A small lake town near Tullahoma
Estill Springs, TN: Homes and Town Guide
Estill Springs is a small town that comes up often when buyers want to be near Tims Ford Lake but still close to Tullahoma and Arnold Air Force Base. Here is a straightforward guide.
Where Estill Springs is
Estill Springs is a town in northern Franklin County. It sits on the north side of the Elk River at the upstream end of Tims Ford Lake. US 41A runs through the center of town, about 8 miles southeast to Tullahoma and about 6 miles to Winchester, the Franklin County seat. Many locals simply call it Estill.
Size of the town
The 2020 Census first counted 2,267 residents. The Census Bureau later revised that count to 2,709 through its Count Question Resolution program, which corrected the town's boundary records. The Tennessee State Data Center lists Estill Springs among the Tennessee towns whose 2020 counts were raised.
The springs
In the early 1800s, the town's mineral springs drew visitors seeking the reputed benefits of the water. According to a Tims Ford State Park and TVA brochure, the remaining springs are still the source of the town's water supply today.
Lake access
Estill Springs sits at the northern end of the Tims Ford Blueway, a paddling trail that runs down the lake toward Winchester. Estill Springs City Park is one of the public access points listed on the Blueway. For more on the lake, see my Tims Ford Lake guide.
Daily life in a small town
With a population of a few thousand, Estill Springs has the feel of a small lake town, and many everyday errands happen in Tullahoma or Winchester. For buyers, that usually means a quieter setting with larger towns a short drive away in either direction along US 41A.
Tims Ford State Park and Winchester
Tims Ford State Park, near Winchester, covers 3,546 acres on the lake and offers camping, cabins, a marina, hiking and biking trails and the Bear Trace golf course. Five islands that can only be reached by boat can be reserved for primitive camping. Winchester, the Franklin County seat, is the next town down US 41A, and the Tims Ford Blueway brochure describes its historic district with antique shops, galleries and dining.
Woods Reservoir
Also nearby, Woods Reservoir sits on Arnold Air Force Base land in Franklin and Coffee counties. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency lists a free public boat ramp there through Franklin County, along with fishing piers and bank fishing.
What buyers should keep in mind
- County. Estill Springs is in Franklin County, not Coffee County. Property taxes, schools and county services come from Franklin County.
- Work. Arnold Air Force Base is nearby. See my Arnold AFB relocation guide.
- Lake lots. If a home is near the water, ask whether the lot borders TVA land and whether any dock is permitted. TVA requires a Section 26a permit for docks and shoreline work.
- Utilities. Ask whether the home is on town water and sewer or a well and septic system.
- Schools. Confirm the school assignment with the Franklin County school district for the exact address.
Estill Springs, Tullahoma or Manchester?
Estill Springs offers a small town with the lake at its edge. Tullahoma offers a larger city with its own schools and utilities, and Manchester offers the county seat and Interstate 24. I can show you homes in all three and help you compare. Read my Tullahoma guide or start with the buyer guide.
Common questions
What county is Estill Springs TN in?
Estill Springs is a town in Franklin County, Tennessee.
How far is Estill Springs from Tullahoma?
About 8 miles along US 41A.
What is the population of Estill Springs TN?
The revised 2020 Census count is 2,709, after a Census Bureau correction to the original count of 2,267.
Matt Sargent is a Tennessee licensed affiliate broker with Keller Williams who helps buyers and sellers in Manchester and Coffee County. Call (615) 497 1658 or send a message.