U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District waives day-use fees, invites volunteers for National Public Lands Day on Sept. 26

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District waives day-use fees at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches Saturday, Sept. 26, in recognition of the 33rd annual National Public Lands Day.

District officials also invite the public to volunteer for cleanup and preservation projects at lakes and waterways throughout the Cumberland River basin.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the nation’s leading federal providers of outdoor recreation,” said Trey Church, chief of the Operations Section Technical Support Branch for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. “The Nashville District manages recreation areas that provide millions of visits annually and connect communities to public lands and waters for safe, affordable outdoor experiences.”

The fee waiver applies only to day-use boat launches and swim beaches that the Corps of Engineers manages. It does not cover camping, reservation fees for group picnic shelters, or specialized facility use. Outside concessionaires and partner agencies operating on Corps lands may choose whether to waive their fees.

Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation, National Public Lands Day represents the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. This year's national theme, "Caring for Our Shared America," highlights how stewardship of public waters and parks strengthens local communities as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

With about 280 recreation areas drawing more than 22 million visits annually, the Nashville District's lakes and shorelines drive local tourism and outdoor recreation.

Volunteers who complete physical service projects receive a coupon for one day of free entry to any participating federal recreation site nationwide, valid for one year.

Local volunteer opportunities

J. Percy Priest Lake: J. Percy Priest Lake hosts its National Public Lands Day event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Anderson Road Day Use Area. The lake partners with several Nashville-area organizations and clubs for the event. After registration, volunteers divide into groups and take a short pontoon ride to Bear, Raccoon, Pig, Hole-in-the-Wall and other islands to remove trash. Volunteers may also bring their own kayaks or boats. In partnership with Sunlife Marinas at Elm Hill, the Corps provides pontoons. Life jackets are available. At noon, park rangers collect full garbage bags from each island. To volunteer, follow J. Percy Priest Lake on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jpercypriestlake/.

Cheatham Lake: The Cheatham Lock and Dam Resource Manager’s Office hosts a cleanup at Cleeces Left Bank from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28. The office provides trash bags, gloves and grabbers. For more information, call 615-792-5697.

Cordell Hull Lake: The event seeks volunteers from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Defeated Creek Park and Salt Lick Creek Campground. At Salt Lick Creek Campground, volunteers plant trees and remove litter. At Defeated Creek Park, they plant trees, replace bench slats, install new benches and improve the bike trail. For more information or to register, contact Natural Resource Specialist Lucas Hix at 615-735-1034. Additional event details are available here: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/salt-lick-creek-campground-and-defeated-creek-park/national-pulic-lands-day-cordell-hull-lake

Dale Hollow Lake: Join the annual Dale Hollow Lake Shoreline Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 26, at Lillydale Campground. Volunteers receive trash bags and gloves to help remove debris along the lake’s shoreline. For more information or to register, contact Park Ranger Desmaray Brown at 931-243-3136. Follow Dale Hollow Lake on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dalehollowlake

Old Hickory Lake: Old Hickory Lake seeks volunteers to collect trash along the shoreline from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Lock 3 Park, 190 Lock 3 Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075. Organizers provide trash bags, gloves and grabbers. For more information, call the Old Hickory Lake Resource Office at 615-822-4846 or follow Old Hickory Lake on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oldhickorylake.

For more details on national events, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm .For local updates, volunteers should contact their nearest Nashville District lake resource office.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/About/Districts/Nashville-District/, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorpsand on X (formerly Twitter) at http://www.x.com/nashvillecorps. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest Nashville District employment and contracting opportunities at https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-nashville-district.

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