Cook Day Use Area
Campground · Tennessee · 2 bookable sites ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
J. Percy Priest Recreation Area (Recreation Area) · Open Access
- 2
- Bookable sites
- up to 100
- People per site
- 553 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Cook Day Use Area is a lakeside oasis in the hills of middle Tennessee, providing visitors with countless recreational activities on the lake and in the surrounding woods and grasslands.Recreation
The lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of its temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from, including fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.Fishing opportunities abound at J. Percy Priest Lake, with a wide variety of species available, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, Cherokee bass and white bass. Other species such as catfish, bluegill, bream and trout provide excellent opportunities for younger anglers.
A large sandy swimming beach provides guests of Cook Day Use Area with convenient access to swimming and comfortable sunbathing.
The Three Hickories Nature Trail is a 1.6 mile nature trail located in a wooded area within Cook Recreation Area.
Facilities
Cook Day Use Area offers two large group shelters for day use, which can accommodate 75 and 100 guests, making it an ideal spot for large parties and family functions.A large playground surrounded by lush, grassy areas are perfect for children to run around and enjoy the outdoors.
Natural Features
J. Percy Priest Dam and Lake was one of the first Corps of Engineers lakes to have recreation as part of its mission. The dam, completed in 1968, impounds 42 miles, with 14,200 surface acres of water.In soothing contrast to the sparkling waters of the lake are the adjacent 19,087 acres of grasslands and woodlands.
A highlight of the region, the Cedar Glades Natural Area, is home to countless wildlife and plant species, including the Tennessee coneflower.
Nearby Attractions
J. Percy Priest Lake is conveniently located about ten miles east of downtown Nashville, offering visitors countless cultural activities and the conveniences of a metro area.Cook Day Use Area is also close to the Hermitage, the historic home of President Andrew Jackson.
The facts
- 2 bookable sites
- 2 sites for day use only
- Up to 100 people per site
- Loops: COOK
Site types
- 2 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Shade
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.
2 campsites at Cook Day Use Area
Check-in 6:00 AM · Check-out 7:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COOK1 | COOK | Group Shelter Electric | — | Paved | — | 75 | |
| COOK2 | COOK | Group Shelter Electric | — | Paved | — | 100 |
Getting there
From downtown Nashville, TN, take I-40 east for 7 miles to exit 221B. Turn right on Old Hickory Boulevard, left on Bell Road, right on New Hope Road and right on Stewarts Ferry Pike. Follow the signs to the picnic shelters.
36.13667, -86.59583 · 36°8'12.0"N 86°35'45.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 4.3 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.9 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Cook Day Use Area
- Can you reserve a site at Cook Day Use Area?
- Yes, Cook Day Use Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Cook Day Use Area have?
- 2 sites.
- Does Cook Day Use Area have hookups?
- Electric.
Camping near Cook Day Use Area
- Seven Points (TN) 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Anderson Road Campground 2.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Smith Springs 3.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Poole Knobs 7.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Shutes Branch 7.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cedar Creek (TN) 10.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Old Hickory Beach 11 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lone Branch 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rockland Recreation Area 11.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Jefferson Springs 11.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- The Hermitage Hotel 10.5 mi · Facility
- Union Station Hotel Nashville, Autograph Collection 10.6 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 615-889-1975
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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