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outdoor
Patrick Henry Lake
Holston River impoundment just south of Kingsport
Kingsport, Tennessee
Photo: WorldIslandInfo.com, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- City
- Kingsport
- Cell signal
- moderate signal
- Admission
- Free admission
- National Register of Historic Places · 2017
Patrick Henry Lake is a TVA reservoir on the Holston River south of Kingsport, formed by Fort Patrick Henry Dam. Shoreline access for fishing and small-boat use. Less developed than Boone or South Holston, but a quiet local favorite for paddling and bank fishing.
Fort Patrick Henry Dam, a concrete gravity dam 95 feet high and 737 feet long, impounds this 872-acre reservoir on the South Fork Holston River. The Tennessee Valley Authority began work on May 14, 1951, and closed the gates October 27, 1953, giving it a hydropower capacity of 59,400 kilowatts. It is the lowermost of TVA's dams on the South Fork Holston, below Boone, South Holston, and Watauga. The name honors a Revolutionary War fort built in 1776 at nearby Long Island of the Holston.
Visit Info
all: Dawn to dusk
Fort Patrick Henry Dam Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660
Parking: Roadside pull-offs and small TVA access lots.
Visitor Tips
- ›Best for kayak/canoe, small launch areas only
- ›Fishing license required
- ›Quieter than Boone or South Holston
Stay near this stop
Turn this into an overnight trip.
These places to stay are closest to Patrick Henry Lake. Use them as your base, then add nearby food, trails, and events.
Featured in Routes
What to know before you go
- Access
- Limited developed access, primarily roadside pull-offs.
- Parking
- Roadside pull-offs and small TVA access lots.
- Cell signal
- Moderate cell signal — main areas covered, expect dead spots
- Tips
- Best for kayak/canoe, small launch areas only
- Fishing license required
- Quieter than Boone or South Holston
Pair this with
Pair Patrick Henry Lake with Pal's Sudden Service (Original), Miracle Field at Domtar Park, and MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center.
Within 6 miles, you can chain these into a half-day without driving back.
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Verified 2026-07-01 · next review 2026-09-29
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