10 Best Kid-Friendly Family Beaches in Tennessee
Since a beach is an area where a body of water meets sand or more significant rock pieces, Tennessee, a landlocked state, has several stunning lakes where fine sand meets with water.
Even the lakes in Tennessee provide typical water activities such as swimming, boating, kayaking, fishing, and water skiing.
Moreover, you can go hiking, bicycling, and camping because most lakes are in state parks.
You do not need to look further if your family is in Tennessee and needs vitamin sea immediately.
Just for you, we have compiled a list of the best family beaches in Tennessee.
- Cordell Hull Lake — Carthage
The US Army Corps of Engineers built and maintains Cordell Hull Lake, which provides a variety of family-friendly recreational activities.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Millions of tourists visit Cordell Hull Lake annually for its scenery and outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, boating, picnics, camping, hiking, and horseback riding.
Also, keep an eye out for wildlife roaming the parks.
The two campsites by the lake are highly popular and equipped with the necessary amenities for families.
There are more than 150 camping spots available.
On the other hand, there are play areas and sporting courts in the parks along the lake.
The most incredible family hotels in Tennessee are half an hour away from this lake because it is close to the state metropolitan area.
Expert Tip
The family-friendly day-use area contains a playground, grills, and a volleyball court nearby the Cordell Hull Dam site.
You might wish to check out the dam site because you can see animals here.
To ensure that each beach is the safest in the city, the US Army Corps of Engineers takes care of its tourists.
To prevent mishaps, they have a life jacket loaner program in place, so be sure to stop by their offices and get a life jacket before you go.
- Big Ridge Lake — Maynardville
From the topography of the area, Big Ridge gets its name.
Big Ridge State Park, which covers 3,687 acres, is characterized by three ridge systems and offers stunning views.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Big Ridge Lake opens its sandy swimming beach each summer and welcomes families to play sand volleyball there if they seek a local beach to visit during the warm months.
Softball, basketball, tennis, and horseshoe pit are some other fun activities.
The park offers 15 miles of hiking trails, 50 campgrounds, 20 cottages, 18 screened-in bunkhouses, and 20 cabins.
Complimentary tables and grills are also available in open picnic areas.
For the whole family, this is truly a budget holiday!
Expert Tip
Easter Egg Hunts in the spring and a Bluegrass music festival in August offer entertaining and exciting activities.
There are night treks, ghost tale events, and a medieval tournament in October for a unique Halloween experience.
- Cheatham Lake — Ashland
Cheatham Lake has 320 miles of coastline. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAEC) built this coastline in 1950.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Cheatham Lake is one of Tennessee’s best beaches for toddlers, with approximately a hundred picnic areas, 14 playgrounds, 18 boat ramps, and two marinas.
Right here in Cheatham Lake, you will discover many entertaining activities for families in Tennessee.
Water skiing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and kayaking are popular activities at this family-friendly beach location.
There are specific spots at Cheatham Lake for families wanting to camp and hunt.
Horseback riders, bird watchers, and lovers of wildflowers are just a few of the nature lovers that enjoy the trails surrounding the lake.
Expert Tip
Go kayaking around the lake to find hidden sandy spots and little coves!
- Cherokee Lake — Moorseburg
Cherokee Lake, named after the tribe of Native Americans who previously lived there, is today well-known for its bass fishing and the surrounding hills and agriculture.
Why We Recommend This Beach
One of the most extensive beaches in Tennessee is Cherokee Lake, which is popular among campers, youngsters, paddlers, and fishermen.
Families can enjoy various activities for all ages during their visit thanks to the several marinas, parks, picnic spots, campsites, and resorts surrounding its shores.
For instance, Cherokee Park hosts concerts, parties, and fireworks shows. Teenagers may want to capture these events.
Expert Tip
Panther Creek State Park is the ideal park to go hiking.
Also, this park has basketball courts, a swimming pool, horseback riding routes, and a playground.
Visit Cherokee Park to play football, frisbee, and disc golf.
For a 9-mile sailing cruise, head to Cardinal Cove Resort.
- Chickamauga Lake — Chattanooga
This Tennessee reservoir has given its name in honor of the Chickamauga tribe of Cherokee people. Who once called this area their home, a well-known family vacation destination.
Why We Recommend This Beach
With all the favorite beach activities at Chickamauga Lake, your family will love exploring nature.
The region has 1,300 kilometers of coastline, eight parks, a museum, and two wildlife centers.
Camping and nature walks are available around the lake.
On the other side, the most popular water activities are swimming, water skiing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, fishing, and boating.
The surrounding region of the lake offers thrilling tours, rentals, playgrounds, and parks that feature animal encounters.
Expert Tip
Head to the neighboring Museum Center at 5ive Points, explore wildlife at Prentice Cooper State Forest, or visit Harrison Bay State Park to add more than just water sports to your beach trip.
