This Tennessee Lake Is An Unexpected Premier Scuba Diving Spot Thanks To Its Clear Waters

Why is Dale Hollow Lake so clear? How did a reservoir in rural Tennessee become one of the hottest scuba diving sites in this landlocked state? With its maximum visibility of 30 feet and water temperatures as high as 80°F, the conditions in Dale Hollow seem unnaturally perfect for diving. Even the depth defies expectations; explorers with deep-dive certifications can descend to 130 feet below the surface, and folks with open-water certifications have 30,990 acres of shallower sections to swim through. While many freshwater divers turn to former quarries, Dale Hollow is richer in biodiversity — including bass, muskie, and catfish — and surrounded by gentle shores and verdant forest.

There's no single explanation for how this body of water became so transparent, but no matter; any diver passing through the Volunteer State should consider a visit. Rural Tennessee is rich in outdoor escapes, including these 18 places to stargaze, and this northern lake on the Kentucky border is worth staying for a day or three.

There's also far more to see in Dale Hollow Lake than fish. The Army Corps of Engineers created the lake in 1943 with the completion of a new dam. As with many such reservoir projects, builders had to remove residents and flood the valley, and the village of Willow Grove vanished from the map. Yet traces of the ghost town are still there, submerged beneath cubic tons of fresh water; the structure that remains most intact is the Willow Grove School, whose outline is often visible from the surface. There's even a folktale to go with it: According to lore, a local youth named Eddie Irons died while riding a horse and has long been interred below the school's concrete porch.

Divers can scavenge the water for other Willow Grove artifacts as well, including an old bridge. And while the lake is free of tides and hostile wildlife, these depths are significant, and inexperienced divers should take precautions, such as these 12 tips for more effective, lower risk scuba diving.

You don't have to strap on fins and a compressed air tank to enjoy Dale Hollow Lake. This area is popular among swimmers and anglers, thanks to local beaches and boat launches, and equestrians can take advantage of surrounding bridle paths. You can set up a tent at a Dale Hollow campground, crash at one of the nearby motels, or even sleep right on the water, thanks to rentable houseboats. Dale Hollow feels remote, but it's only a two-hour drive from Nashville, making it a great overnight stay on your way to Knoxville or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lake is also on the cusp of the Bluegrass State, and travelers can start or finish a drive through Kentucky on these calm waters. If you're headed that way and still have an appetite for outdoor adventures, this unique landmark in Kentucky is a dream destination for climbers and hikers.