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South Holston Lake

Bristol, Kentucky · Sullivan County · Facility

Boat, kayak, water-ski and fish the meandering shoreline of this TVA lake. Launch your watercraft from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s ramp on US 421 or from Little Oak Campground off Forest Road #87. You can camp near the water at Little Oak and Jacobs Creek Campgrounds.Observation Knob at TVA’s South Holston Da…

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36.54734, -82.04777
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About South Holston Lake

Boat, kayak, water-ski and fish the meandering shoreline of this TVA lake. Launch your watercraft from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s ramp on US 421 or from Little Oak Campground off Forest Road #87. You can camp near the water at Little Oak and Jacobs Creek Campgrounds.Observation Knob at TVA’s South Holston Dam is a great place to view the lake against thebackdrop of Holston Mountain. Look for bald eagles, reintroduced in the 1990s. Loons, buffleheads, mallards and ring-billed gulls are among the area’s waterfowl species.

Plan Your Visit to South Holston Lake

Heading to South Holston Lake? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for South Holston Lake?

No central reservation system listed for South Holston Lake. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/240538) for the latest entry policy and availability.