In Nashville, you can’t find any ocean beaches, rather many lakeside beach areas are great option among the locals where they can relish their family outings while being engaged with dozens of fun activities. So, read on to discover the best beaches in and around Nashville for your next day trip without getting too far from the city.
1. Old Hickory Lake
Located close to Nashville, Old Hickory Lake has multiple beach areas and other recreational spots where opportunities are grabbed by thousands of visitors each year. The numerous beach activities range from fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking and many other additional exciting things.
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Old Hickory Beach
When taking about beaches in Nashville, the name of Old Hickory Beach comes first to any local’s mind. Situated on the shores of Old Hickory Lake, this popular beach offers ample of sandy beachy areas to get indulged with all types of beach activities.
There’s a dedicated swimming area to cool off the self! Also, the playground and the large grassy area are perfect to play, lounge, and feel the soft breezes of this natural oasis. For enjoying your favorite packed food, picnic tables are also installed here.
Popular with fish lovers, the lake has many stocked fishes in which they can enjoy free-time. Even, a boat ramp is also there for a day out on the lake.
Also Read: Popular Lakes To Visit When You’re in Nashville, TN.
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Shutes Branch Recreation Area
Located just outside of Nashville, Shutes Branch Recreation Area is also located on the Old Hickory Lake. This popular destination offers quitter spots where visitors can indulge in swimming, boating, fishing and sailing to enjoy the fleeting summer days!
For some exciting activities, biking trails are good to go things! Other facilities include the reservable group picnic shelter with the capacity of 50 guests. Enjoying this facility with your crew is a must-to-do thing, especially when you’re looking to make this day trip a lifetime sweet memory!
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Hamilton Creek Recreation Area
This area of Tennessee is popular for many reasons. First, Hamilton Creek Recreation Area is a perfect spot to encounter countless known and unknown bird species. If this fun activity is your vibe, heading there in winter would be the best option. Frequently encountered bird species include loons, waterfowl and gulls.
For summer months activities, the recreation area does also offer plenty of opportunities. Swimming, boating, paddle boarding, and other water activities—all are enjoyed by families with kids.
Note, Hamilton Creek’s shoreline is not that typical type of beach area, rather it’s a rocky shoreline. So, enjoying beachy activities in some different beach type places is itself a great excitement! Right?
There are many lake viewing points that are one of the main attractions to Hamilton Creek Recreation Area. For kids’ sake, there’s a playground as well. And the Hamilton Creek Mountain Bike Trails, consisting of 7 total trails, would be the perfect pick for grown up adventure lovers!
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Cedar Creek Campground
Also located on Old Hickory Lake, Cedar Creek Campground public beaches are favorite among many Nashville people, especially in summer months. But, to be honest, only few water activities are enjoyed in hot months only, but huge fishing opportunities make this place a year-round popular outing destination.
Want to know the best thing about this campground? Visitors can literally spend many hours in the many water sports available here. Sunbathing, swimming and boating in all beaches are common things to explore.
The nearby marina rents all types of sporting equipment, along with jet ski and boat rentals. So, you can’t miss this family-friendly place when you’re in Nashville to enjoy this delightful summer when exploring the lake.
To spend the night in the serenity of natural wonders, the campsites could be a perfect pick.
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2. Center Hill Lake
Nestling on the Cumberland River basin, Center Hill Lake is just one hour drive from Nashville. After the scenic road drive, you reach to the expensive recreation areas and multiple parks including many beaches that are popular outing destinations, ideal for fishing, boating, swimming and birding.
Among all the 24 different recreational areas, turn your head to Rock Hill State Park that is home to one of the most popular beaches in the area. Visitors can explore a plethora of entertainment options.
3. Dale Hollow Lake
Dale Hollow Lake is the place that offers year-round entertainment options in Clay County, TN. And spending a summer day in Dale Hollow Lake’s any of the beach areas from the over 620 miles of shoreline is a great way to dive into the world of incredible fun with your family and friends.
Located 111 miles from downtown Nashville, a delightful road trip will take you to the lake. Boating, hunting, playing, fishing—all these exciting activities will surely make this family outing a memorable experience!
For your longer stay, pick your preference from houseboat, cabin, cottage or campsite. Houseboat rentals range in size and amenities.
4. Little Chill Beach
This beach pavilion in Nashville, Tennessee, is the saviour to the locals. The convenient location and year-round party type vibes are making Little Chill Beach a slice of paradise right in the middle of the city!
This place is most popular among group of friends and families, as well, where they can enjoy nice shaded areas with eye-catching views. Tables are available to relish your favorite packed food.
