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There’s an so many fun things to do at Whiskey Cove and around Tims Ford Lake. Here are a few of our favorite activities both on and off the lake and at all times of the year:

Summer

Cove fun - Our cove is perfect for swimming off the dock, floating peacefully in the water and fishing from almost anywhere. Please feel free to use the Lily Pad and floats on the dock.

Kayaking - Our cove and end of the lake are perfect for cruising by kayak, so you'll find two kayaks for guest use. Head out of the cove and turn left toward Neal Bridge for a quick, easy and scenic route, or turn right to head toward some beautiful homes and bigger water.

Rent a Boat - If you didn’t bring a boat, several marinas nearby rent boats by the day. The closest one by water is Holiday Landing Marina, and the closest one by car is Tims Ford Marina. Holiday Landing will be about 12-15 minutes by car, but only about 7-10 minutes by boat, and it is a very easy to navigate route. Tims Ford Marina is about 10 minutes by car, but it will 10-15 minutes by boat (depending on your speed) back to our house. Boat Winchester will also deliver a boat to our dock, pending availability. Some boat rental companies also rent and/or sell tubes.

Jungle Boat – From mid-May to mid-September, you’ll find the Jungle Boat at Twin Creeks marina (about 15-20 minutes away by boat depending on speed). Jungle Boat is a floating water park that's fun for all ages with 6 attractions: Slide, Trampoline (x2), High jump, Diving board, and Rope swing. Look for open jump hours posted on Jungle Boat’s social media, or make a private booking for just your party to enjoy. 

Lakeside Dining & Music - No matter how you arrive, there are several fun places to eat, drink and hear live music on Tims Ford Lake. Little ones will also enjoy watching the fish and turtles that visit the marinas in hopes of food from the patrons. Check out our Where to Eat page for more details.

    Year-Round

    Tims Ford State Park is a jewel in the crown of Tennessee’s state park collection. Every season is a great season to visit and see the scenery. There are trails of varied lengths, difficulty and terrains,  plus the younger set will enjoy seeing the rescued eagles and owls in the Nature Center on site. Hike the trails in the off season to see the lake in complete peace. Rope bridges and other cool features abound on the trails at Tims Ford Lake State Park. There's also a small shop (with nice restrooms) in the Welcome Center with  cute Tims Ford Lake merchandise and maps of the park. The gift shop also has packaged ice cream treats, but the park is also home to Lakeview Marina, the only place on the lake to find hand-dipped ice cream cones and bowls. We recommend taking the Marble Plains Overlook Trail (the white checked line on this map) from the Nature Center to the stunning overlook. It is a 1.1 mile paved walkway that ends with an incredible view of the lake. From there, if you're feeling like hiking on an unpaved trail, take the Lost Creek Overlook Trail (the red checked line on this map) as it meanders the peaks and valleys of little coves and inlets along the shoreline, over rope bridges, and through the trees back to the Nature Center. Look for an old abandoned truck at the end and ask in the Welcome Center for the story of how it got there. 

    Golf - Situated on a peninsula surrounded by Tims Ford Lake, Bear Trace golf course has Champion Bermuda greens, 419 Bermuda fairways, and intriguing 6,764-yard layout (gold tees) all designed by Jack Nicklaus. The opening holes are a blend of links-style creations that gently roll across former pasture land, then gradually transition to wooded sites dominated by giant oak trees. This course is open year-round and includes a driving range, practice green and snack bar. Club rental and lessons are available as well.

      Fishing – Tims Ford Lake is one of the region’s most sought-after lakes to fish. In the warmer months, bluegill and croppy are easy to catch if you fish off our dock with worms or shiny bait. For a change of scenery, head over to Neal Bridge (5 minutes by car, 2 minutes by boat) and fish off the shore or dock there. In the colder months when the water in our cove goes down, there’s a beautiful fishing spot at Lost Creek boat ramp that is a mere 5-minute drive. Look for season-specific bait and tackle recommendations on YouTube.

      Sit by the Fire - The lakeside fire pit at Whiskey Cove is truly a year-round feature. In the cooler months, grab a blanket and warm drink and reconnect fireside at sunset. In the warmer months, grab the complimentary S'mores bucket we leave for guests and enjoy some sweet, sticky treats after a long day on the water. Turn off the lights to stargaze, then close your eyes and take in the sounds of summer. 

      On-site Massages - You and your guests can enjoy massages and other skin/relaxation/stretching services from Mountain Mobile Massage, a service that will come to Whiskey Cove to pamper you. Owner and lead therapist, Lauren (908-328-8769) is happy to customize a package to meet your needs. You're sure to leave the lake in a more relaxed state after a few hours of services from Lauren and her team. 

      Tennessee Whiskey Trail - At Whiskey Cove, you’re less than 45 minutes away from 4 stops on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail that are open year-round. In addition to Jack Daniel’s Distillery (less than 15 minutes away), you’ll find the George Dickel Distillery (30 minutes away), Prichard’s Distillery (35 minutes away) and the Uncle Nearest Distillery (40 minutes). See our Whiskey near Whiskey Cove page for details.

      Visit the Arcade - Got gamers in your group? High Score Arcade and Gaming Lounge in downtown Winchester has a mix of old school (i.e. Donkey Kong) and new age (i.e. FIFA World Cup) games, plus more physical games like air hockey. It’s the perfect option for the non-shoppers in your group if shopping around Winchester is in your plans.

        Fall

        Grandaddy’s Farm is a Fall Family experience that is first rate! Only 10 minutes from Whiskey Cove, adults and kids can look forward to hayrides, sliding down the big slides, and mastering the corn maze. Open mid-September through late October (closed Sundays and Mondays), you’ll find farm animals, a pumpkin patch, an impressive zinnia flower patch, and a grill that serves smoked BBQ and other hot food. Bring your appetite and be sure to try their delicious hamburgers, famous apple cider donuts, fresh kettle corn, and homemade desserts. You can purchase farm fresh homegrown produce, like apples, too.

        Hiking - Watch the leaves change color on a hike through Tims Ford State Park. Most of the trails have a big tree canopy, so even in the rain and cooler temperatures, this activity is doable with the right outerwear and shoes. 

        Game night, Movie night - The TV/media cabinets at Whiskey Cove are loaded with games and puzzles for a fun night in. Some of our favorites are Uno, Battleship, Scrabble and Rummy Royal (it's worth learning if you've never played). Cuddle up on the comfy couch under warm blankets for movie night, using streaming services or DVDs stored in the upstairs media cabinet. Whiskey Cove TVs are all equipped with guest access to YouTubeTV, Netflix and Disney+. If you log into your personal accounts on these or other streaming services, please remember to log out at check out.