The nearest saltwater beach to Nashville is 6.5 hours away – Pensacola Beach, Alabama. If you’re looking for a short break rather than a vacation, there is no reason to travel that far.
The city has plenty of freshwater options, most of which are less than 30 minutes away. J. Percy Priest Lake, Old Hickory Lake, and others provide fantastic opportunities to cool off, paddle, fish, and boat.
If you like soft warm sand, sunbathing and making family memories, there is definitely an option here for you.
Check out what Nashville has to offer!
Beaches near Nashville:
- Anderson Beach
- Old Hickory Beach
- Cook Day Use Area
- Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
- Elm Hill Recreation Area
- Montgomery Bell State Park
- Smith Springs Park
- Lock 3 Recreation Area
- Cedar Creek Access Area
- Defeated Creek Campground
- Rock Island State Park
- Bryant Grove Recreation Area
- Laguardo Recreation Area
- Seven Points Campground
- Cheatham Dam Right Bank
1. Anderson Beach
- Distance from Nashville: 17 miles (30 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Camping, Playgrounds, Picnics, Grills
Anderson Beach is a popular spot in Nashville, offering access to J Percy Priest Reservoir and all the fantastic activities available on the water.
The beach is serene and surrounded by a mix of grassy areas and woods, home to various wildlife that often make their way down to the beach.
Besides swimming, you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating. Plus, there is plenty of shoreline for casting a rod to test your luck.
It’s close enough to the city to stay for half a day. Yet, there are campgrounds nearby, so you can easily spend a weekend here and enjoy all that the beach has to offer.
2. Old Hickory Beach
- Distance from Nashville: 16 miles (25 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Picnics, Grills
Old Hickory Beach is nestled on the shores of Old Hickory Lake, offering beachgoers a wide sandy area and nearby shade trees.
The water depths near the beach are perfect for wading and sitting in as you breathe fresh air and absorb your surroundings.
Kids love building sandcastles on the beach, and being a pet-friendly place, furbabies love to run and splash in the water.
Shade trees stand at the beach’s edge, perfect for picnicking. Also, thanks to the boat ramp, you can easily get on the water and explore the surroundings.
3. Cook Day-Use Area
- Distance from Nashville: 17 miles (25 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Playgrounds, Picnics, Grills
The Cook Day-Use Area is the perfect place to escape for a fun day, exploring the beach and surrounding natural areas.
Swimmers share the reservoir with boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but that is not a problem as the swimming area is far enough away the two don’t interfere with one another.
The Cook Day-Use Area is one of the nearest and the cleanest beaches, too. Plus, you can park almost by the water.
On land, there are several picnic areas and a jungle gym – perfect for family summer trips.
4. Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
- Distance from Nashville: 14 miles (20 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Camping, Playgrounds, Picnics, Water Park
The Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort offers access to the beach, where guests can enjoy the sparkling views and soft sand.
The beach at this resort is extensive, offering plenty of space to spread out, go swimming, and explore.
Next to the beach is one of the city’s landmarks – Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort. It’s a buzzing spot in summer, offering various attractions, including a kids’ splash deck, pools, and thrilling water slides.
For those looking for a fun adventure with a mix of beach and water park experiences, this is the place to go.
5. Elm Hill Recreation Area
- Distance from Nashville: 13 miles (20 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Camping, Picnics, Grills
The lake at Elm Hill Recreation Area has a marina, rocky shorelines, and a quiet beach.
This recreation area offers everything you need to spend an entire day exploring. The beach is the perfect place for playing, swimming, and just lazying in the sun.
Some campsites at nearby Elm Hill RV Resort back up to the water and are within walking distance of the beach at the park.
Elm Hill Recreation Area is home to various birds that can be seen in the water going about their day.
From the beach, the views are breathtaking and perfect for sitting waist-deep in the water and enjoying a well-deserved break.
6. Montgomery Bell State Park
- Distance from Nashville: 35 miles (40 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Camping, Picnics, Grills, Hiking, Biking
Montgomery Bell State Park is a popular and highly-rated park just 40 minutes from Nashville. It offers biking and hiking trails, kayak and canoe rentals, and a fantastic campground with RV and primitive sites.
The swimming area at Acorn Lake offers a mix of sandy and grassy areas, perfect for spending all day at the beach.
The nearby forest is home to various forms of wildlife, which you can hear when you close your eyes and relax by the water.
You might even get lucky enough to see some nature come down to the lake for a drink of water or to cool off in the water.
7. Smith Springs Park
- Distance from Nashville: 16 miles (30 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Picnics, Grills
Smith Springs Park is a must-visit for beachgoers looking for everything they need for a day of fun in the sun in a single location.
The beach at this park is set in a forest, with lush vegetation surrounding the entire beachfront. The forest creates a serene feeling when swimming in the lake or sunbathing on the beach.
Some shorelines around the lake are rocky, making these locations more ideal for fishing and relaxing than swimming.
Still, it’s a highly-rated spot known for clean grounds and perfect for the hottest days.
8. Lock 3 Recreation Area
- Distance from Nashville: 21 miles (30 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Picnics, Grills
The Lock 3 Recreation Area offers a large beach, perfect for spending the day swimming, sunbathing, or enjoying water sports.
