Going to the lake is a staple of summer fun for the family. We certainly have some beautiful lakes in Tennessee, but there’s one lake near Nashville that also has some sinister history to it. Center Hill Lake is a little over an hour east of Nashville. Just what makes it so eerie? It’s not what’s on top of that water, but what’s underneath. Explore it… if you dare!

Nothing is quite as spooky as a graveyard. But an underwater graveyard? Not knowing what's right under you makes it that much spookier. Center Hill Lake was once the site of a cemetery... but not now. Right?
Valerie Everett - Flickr
Could it be a watery graveyard down there? Maybe. Perhaps an old, dead family home (or ten)? You never know. There are probably no lake monsters, but... well, you never know.
The Center Hill Dam was constructed in 1948 to dam the Caney Fork River.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Wikipedia
Slowly, 18,000 acres of farmland, houses, schools, and churches became inundated. Memories and long histories all disappeared beneath the water, which would be named Center Hill Lake.

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The town moved its cemeteries by exhuming the bodies and transferring them to other local cemeteries, but the locals still think the area is haunted.
Thomas Hardy - Flickr
I mean... I don't blame them. This whole lake is so much eerier when you learn what's beneath.
On top of all of that, Smithsonian archaeologists discovered two Native American burial grounds near the soon-to-be submerged town.
Thomas Hardy - Flickr
The mounds had artifacts as old as 15,000 years, which are also now under the lake's water in an area known as The Narrow.
If you want to check it out for yourself, the Canoe The Caney company leads haunted canoe rides to the haunted "Cemetery Cove."
Brian Stansberry/Wikipedia
The trips run on Friday and Saturday nights from mid-September to mid-November. See the official Canoe the Canary website for details.

Check out the Haunted Canoe trip trailer below:

Looking for something more mellow and a little less creepy? No worries! Check out this Tennessee Wine Train. Need somewhere to stay while in Tennessee? Be sure to visit VRBO for the awesome offerings there.

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More to Explore

Center Hill Lake

Tori Jane | November 09, 2023
  1. Where is Center Hill Lake in Tennessee? 

Center Hill Lake is located in DeKalb County, Tennessee, and is actually a reservoir – and a pretty interesting one, at that! Some interesting facts about Center Hill Lake include:  

  • It’s a man-made lake created by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  
  • It is 28.47 miles in surface area, and 64 miles long.  
  • It has 415 miles of shoreline – excellent for camping, fishing, and more. Swim only in designated areas, though, please.  
  • At its deepest, it is 190 feet down to the bottom.  

Learn more about Center Hill Lake and all the beauty it has to offer.   

2. What are some other nice lakes in the Nashville area? 

Of course, Center Hill Lake isn’t the only lovely lake in the Nashville area. There are plenty more, which is great news for those who love the outdoors. Some of these Nashville-area lakes are ones like:  

  • Tims Ford Lake – This lake is underrated even by lifelong Nashville residents. Do yourself a favor and check it out!  
  • Old Hickory Lake – This lake is famous for its excellent fishing and boating opportunities. It’s also got a sandy beach that’s perfect for a day trip.  
  • Percy Priest Lake – This stunning lake is amazing for watching sunsets.  

Learn more about all the best lakes in the Nashville area.   

3. What are some amazing lakes to visit in Tennessee? 

Not planning on Nashville? No worries – there are tons more lakes in Tennessee all over the state worth your time and attention. Some of our favorite lakes in Tennessee are:  

  • Douglas Lake – This gorgeous, sparkling lake is located in eastern Tennessee and is outrageously clear.  
  • Radnor Lake – This one is also near Nashville and has amazing wildlife viewing, making it worth naming here.  
  • Norris Lake – This could be the clearest lake in the whole state; it’s enormous and spans five different counties!  

Learn more about all the best lakes in Tennessee.  

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