The most interesting things is, the whole beach can be rented if someone wants to host private parties.
5. J. Percy Priest Lake
Percy Priest Lake is another a perfect beach outing destination located in southeastern Nashville, just outside the city, offering some of the beautiful Nashville beaches. And just like Old Hickory Lake’s multiple beaches, this area’s public beaches with their large space and variety of outdoor recreational pursuits, impress every beachgoer!
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Percy Priest Dam Recreation Area
Located right next to the dam, Percy Priest Dam Recreation Area boasts another oversubscribed beach that has the potential to make unforgettable memories to all ages! You’ll get the beach on the northern shore of the Percy Priest Lake.
First, go to the visitor’s center, collect all the necessary information about this recreation area to explore other stunning offerings of this entertainment hub. From beach to water activities include sunbathing, relaxing, beach combing, water skiing, paddling and boating. Swimming is not that much popular here.
Also Read: Best Places To Take Your Kids in Nashville For Ultimate Family Fun.
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Anderson Road Recreation Area
Anderson Road Recreation Area, also located on the bank of J. Percy Priest Lake, is not only popular for its sandy swimming beach area, but also for its convenient location and lot of facilities and amenities.
With well-kept picnic tables, dump station, and restrooms, visitors can also explore a walking trail and boat ramps facilities. All these useful things are making Anderson Road Recreation Area a perfect family friendly getaway destination including the older ones.
Some laid-back activities that will help you to connect with your loved ones include enjoying a nice picnic in the picnic tables, or complementing the entire terrain while having a boat ride with your crew on the lake.
Swimming is some of the most relaxing activities that you must do from this beach.
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Cook Day Use Area
First, Cook Day Use Area is among the few places where dogs are allowed. So, if you are planning this family outing with your pet, go ahead! This recreation area is a year-round favorite place among the locals.
The attraction features a nature trail that is the area’s premier outdoor attraction for nature enthusiasts. So, you must visit the place with your near ones when you’re around the area. After reaching there, you won’t be broken-heart!
Moreover, the sandy beach area and calm water of the lake are popular with sunbathing, swimming, picnicking, and some other relaxing beach activities.
You Might Also Like: 10 Best Waterfalls Hikes Near Nashville, TN You Must Explore.
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Bryant Grove at Long Hunter State Park
Located on the eastern shore of Percy Priest Lake, Bryant Grove at Long Hunter State Park offers swimming areas where enthusiasts can indulge in many water-crafted activities to beat the summer heat!
Complete with a nearby park and a playground, the beach area of Bryant Grove has been kids’ favorite for a long time. Though grown-ups equally love to spend their summer days, specially, on weekends in the beach area of Long Hunter State Park.
Wildlife watching opportunity is another reason behind the park’s popularity. To get close proximity of the wildlife, complete the 4-mile loop trail.
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6. Lock 3 Beach
Located in the city of Hendersonville in Sumner County, Tennessee, Lock 3 Recreation Area, popularly Lock 3 Beach, is just 18.4 miles from downtown Nashville. The sandy beach area, nice picnic places, and huge fishing opportunities can be enjoyed when you visit this place.
If you’re planning to visit the beach or the nearby area in the afternoon, then must catch the sunset views when you can watch the Old Hickory Dam in a captivating way.
The small beach with many rock formations, is also having a boat dock. Swimming is popular in Lock 3 Beach, but there is no lifeguard. So, be careful when swimming on this beach. Also, Lock 3 Beach is infamous for lack of useful amenities. No restrooms or even food stores are available nearby.
For these reasons, Lock 3 Recreation Area is not a family-friendly beach, but for its good swimming beach area, the place is visited for a shorter duration and by few people only.
FAQs
1. Does Nashville, Tennessee have beaches?
Nashville doesn’t have typical oceanfront beaches, but there are some lakeside beaches here. The most popular beach areas are Old Hickory Beach, Hamilton Creek Recreation Area, Percy Priest Dam Recreation Area, Cook Day Use Area and Cedar Creek Campground.
2. What is the closest ocean beach to Nashville?
Gulf Shores in Alabama, Destin in Florida, Tybee Island in Georgia, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina are some of the close beaches to Nashville that require few hours drive from the city of Nashville. For a weekend getaway or for a mini vacation destination, many Nashville people go to these most popular US beaches.
3. Can you swim in Old Hickory Lake, Nashville?
The Old Hickory Lake Swimming Area is quite popular for its great swim beaches, some other facilities of this fun outdoor destination include launching ramps, restrooms, and picnic tables.