- Center Hill Lake — Rock Island
The Caney Fork River, the Collins River, and the Great Falls Dam meet in Rock Island State Park.
It continues downstream to the stunning Center Hill Lake.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The 400 miles of beachfront at Center Hill Lake, two beautiful waterfalls, and three historic buildings are all available at Rock Island State Park.
Beautiful vistas, large pools, and limestone pathways are in the gorge at Caney Fork River alone.
Great Falls Dam, constructed between 1915 and 1916, is situated along Caney Fork.
Twin Falls is the waterfall that cascades down from Caney Fork due to Great Falls Dam, whereas Great Falls is a cascading waterfall that flows into the Caney Fork River beneath the 100-year-old cotton textile factory.
In addition, there is a spring castle from the 1890s right close to the cotton mill.
A visit to this park will be among the best family beach holidays in Tennessee because of the family-friendly activities available there.
The Caney Fork River is excellent for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and hiking.
Center Hill Lake is also a family favorite for activities like swimming and fishing.
The region has ten cottages and two campgrounds with 60 campsites.
Expert Tip
Near the rocky shore next to the Great Falls, you will find several swimming holes you can enjoy on your own!
- J. Percy Priest Lake — Nashville
Are you looking for Tennessee family weekend getaways?
- Percy Priest Lake is a short drive from the downtown area if you are in the Nashville area.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Swimming, sailing, fishing, boating, wakeboarding, jet skiing, water skiing, hiking, riding a horse, camping, wildlife viewing, and picnics are all perfect activities, and the staff of the Corps of Engineers also manages and operates J. Percy Priest Lake.
Along the 42-mile-long lake are three campsites, 11 picnic spots, 12 boat ramps, and six marinas.
The lakeside beach in the Bryant Cove area of Long Hunter State Park has a rustic playground, and visitors can also participate in beach volleyball there.
Expert Tip
Nashville Shores is just across the lake if families seek a secluded beach.
Enjoy the cottages, lake rentals, adventure parks, and waterpark there!
This nearby private beach is among the top family-friendly beaches in Tennessee because of all the unique, fun activities.
- Grundy Lakes — Monteagle
The Grundy Lake area has some of the top hiking routes on this list and is a fascinating historical site.
Why We Recommend This Beach
You can rest in the sun or spread a picnic blanket by the water in the Grundy Lakes area.
The remains of 19th-century coke furnaces next to the lake were also a favorite with families who had visited.
The state park that surrounds it is the second largest on this list.
South Cumberland State Park has 30,845 acres, spread over four Tennessee counties. Along its pathways, it also has the most beautiful scenery.
Your beach holiday in Grundy Lakes reaches the next level through rock formations, streams, waterfalls, woodlands, panoramic views, a cliff, a plateau, a cave, and deep gulfs.
Expert Tip
You should be ready for possible bear encounters if you want to camp in the park.
When storing food, take the essential safety precautions and bring bear repellents.
- Dale Hollow Lake — Celina
The US Army Corps of Engineers also completed the Dale Hollow Reservoir, located on the border between Kentucky and Tennessee.
Why We Recommend This Beach
At Dale Hollow Lake, swimming, fishing, boating, and water sports are just as popular as nature hikes.
You may enjoy the reservoir’s beautiful and peaceful beach on a houseboat, cabin, cottage, or campground.
Children can also enjoy the neighborhood First Christian Church playground or the occasional mini golf courses at the Methodist Church. There is a playground in Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historical Park as well.
There are also several museums to visit, and you may watch performances at the nearby theatres.
Expert Tip
After swimming, if you have time, you may visit the nearby Mennonite community at Muddy Pond or the Victorian town of Rugby.
- Kentucky Lake — Buchanan
The Kentucky Lake is so large that its view resembles a beachfront.
Because of the construction of the Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River, this lake had built in the 1930s.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Kentucky Lake, with 160,300 acres, is the biggest artificial lake on this list (and in the United States).
This vast location is frequently visited by tourists, fishermen, group camping, and other types of visitors, making it Tennessee’s best family-friendly beach.
With its adjacent water parks, wildlife preserve, and 2,064 miles of shoreline, the lake’s beauty and fun activities resemble an area of the coast suitable for kids.
A journey to this beach would be a day well spent due to the variety of attractions, nature walks, camping, events, and historical sites.
Many families believe this beach is considered one of Tennessee’s best!
Expert Tip
Parallel to Kentucky Lake is another lake in the area named Lake Barkley.
The area between the two is a well-known travel destination.
This region is called Land between the Lakes. It is home to five major attractions: the Elk & Bison Prairie, a living history farm, the Woodlands Nature Station, the Golden Pond Planetarium & Observatory, and the Turkey Bay OHV Area.
