While Nashville might be a landlocked state, we do have access to a couple of lake beaches, even if they’re not exactly the same as visiting the ocean. Here’s your guide to exploring two of Nashville’s best: Anderson Road Day Use and Old Hickory Beach. Before you go, pack a picnic or food to grill, grab some sunscreen, and if you have kids, take beach toys and buckets so they can play in the sand.
Parking at this J. Percy Priest Lake beach in Southeast Nashville costs $5 per vehicle, and there’s a swim area, covered picnic tables, bathrooms, grills, a playground, and lots of shade. There’s a section cordoned off, marking where waters get deep, perfect for kids. Boating and fishing are welcome. Pet lovers will need to leave their dogs at home for this beach trip, as dogs are not allowed. It can get busy on summer weekends, so you might want to go early, or visit during the week.
Old Hickory Beach is on Old Hickory Lake, a reservoir off the Cumberland River in Northeast Nashville. Like Anderson Road Day Use, parking is $5, the swim area is cordoned off indicating deep water for kids, and there are covered picnic tables, grills, bathrooms, and a playground. Fishing and boating are also welcome. You might think you’re going the wrong way because it’s down a meandering road with factories, but it’s actually a surprisingly peaceful place once you get past that! If you’re lucky, you’ll spot turtles and herons.
These beaches are pretty similar. If you want to bring a pet, Old Hickory Beach is the place, though dogs aren’t allowed in the sand. Old Hickory Beach also tends to be a bit less busy, though I like the playground at Anderson Day Use better, and there’s more shade.
Either way, these beaches are a great place to hang out this summer!
