Montgomery BellState Park Guide Plan your trip
Lake and wooded shoreline at Montgomery Bell State Park

Three lakes and several ways to slow down

The Lakes at Montgomery Bell State Park

Use the lakes differently: choose Lake Acorn for the park’s most familiar developed waterfront, Lake Woodhaven for a quieter setting, and Creech Hollow Lake as part of a trail-centered day. Confirm current access and activity rules before arriving.

Compare the lakesOpen the park map

Choose by experience

Start with what you want to do beside the water.

The three lakes are close enough to belong to one park visit, but they should not be treated as interchangeable. Access, facilities and permitted activities can change. Use this guide to narrow the choice, then verify the details that matter with Tennessee State Parks.

Compare Montgomery Bell’s lakes

LakeBest fitPlan aroundContinue
Lake AcornA first visit, developed park time and a convenient stop near other facilitiesCurrent swimming, fishing, paddling and shoreline-access guidanceOpen Lake Acorn guide →
Lake WoodhavenA quieter lake setting and a visit paired with nearby walkingWhere to park, shoreline access and current water-use rulesOpen the Lake Woodhaven guide →
Creech Hollow LakeTrail scenery, woodland photography and a slower nature-focused stopTrail conditions, route choice and access from the park roadOpen Creech Hollow Trail →

Build the water portion of the trip

Choose the activity before choosing the lake.

On the water

Boating and paddling

Compare practical access, equipment and safety considerations before bringing or renting a craft.

Plan a paddle → From shore or small craft

Fishing

Start with the current license, season and park rules, then match the lake to the kind of outing you want.

Open the fishing guide → Warm-weather planning

Swimming

Confirm whether designated swimming access is open and what supervision, hours or restrictions apply.

Check swimming guidance →

A balanced park day

Pair water with one other experience.

A lake stop works best when it has room to breathe. Combine a short hike with Lake Acorn, follow Creech Hollow Trail toward its namesake lake, or finish a golf or history day beside the water rather than stacking several demanding activities.

Before you go

Questions to settle before leaving home.

Which lake is best for a first visit?

Lake Acorn is the most familiar starting point because it sits within the developed park experience. The best choice still depends on the activity and current access.

Can I fish or paddle on every lake?

Rules, access and conditions can differ by lake and season. Confirm the specific activity with Tennessee State Parks before launching or fishing.

Is swimming always available?

No. Treat swimming access as a current operational detail, not a permanent promise. Check the official park page close to your visit.

How do the lakes connect with hiking?

Creech Hollow and Lake Woodhaven can be paired naturally with nearby trail experiences. Use the hiking comparison and park map to confirm distance and route.