Living at Tims Ford Lake
Tims Ford Lake is a scenic reservoir in Southern Tennessee, nestled in Franklin and Moore Counties. Created in the 1970’s by the Tims Ford Dam on the Elk River, the lake spans over 10,000 acres (10,700 to be exact) and offers around 250 miles of shoreline. Known for its stunning views, crystal clear waters, and diverse recreational opportunities, it’s a popular spot for boating, fishing, water sports, and hiking.
The lake is stocked with smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, striped bass, and catfish, making it a destination for anglers. Trout can also be found below the dam.
Tims Ford State Park, located along its shores, has trails, cabins, and camping sites, enhancing the lake’s appeal to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park also boasts the Bear Trace Golf Course, designed by pro golfer Jack Nicklaus.
Real estate on Tims Ford Lake is highly sought after, with properties ranging from weekend retreats to full-time lakefront homes, and many of these homes are also attractive as vacation rentals.
Area Attractions
Quick Facts
Population (2018): approximately 20,000*
Zip Codes: 37398, 37330, 37306, 37388, 37352
County: Franklin and Moore Counties
School District: Franklin County School District, Moore County School District, Coffee County School District
*Combined area
Commutes
- Tullahoma, TN – About 20–30 minutes
- Manchester, TN – About 30–40 minutes
- Shelbyville, TN – About 40–50 minutes
- Fayetteville, TN – About 40–50 minutes
- See More
More About Tims Ford Lake
Nearby City Populations
Average Temp by Month
Schools Near Tims Ford Lake
The schools around Tims Ford Lake are part of highly regarded districts, offering quality education and a variety of extracurricular opportunities for students. Franklin and Moore counties feature a mix of well-rated public schools with small class sizes, ensuring personalized attention and a strong sense of community. Families also have access to private school options and specialized programs for a tailored education. These schools emphasize academic achievement while fostering values like teamwork and leadership through athletics, arts, and community involvement. Proximity to the lake provides unique learning opportunities, with environmental and outdoor education often integrated into student experiences.
Dining, Shopping, & Entertainment Near Tims Ford Lake
Dining, Shopping, & Entertainment Near Tims Ford Lake
Dining, shopping, and entertainment around Tims Ford Lake offer a delightful mix of small-town charm and modern convenience. The area features locally-owned restaurants serving everything from Southern comfort food to fresh, lake-to-table dishes. Nearby towns like Winchester and Lynchburg provide boutique shopping, antique stores, and specialty shops that highlight regional craftsmanship. Entertainment options range from live music and seasonal festivals to exploring the iconic Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg. With its laid-back atmosphere and vibrant local culture, the Tims Ford Lake area offers something for everyone, from casual outings to unique experiences that capture the heart of Tennessee living.
Downtown Winchester/Decherd has several trendy boutiques and shops, as well as big box stores like Home Depot, Walmart, and Tractor Supply.
Tullahoma boasts JCPenney, Hobby Lobby, Five Below, Marshall’s, Bath and Body Works, Old Navy, Lowes, Walmart, and more!
Downtown Lynchburg provides several unique shops to choose from including the Moonpie General Store, Sully’s Gifts and Collectibles, Jack Daniel’s Barrel Shop, Sweet Southern Spirit General Store and Candy Kitchen, just to name a few.
Grocery Stores
Local Favorite Restaurants
Local Events (Annual)
Public Parks & Recreation Near Tims Ford Lake
Tims Ford Lake is surrounded by excellent public parks and recreational facilities, offering a wide range of activities for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and pet owners. Tims Ford State Park is a centerpiece, featuring miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a marina for boating and fishing. Dry Creek Beach, located near Twin Creeks Marina in Winchester, is perfect for family outings. Nearby, Winchester City Park provides additional spots to relax by the water or enjoy outdoor activities. Winchester hosts a dog park where pet owners can take their pups, and the expansive green spaces around the lake and park trails are dog-friendly, allowing pets to join in the fun. These facilities make the Tims Ford Lake area a hub for recreation and relaxation amid stunning natural beauty.
Interested in viewing more? See our detailed lists below of different recreation opportunities OR use our interactive map by clicking on the sidebar toggle on the upper left.
Tims Ford Fishing Guides

