America. The park is renowned for its bio-diversity, the beauty of its mountain range and its Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

A hiker’s paradise with short and strenuous trails, the Park also offers camping, fishing, picnicking and auto touring. The Park offers Ranger-guided tours in spring, summer and fall.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is considered a hiker’s dream with over 800 miles of maintained trails. The Park is a sanctuary for an array of wild plants and animals, including bears deer and elk. Some treks may require backcountry camping.

Lakes & Outdoors

Jefferson County is all about the great outdoors! It has Cherokee Lake on its northern border and Douglas Lake on its southern border attracting visitors who enjoy swimming, camping, fishing, skiing and boating.

The Douglas Reservoir is located at the foothills of Smoky Mountains on the French Broad River and provides 555 miles of shoreline and about 30,400 acres of water surface for recreation activities. It attracts more than 1.7 million recreation visits a year. Both Douglas and Cherokee lakes have similar fish populations offering anglers crappie, black crappie, largemouth bass, black bass, small mouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Although there is no closed fishing season, fish bite best from April to October.

Both lakes have several access areas, docks, camping areas and full service marinas. They are patrolled by TVA’s Public Safety Service and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. For the latest information on lake levels and stream flows contact TVA’s Lake Information Line 1-800-238-2264 or 865-623-2264.

Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses may be purchased in the Jefferson County Clerk’s office located at the Court House in Dandridge and other locations throughout the county. Tennessee residents over 65 are not required to buy a license; but if requested, they must prove their age and residence.

Douglas Lake also offers pontoon, Jet Ski, bass fishing boat and paddle boat rentals, covered and open boat slips, and dry stack facilities.

Horseback riding, English and Western riding instructions plus an “Equestrian Summer Camp” for children are also available in Dandridge. Overnight stalls and accommodations are available for those transporting or traveling with horses on I-40.