J. Percy Priest Lake

At a glance

Visual character

“Large Corps lake 10 miles from downtown Nashville; dramatic dam spillway; limestone bluffs; cedar glades; production-friendly proximity to Nashville's major studio infrastructure”

About

J. Percy Priest Lake sits just 10 miles from downtown Nashville, making it the most production-accessible Corps of Engineers lake in Tennessee. The 14,200-acre reservoir on the Stones River offers limestone bluff shorelines, cedar glades, and a dramatic dam spillway — all within reach of Nashville's well-developed film and music video production infrastructure. The Nashville District requires an event permit for commercial filming, obtained through the lake resource manager. The dam structure provides striking engineering architecture and controlled water release visuals. Adjacent Stones River National Battlefield expands the historical location palette. The lake's proximity to Nashville means crew, equipment, and talent bases are all nearby, minimizing logistics costs. Producers working in Nashville routinely use Percy Priest for outdoor water sequences. Strong for music videos, automotive commercials, drama series, and any production needing a beautiful Tennessee lake setting without leaving the Metro.

Where you'll be