Tims Ford Fishing Regulations
Campgrounds
Camping is also allowed on six islands on Tims Ford Lake, with a required permit from Tims Ford State Park.
Public Boat Ramps
RV/Boat Storage Facilities
Nearby Boat Sales/Repair
Boat Dock/Boat Lifts Sales & Service
Nearby Hospitals
Nearby Airports
Nearby Golf Courses
Marinas
Marina Restaurants

Commuting from Tims Ford Lake
Tims Ford Lake offers the perfect balance of peaceful lakeside living and convenient access to employment hubs and urban amenities. Whether you’re commuting to nearby towns or larger cities in Tennessee and the region, the area’s central location makes it easy to reach major employers and attractions. Below are the approximate commute times to key cities, offering insights into the accessibility and connectivity of this beautiful lakeside community.
- Tullahoma, TN – About 20–30 minutes. Home to Arnold Air Force Base and the AEDC (Arnold Engineering Development Complex), a major employer in aerospace and defense. Also includes Manufacturing and Engineering firms such as Jacobs and ATA.
- Manchester, TN – About 30–40 minutes. Features major employers like Coca-Cola Bottling, MDS Foods, and Batesville Casket Company. Proximity to Interstate 24 supports logistics and manufacturing businesses.
- Shelbyville, TN – About 40–50 minutes. Known for its equine industry, with horse training and agricultural employers, as well as Calsonic Kansei(automotive parts manufacturer).
- Fayetteville, TN – About 40–50 minutes. Home to Frito-Lay, Copperweld, and a variety of manufacturing and industrial employers.
- Huntsville, AL – About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (just across the state border). While in Alabama, it’s a critical employment hub close to Tims Ford Lake, with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal, and numerous tech companies in the growing aerospace and defense industries.
- Chattanooga, TN – About 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Hosts major employers like Volkswagen, Amazon, and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, along with a thriving logistics and tech sector.
- Nashville, TN – About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. A regional economic powerhouse with large employers in healthcare (HCA Healthcare), finance, music/entertainment, and logistics.
These cities provide a wide range of career opportunities within commuting distance, making Tims Ford Lake an ideal location for those seeking tranquil living with access to major job markets.
Popular Lake Subdivisions
Nearby Hotels

Contact a Tims Ford Lake Real Estate Agent Today!
When you’re ready to explore Tims Ford Lake homes for sale, we’re here to help. Call us at 931-307-4660, or if it’s easier, contact us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
Trending Home Searches at Tims Ford Lake
Searches by Property Type:
Searches by City:
Searches by Price
Searches by Zip Code
Subdivision Searches at Tims Ford Lake
Read All About Tims Ford Lake
Considering moving to Tims Ford Lake? Or maybe you are looking for that perfect vacation home? But you aren’t familiar with the different areas of [...]
Considering moving to Tims Ford Lake? Or maybe you are looking for that perfect vacation home? But you aren’t familiar with the different areas of [...]
Considering moving to Tims Ford Lake? Or maybe you are looking for that perfect vacation home? But you aren’t familiar with the different areas of [...]
We’re on YouTube!
Tims Ford Lake - Is one location better than another?
Tims Ford Lake - What you need to know about boat docks
Tims Ford Lake - Working w/ a local Realtor
Tims Ford Lake - Twin Creeks Marina
Tims Ford Lake - Lakeview Marina

Connect with the Tims Ford Lake Real Estate Experts!
Interested in learning more about living on Tims Ford Lake? Look no further!
Whether you’re looking for a Tims Ford Lake home now or in the future, we’re here to help. Call us at 931-307-4660, or if it’s easier, contact us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
Have you seen The Boat Guy?
Live on Tims Ford Lake November 30, 2024 3:06 pm