The boat ramp nearby is excellent for launching jet skis, jon boats, and other craft. Also, it’s a popular place to paddleboard and kayak, with a beautiful shoreline to explore and a long beach to show off your skills.
Sitting at the beach also provides opportunities to do some birdwatching, as migrating birds make their way down to the water and play around along the beach line.
Although it’s well-rated and free to use, this area is usually free from crowds, making it one of the quieter options.
9. Cedar Creek Access Area
- Distance from Nashville: 24 miles (35 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Camping, Playgrounds, Picnics, Grills, Volleyball
The wide beach at Cedar Creek Access Area provides plenty of space for beachgoers to spread out and not be disturbed by others.
The calm waters and sandy beach make this spot popular for travelers, Nashville residents looking for a day trip, and anyone else wanting a beach experience on Old Hickory Reservoir.
The vast lake has a designated swimming area more prominent than most in the state, providing plenty of space for swimmers to splash around while leaving plenty of lake area for boaters and water sports enthusiasts to jet around the lake safely.
Don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch with you because there are covered picnic pavilions within walking distance of the beach, offering the perfect place to take a break and enjoy some lunch.
10. Defeated Creek Campground
- Distance from Nashville: 62 miles (1h 15min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Hiking, Camping, Playgrounds, Picnics, Grills
Defeated Creek Campground is probably the most versatile option on the list. It provides access to Cordell Hull Lake, the marina, and a sprawling network of trails for hiking and biking.
The beach at this park has a designated swimming area near mature trees, providing refreshing and enjoyable shade during the hot summer months.
And when all the hiking and swimming are done, the 155-space campground with hookups and primitive sites will provide a welcoming break.
In a nutshell, Defeated Creek Area is a versatile destination with plenty of fun activities, it’s definitely worth the drive.
11. Rock Island State Park
- Distance from Nashville: 85 miles (1h 40min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Hiking, Boating, Camping, Cabins, Playgrounds, Picnics, Grills
Rock Island State Park may be a bit of a drive from Nashville, but it is worth it. It’s one of the most stunning and highly-rated parks in the state.
Its refreshing waterfalls make you feel like you are visiting an exotic tropical destination in Tennessee. Make sure to bring a camera to capture all this beauty.
Several swimming holes and the designated beach area provide plenty of opportunities to cool off and unwind.
Apart from swimming, the park offers fishing, paddling, and boating and has miles of fantastic trails for hiking. There is so much to do and explore that one day isn’t enough.
Luckily, Rock Island State Park has cabins, RV spaces, and primitive campgrounds, making it an ideal spot for multi-day stays.
12. Bryant Grove Recreation Area
- Distance from Nashville: 26 miles (35 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Hiking, Playgrounds, Picnics
This beach is part of Long Hunter State Park, giving visitors access to many fun and exciting things to do in between dips in the lake.
Bryant Grove Recreation Area is a fun-filled place with a boat ramp, picnic tables, steep bluffs for exploring, and a designated swimming area – the only one in the state park.
The beach here is rocky, so if you are looking for soft sand and castle building, this isn’t the spot, and bringing water shoes is an excellent idea.
Besides swimming, there is paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing to do. And thanks to the boat ramp, you can launch a jet ski or a boat.
If you don’t mind the rocky bottom, it’s an excellent option, and the park makes it even more fun.
13. Laguardo Recreation Area
- Distance from Nashville: 32 miles (35 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Playgrounds, Picnics, Grills, Volleyball
Imagine a day at the beach and being within walking distance of picnic pavilions, playgrounds, wide open green spaces, and lush forests. This is what you get when spending the day at the beach in the Laguardo Recreation Area.
This day-use area is easily accessible from Route 109 and, apart from swimming and picnics, offers excellent fishing, boating, and kayaking.
It’s known for its clean facilities and family-friendly atmosphere. It’s another excellent spot on Old Hickory Lake.
14. Seven Points Campground
- Distance from Nashville: 16 miles (25 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Boating, Camping, Playgrounds, Picnics, Grills
The beach at Seven Points Campground offers a refreshing place to spend the day and be one with surrounding nature.
The beach may be short, but there are plenty of surrounding grassy areas where you can lay down a towel and enjoy time soaking up the sun.
Quiet parts branch off the beach, offering shaded areas for picnics and opportunities to go hiking around the lake.
Most guests staying at the campground are within walking distance of the beach, making it the perfect place to stay when wanting to swim, enjoy water sports, and still have close access to your RV or campsite.
15. Cheatham Dam Right Bank
- Distance from Nashville: 34 miles (45 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Playgrounds, Picnics
Cheatham Dam Right Bank is a fun beach with wide open spaces scattered throughout the park, perfect for picnicking, playing, tossing a Frisbee, and much more.
It’s a popular and highly rated spot, and the river-like location makes it different from other options on the list.
Despite the rocky shores, the swimming area is actually sandy and quite shallow in places – perfect for novice swimmers.
The boat ramp and easy shore access provide plenty of recreational options like boating, paddling, and swimming. And a campground nearby makes it easy to make a weekend out of it.
Lakes in Tennessee:
State Parks in Tennessee:
