Hales Bar Resort & Marina

Hales Bar Resort & Marina provides public boat ramp access to Nickajack Lake at mile marker 431.0 on the Tennessee River, conveniently located just 15 miles south of Chattanooga near Interstate 24. The facility offers a range of amenities including boat rentals (pontoons and kayaks), making it an accessible option for paddlers and boaters of varying experience levels. As a full-service resort and marina, the site includes basic facilities and onsite services.

Paddlers should be aware that Nickajack Lake is a major reservoir on the Tennessee River, which is a significant waterway with substantial flow (averaging nearly 70,000 cubic feet per second). Water levels and current speed vary based on TVA dam operations upstream at Chickamauga Dam, so conditions can change significantly. The Tennessee River at this location is characterized by a gentle average gradient (0.8 ft/mile), making it generally suitable for recreational paddling, though current and dam releases should always be monitored. This section of the river offers relatively easy access to a major waterway system that extends hundreds of miles.

For current information about ramp conditions, hours of operation, rental availability, and any fees, contact Hales Bar Resort & Marina directly, as conditions may vary seasonally.