The Best Boat Rentals in Old Hickory Lake

Expect most pontoons and tritoons to run about $90–$150 per hour, with many owners offering half-day outings for roughly $400–$700. Wake and surf boats generally range from about $120–$225+ per hour depending on the season, crew size, and gear. Small cruisers and “yacht-style” day boats for celebrations usually start around $275–$375 per hour. Rates usually include the boat, required safety gear, and basic orientation; listings may add taxes, platform fees, fuel, or a captain’s fee if you choose a captained charter. Many owners offer discounts for weekday or multi-hour bookings and will clarify what’s included before you pay.

The most popular choices here are spacious pontoon and tritoon boats for relaxed cruising and coves, wake and ski boats set up for tubing and wakesurfing, nimble bowriders and deck boats for mixed groups, and small cruisers for special occasions. Fishing-focused powerboats are also available. Sailboats and large overnight houseboats are less common on Old Hickory Lake compared with other Tennessee reservoirs.

If you want a turnkey day—especially for birthdays, bachelorettes, or when your group is new to the lake—choose a captained trip. The captain handles docking, routing to calm coves, and all safety decisions. Confident boaters who meet Tennessee’s education rules often choose self-operated pontoons or bowriders to keep costs down and set their own pace. If you’re on the fence, book a captain for your first outing, learn the lake’s busy zones and navigation markers, and consider a self-operated rental next time.

Common meet-up spots include Blue Turtle Bay Marina in Old Hickory and Creekwood Marina in Hendersonville, with other frequent pick-ups at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet, Gallatin Marina in Gallatin, and the public ramps at Rockland Recreation Area. Your owner or captain will confirm the exact dock, parking details, and any gate codes before your trip.

You’ll cruise along the Cumberland River reservoir past wooded shorelines, waterfront homes, and expansive recreation areas like Rockland, Sanders Ferry, and Shutes Branch. Many outings idle near the Old Hickory Lock and Dam for photos, then head to quiet coves for swimming. Wildlife sightings are common—great blue herons and egrets in summer, with occasional bald eagles in the cooler months. Up the lake, the Bledsoe Creek embayment offers a scenic, protected stretch for an easy cruise.

For self-operated rentals, Tennessee requires boaters born after January 1, 1989, who are Tennessee residents to carry the TWRA Boating Safety Education Certificate when operating a motorized vessel. Non‑residents born after that date must carry proof of completing a NASBLA‑approved course from their home state. Children under 12 may not operate a powered vessel unless directly supervised by an adult who can take immediate control. Captained charters do not require you to hold any license because the captain is the operator.

Yes. Most listings welcome families and provide U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets for the stated capacity. By Tennessee law, children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while on an open deck when the boat is underway. If you need infant or youth sizes, tell the owner your child’s weight ahead of time so the correct jackets are on board. Boats also carry standard safety equipment such as throwable flotation and sound signaling devices.

Nearly all rentals allow you to bring snacks, picnic spreads, and beverages, and many boats include coolers or allow you to bring your own with ice. Owners commonly request no glass bottles on deck to keep everyone safe. If you’d like to dock-and-dine, plan a stop at waterfront spots on the lake; your captain or owner can suggest timing and the best marina to tie up based on your route and reservation windows.

Many owners allow well-behaved dogs with prior approval, often with a modest cleaning or pet fee. Keep pets leashed at the dock, bring a towel and water bowl, and avoid sharp claws on upholstery. If your itinerary includes swim beaches, note that pets may be restricted from designated swim areas on shore; your captain can point you to pet‑friendly coves for a dip from the boat instead.

Summer afternoons can bring pop‑up thunderstorms, while mornings are typically calmer with smoother water. If hazardous weather is forecast or conditions turn unsafe—lightning, high winds, or severe storms—most owners will offer to reschedule or issue a weather‑related refund per the listing’s policy. To maximize flexibility, consider a weekday morning start, and always build a little buffer around your plans in peak summer.

Absolutely. Pontoons and small cruisers are ideal for celebrations, with comfortable seating, Bluetooth audio, and swim ladders for easy water time. For active groups, a wake boat with a captain keeps the day moving with tubing and wakesurfing. Be sure to share your headcount and vibe when you inquire so the owner can recommend the right boat, confirm legal capacity, and suggest a route with calm water for photos and a safe swim stop.

Prime boating season runs from late April through September, with warmest water typically June through early September. Major boating holidays—Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day—are the busiest days on the lake. Hendersonville’s Freedom Festival fireworks on or around July 3 and area July 4th shows also draw crowds, so plan early and expect marina and ramp congestion. For the smoothest ride and easier parking, choose weekdays over weekends and start in the morning or finish with a sunset cruise. Pleasant shoulder‑season days in late September and October can be gorgeous and less crowded.

Beyond your confirmed pick‑up, many boaters stage from Blue Turtle Bay Marina or Creekwood Marina on the lower lake, or from Cedar Creek Marina and Gallatin Marina farther east. For a swim-and‑relax day, your captain may suggest anchoring just outside the marked swim areas at Old Hickory Beach, Laguardo, or Cedar Creek, or slipping into a protected cove away from main‑channel wakes. Always stay clear of buoyed swim zones and give wide berth to the lock, dam, and commercial traffic.

Two easy wins are a slow photo cruise past the Old Hickory Lock and Dam and a stop for dock‑and‑dine during your outing. Nature lovers enjoy exploring the quieter upper reaches toward the Bledsoe Creek arm, where you’re more likely to spot herons and other waterbirds, especially in the morning. If your timing overlaps with local fireworks in early July, some groups plan a late‑day cruise, anchor early in a safe cove, and watch from the water before returning with a captain who knows the night‑time route.