Overnight Camping and Paddling

J. Percy Priest is a great place to kayak. We will meet at the Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina at 8:30 am. Parking is free. The Marina has a person on duty and the gates are closed at night securing our vehicles. In case of an emergency, you can get out.

There are 24 islands that allow camping on a first come, first serve basis. We will paddle to a very scenic island for overnight camping. We will set up camp to 'stake our claim'; then paddle the Percy Priest Lake to explore the islands, shore line, wildlife and fishing. A Tennessee fishing license is required if you choose to fish. By the end of May, the air and water temperatures will be warm so that we can have some swimming fun also. We would love to have you join us.

You will need to provide your lunch on Saturday afternoon. Saturday night we will gather for a group dinner (menu to be determined and open for suggestions). On Sunday morning, Leslie and I will serve an all you can eat pancake breakfast. Then after a fabulous breakfast, we will continue to hang out together, paddle the lake and enjoy the day! You will need to provide your lunch for Sunday.

We will have a boat that we can use to ferry over large items that you may have (tents, air mattresses, coolers, chairs etc.) and firewood.

What to bring: Lunch and drinks for Saturday and Sunday, hat, sunglasses, sun screen, camera, fishing tackle (if you plan to fish), appropriate camping gear (see attached list for suggestions). http://paddling.meetu...

Directions:
Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina located off of Bell Road between and I-40 east and Murfreesboro Road.

From I -40 east, take exit 219 on to Stewarts Ferry Pike;
Travel south on Stewarts Ferry Pike which turns into Bell Road;
Travel south on Bell Road approximately 3 miles;
Turn left on to Hamilton Creek Road (there is a sign that says Hamilton Creek);
Follow signage to the Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina;
At the Marina, look for the people with the kayaks and canoes.

From I -24 east, take exit 59 on to Bell Road;
Travel northeast on Bell Road approximately 5 miles;
Turn right on to Hamilton Creek Road (there is a sign that says Hamilton Creek);
Follow signage to the Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina;
At the Marina, look for the people with the kayaks and canoes.

If you get lost:
Mark's cell phone: 390-7731
Leslie's cell phone: 681-3620
If you have questions please email.

About the Lake:
J. Percy Priest Lake is an artificial lake in north central Tennessee. It is formed by J. Percy Priest Dam, on the Stones River. The lake and dam are operated and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' and named for Congressman Percy Priest.

J. Percy Priest Lake covers portions of Davidson, Rutherford, and Wilson Counties and consists of 14,200 acres of water at summer pool elevation 490 feet above mean sea level. The average depth is 28.7 feet, but the deepest part of the lake is in the main river channel about 1/2 mile upstream of the dam at approximately 100 feet.