Outdoor Recreation
The Highlands of Tennessee has numerous outdoor and recreation areas to explore and play! We’ve got everything from state and local parks, numerous golf courses, three lakes built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and so much more!
If you love outdoor sports – boating, hunting, fishing and the natural world – or if you like to observe wildlife in your own backyard, we have it all.
From leisure fishing to state and national fishing tournaments, unique fishing opportunities are abundant in the region. With two city-owned lakes, numerous rivers and streams that traverse the community, and three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes within a few minutes drive, Cookeville offers some of the best fishing in Tennessee.
Also a number of wildlife areas and refutes managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are available to the public for hunting. Regulations do apply. Hunting on private property is allowed with owner’s permission.
Download our map of the Upper Cumberland and nearby state parks
Cookeville-Putnam County has more than 10 local parks to enjoy throughout the year.
Walking & Hiking Trails
- Burgess Falls State Park
- Cane Creek Park
- Edgar Evins State Park
- Fall Creek Falls
- Rock Island State Park
- Standing Stone State Park
Lakes
Three major Corps of Engineer lakes, Center Hill Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, provide the Highlands with 1,400-plus miles of shoreline, located within a 30-minute drive.
City Lake - This 40-acre national park has a fishing pier, hiking trails, waterfall overlook, and boat launch ramp.
