Old Hickory Lake & Percy Priest: A Mt. Juliet Guide to the Lakes
Mt. Juliet calls itself “the city between the lakes,” and it earns the nickname: Old Hickory Lake sits just to the north, and J. Percy Priest Lake spreads out to the south. Both are U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs, which means miles of public shoreline, boat ramps, swim beaches, and parks within a short drive of almost any Mt. Juliet neighborhood. Here's how to actually use them.
Old Hickory Lake — the north shore
Old Hickory is a roughly 22,500-acre impoundment of the Cumberland River, stretching northeast from the Old Hickory Dam through Wilson, Sumner, Davidson, and Trousdale counties. It's the more developed, marina-heavy of the two — think pontoons, ski boats, lakeside restaurants, and established neighborhoods. For Mt. Juliet residents on the north side, it's the closer, more “boat-day” lake, with the Cedar Creek Recreation Area among the popular Corps day-use spots for launching, picnicking, and camping.
J. Percy Priest Lake — the south shore
Percy Priest is a roughly 14,000-acre lake on the Stones River, southwest of Mt. Juliet toward Nashville and Rutherford County. It tends to feel a touch more recreational and natural, with designated swim beaches, sailing, and the standout Long Hunter State Park on its eastern shore — easily reached from Mt. Juliet and one of the best free outdoor assets in the area.
Boat ramps & marinas
Both lakes have multiple Corps-maintained launch ramps; some are free and some charge a small day-use fee, and a few close seasonally or during low water — always check current conditions before you trailer out.
- Old Hickory: full-service marinas (fuel, slips, rentals, ship stores) plus Corps ramps like Cedar Creek. Good for keeping a boat in the water all season.
- Percy Priest: ramps at recreation areas including Cook, Anderson Road, and the Bryant Grove area near Long Hunter, plus a marina for rentals and slips.
Swimming & beaches
Percy Priest is the swimming lake: designated, no-cost-or-low-cost swim beaches at areas like Cook Recreation Area and Anderson Road give you sand, shallow entry, and summer crowds. Old Hickory swimming is more boat- and dock-based than beach-based. As always on Corps lakes, swim only in designated areas, never near ramps or dams, and keep an eye on kids and current.
Fishing
Both lakes fish well year-round with a Tennessee license. Old Hickory is known for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and striped bass; Percy Priest is a strong bass and crappie fishery with productive coves and creek channels. Spring and fall are prime; summer fishing shifts early-morning and evening to beat the heat and the recreational-boat traffic.
Parks & trails
- Long Hunter State Park (Percy Priest) — the headliner: hiking trails, the swimmable Couchville Lake loop, Bryant Grove, kayak/canoe access, and quiet shoreline. Free to enter.
- Corps day-use areas on both lakes — picnic shelters, playgrounds, and shoreline for the price of a parking fee (or free at some).
- Note: Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet is the city's main recreation park (ballfields, splash pad, trails) but is not lakefront — pair it with a lake trip for a full day.
Safety & etiquette
- Life jackets for everyone on board — Tennessee requires them for kids, and the Corps and TWRA enforce on the water.
- Mind no-wake zones near ramps, marinas, and coves, and give swimmers and anglers wide berth.
- Check the weather and water level; both lakes can pull or release water and get choppy fast in summer storms.
- Pack out trash and respect the day-use hours — these are public, shared spaces.
Bottom line
Living “between the lakes” is one of Mt. Juliet's quiet superpowers. Old Hickory to the north is your marina-and-pontoon lake; Percy Priest to the south is your swim-beach-and-state-park lake — and Long Hunter State Park alone is worth the short drive. Grab a Tennessee fishing license, check the Corps day-use info before you go, and the water's right there.
MtJuliet.com is your local guide for Mt. Juliet, TN — news, events, restaurants, and things to do. Sister sites: Murfreesboro.com for Rutherford County and NashVegas.com for Nashville.
