J. Percy Priest Lake is a 14,000-acre US Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Stones River, just south of Nashville and straddling the Davidson, Wilson, and Rutherford county lines. For Wilson County residents — particularly those in the southern part of the county near Gladeville and the Long Hunter State Park corridor — Percy Priest is the county's "other" major lake, complementing Old Hickory Lake on the north side.

The Wilson County portion of the lake is defined, more than anything else, by Long Hunter State Park. The park spans roughly 2,600 acres of protected land on Percy Priest's eastern shoreline, partially inside Wilson County, and it's the main reason most Wilson County residents come to this lake rather than Old Hickory.

Quick Facts

• Size: ~14,000 acres
• Counties: Davidson, Wilson, Rutherford
• Manager: US Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District
• Primary state park: Long Hunter State Park (partially in Wilson County)
• Website: lrn.usace.army.mil/Locations/Lakes/J-Percy-Priest-Lake/

Source: US Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District. Retrieved 2026-04-18.

How Percy Priest Differs from Old Hickory Lake

For most Mt. Juliet and Lebanon residents, Old Hickory Lake is closer. Percy Priest is more accessible for south Wilson County (Gladeville area) and for people specifically drawn to Long Hunter's undeveloped shoreline.

Long Hunter State Park

Long Hunter State Park is the primary gateway to Percy Priest Lake for most Wilson County users — approximately 2,600 acres adjacent to the lake, partially in Wilson County.

Long Hunter offers: hiking trails (several named trails covering lakeshore, upland forest, and cedar glades), Couchville Lake (a separate motor-restricted smaller lake within the park), day-use picnic areas, Bryant Grove picnic area on Percy Priest proper, lakefront access with swimming areas, and wildlife viewing including bald eagles and osprey.

See the Long Hunter State Park guide for full trail specifics, camping, and Couchville Lake details.

Source: Tennessee State Parks, tnstateparks.com/parks/long-hunter. Retrieved 2026-04-18.

Recreation

Boating: Motorized boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding. Percy Priest carries moderate to heavy boat traffic on summer weekends.

Fishing: Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, striped), crappie, catfish, bluegill. Tennessee fishing license required per TWRA — tn.gov/twra.

Swimming: Designated areas at specific public-access locations; Long Hunter's beach is a popular option.

Hiking: Multiple named trails at Long Hunter State Park totaling several miles. Short loops suit family visits; longer trails suit serious hikers.

Paddle sports: Couchville Lake is particularly good for kayak/canoe/paddle board — motor-restricted and quieter than main Percy Priest.

Wildlife viewing: Bald eagles nest around the lake; Long Hunter's shoreline is a reliable viewing location late fall through early spring.

Getting There from Wilson County

Accessible via Couchville Pike from the Wilson County side or via I-40/SR-171 connections.

Best Times to Go

• Peak season: Memorial Day through Labor Day. Highest lake traffic; swim areas staffed (verify).
• Shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October): best weather with lighter crowds.
• Winter: Excellent for bald eagle viewing and quiet hiking; park trails remain accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J. Percy Priest Lake in Wilson County? Partially. Percy Priest spans Davidson, Wilson, and Rutherford counties. The Wilson County portion covers the eastern and southeastern shoreline.

What state park is on Percy Priest Lake? Long Hunter State Park — approximately 2,600 acres adjacent to the lake, partially in Wilson County, with hiking, Couchville Lake, picnic areas, and lake access.

How far is Long Hunter State Park from Mt. Juliet? Approximately 20–30 minutes by car.

Is there an admission fee for Long Hunter State Park? No general admission fee for day use; parking is free. Fees apply for camping, shelter rentals, and some events.

Is Percy Priest good for bald eagle viewing? Yes. Bald eagles nest around the lake; Long Hunter's shoreline is a reliable viewing location particularly late fall through early spring.

What's the difference between Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake? Both are Corps reservoirs in the Nashville metro. Old Hickory (22,500 acres, Cumberland River) is larger and extends north/east; Percy Priest (14,000 acres, Stones River) sits south of Nashville. Long Hunter State Park is Percy Priest's primary state park; Old Hickory has no equivalent.

A Local's Take

Percy Priest Lake is the Wilson County lake that's easier to forget about — most residents gravitate toward Old Hickory because it's closer and more developed. But for specific uses — Long Hunter State Park hiking, quieter paddle sports on Couchville Lake, bald eagle viewing — Percy Priest offers experiences that Old Hickory doesn't. For southern Wilson County residents (Gladeville, rural south-Wilson), Percy Priest is actually the more convenient lake. Spend a Saturday at Long Hunter: walk the Couchville Lake loop, picnic near Bryant Grove, and you'll know whether Percy Priest fits your life better than Old Hickory.

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Written by Jacob Armbrester, Real Estate Broker with Compass. Published 2026-04-30. Last updated 2026-04-19.