You don’t have to pile your family in the car and drive for hours to spend a day at the beach! Thanks to our network of lakes and rivers in East Tennessee, you can easily put your toes in the sand and be home by dinner. Knoxville Moms put together this list of area beaches with some helpful information. Keep in mind these beaches do not have a lifeguard on duty. Swimming is at your own risk. If you’re looking for more local spots to swim, check out our Knoxville Moms guide to swimming holes. We hope you have a great day at the beach!
5+ Beaches in East Tennessee
Big Ridge State Park Beach
1015 Big Ridge Park Road
Maynardville, TN 37807
(865) 992-5523
Sandy beach and a concrete-bottomed area is provided for children. Swimming is free of charge. The beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day from 8:00am-8:00pm.
Cherokee Dam Reservation Swim Beach
2805 North Highway 92
Jefferson City, TN 37760
Swimming area with picnic tables and pavilion. The beach is open from May to October. Access to bathrooms and nearby campground store. Free.
The Cove at Concord Park Beach
11808 South Northshore Drive
Knoxville, TN 37922
Sandy beach, bathrooms. Nearby playground and picnic tables. Park is open from dawn to dusk. No charge for parking or swimming.
Douglas Headwater & Tailwater Dam Reservation Swim Beach
1680 Boat Launch Road
Sevierville, TN 37876
Sandy beach, picnic tables and nearby bathrooms. No charge for parking or swimming. The swim beach area closes at sunset each night per TVA access restrictions. The beach is open from May to October.
Indian Boundary Recreation Area
Tellico Plains, TN 37385
Sandy beach, picnic tables and nearby bathrooms. Day use facilities include a swim beach, 96-acre lake, fishing pier and a general store. The day use fees for the beach and picnic area are $3.00 per vehicle. Restrooms are also available. Indian Boundary Recreation Area is open from April to November.
Loyston Point Recreation Area at Norris Lake
703 Loyston Point Road
Andersonville, TN 37705
(865) 494-9369
Sandy beach with picnic tables, grills and a swing set for children. Restroom building on site. Kayaks, paddle boards, canoes and paddle boats are available for rent. $10 per car, per day. Open Sunday-Thursday 10:00am-6:00pm and Friday-Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm March to November.
Melton Hill Dam Reservation Swim Beach
201 Campground Road
Lenoir City, TN 37771
(865) 361-0436
Sandy beach, clean bathrooms and FREE! Drive past the dam and the campground store. The beach parking will be on your left. Open May to October.
Tellico Dam Reservation Swim Beach
Tellico Parkway
Lenoir City, TN 37772
Bathrooms, picnic tables, sand and shade. FREE! From I-75 take the Lenoir City exit (Exit 81). Take left off the exit onto Highway 321. Continue on Highway 321 and cross Fort Loudon Dam bridge. Then take the Tellico Parkway (444) exit. When you reach the stop sign, go straight through the intersection. Take a right for beach parking.
Yarberry Campground
4825 Yarberry Drive
Lenoir City, TN 37772
(865) 986-3993
Sandy beach with chairs so Mom can relax. Access to camp store, bathrooms and rentals. $10 per carload. Call ahead to confirm day use pass availability. Yarberry Campground determines if non-campers can visit depending on the demand.
Check out these other water fun options in Knoxville and East Tennessee!
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