South Holston Lake is the largest lake in the Tri-Cities with over 7,500 acres of surface area. It begins near Bristol, Tennessee and crosses the state line into Bristol, Virginia. It’s well-known in the area for its numerous fishing-friendly coves and a large wide-open main channel that is perfect for skiing, wakeboarding, and other water sports.

The sprawling size of the lake means it has several options for marinas no matter what part of the shore you’re closest to. Here’s a look at each marina, where they’re located, and what they offer.

South Holston Lake Marinas

Friendship Marina in Bristol, TN

Located at: 356 Friendship Road
Close to: 9 miles from Shady Valley
Phone: (423) 878-3128
Website: www.friendshipresortandmarina.com

Friendship Marina is the only marina on the “other” side of South Holston Lake; it’s nearly in the middle of Mountain City and Bristol. It lies deep within the Cherokee National Forest giving it plenty of gorgeous views and undeveloped shorelines. The marina offers covered and uncovered rental slips, fuel, a general store, and restrooms. A dealership on the site sells new and used boats, trailers, and boat lifts.

Lake View Dock in Bristol, TN

Located at: 992 Lakeview Dock Road
Close to: 13 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway
Phone: (423) 878-4331
Website: www.lakeviewdockhome.com

Lake View Dock is a full service marina offering open and covered rental slips. Amenities at the marina include gas pumps, public restrooms and a general store with a variety of fishing supplies, boating and camping supplies, snacks, and much more. The Wheelhouse Restaurant at the marina has draft beer on tap and serves fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, pizzas, and salads.

The Carefree Boat Club keeps its South Holston Lake fleet at Lake View Dock. In lieu of rentals, members of the Carefree Boat Club have access to the entire South Holston fleet of luxury pontoon and sport boats, as well as the fleets on Boone and Watauga Lakes and every other club location in the United States and Canada. If you’re planning on visiting the lake often but don’t want to own a boat, a boat club membership may be a great long-term plan for you and your family. Click here to learn more about the Carefree Boat Club and its benefits over renting or owning a boat.

Lake View Dock in Bristol, TN

Located at: 191 Shady Ford Road
Close to: 5 miles from Bristol Caverns
Phone: (423) 878-3721
Website: www.laurelmarina.com

Slips available for rent at Lake View Dock include covered and uncovered spots in a variety of sizes up to 120’ houseboats and sailboats. Some slips have available lifts, power, cable, and deck lockers. Lake View Dock has a separate location for new and used boat sales. Service is available at the marina with a repair facility and gas pumps. The marina store stocks snacks, personal care items, boat accessories, fishing bait, towables, and floats. The Harbor Grill offers a variety of breakfast items, biscuits, pizzas, appetizers, salads, and basket entrees.

Painter Creek Marina in Bristol, TN

Located at: 766 Painter Creek Road
Close to: 10 miles from King University
Phone: (423) 212-7247
Website: www.paintercreekmarina.com

Painter Creek Marina has 340 boat slips available for rent. 93-octane boat fuel is available with pull-up service along with a convenience store that carries a variety of snacks, drinks, beer, bait, and boat accessories. The Painter Creek Grille restaurant at the marina offers wings, sandwiches, salads, breakfast, and more. Local bands play live at the Grille every Friday and Saturday night during the season.

Sportsmans Marina in Abingdon, VA

Located at: 23511 Sportsman Drive
Close to: 8 miles from Downtown Abingdon
Phone: (276) 623-7644
Website: www.thesportsmansmarina.com

Sportsmans Marina caters to the fishing and outdoor enthusiasts on the Virginia side of the lake. They have slip rentals ranging from uncovered spots to slips big enough to house a 90’ house boat. The Broken Ski Grill restaurant on site features sandwiches, salads, wings, and appetizers. Sportsmans sells new and used watercraft including pontoon and fishing boats. SoHo Xcursions at the marina offers water activities, an aquapark, and rentals (see the rental section below).

Sportsmans is the only marina on the Virginia side of South Holston Lake. There are numerous public ramps available to launch your boat in Abingdon, including Avens and Whitaker Hollow.

Contributor: Carefree Boat Club of Tennessee