Below, we present the best swimming spots close to Nashville. Now pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and swim shoes, and hit the water!
Montgomery Bell State Park
There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor excursions during your Chattanooga trip, whether you crave a serene day on the lake or an exhilarating ride down white-water rapids. Montgomery Bell State Park, which is about 40 minutes from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, in Dickson Country, is a tranquil getaway spot for urban residents and a natural haven for tourists. The 3,850-acre park contains three lakes that provide tourists the chance to canoe in the serene waters and soak up the sun on beautiful beaches.
Foster Falls
The South Cumberland State Park includes Foster Falls, which offers camping, rock climbing, and top-notch hiking. And, of course, there is a fantastic spot to rinse off following the excitement. Take the Climber’s Access Trail to reach the waterfalls and the swimming hole. It’s a gradual, steep drop to the waterfalls, so pay attention to your movements. Wide and inviting, the swimming hole is made all the more alluring by the falls’ mist. Because the journey back is a straight ascent that can be quite exhausting, relax in the water while you can. A number of neighboring primitive camping areas are associated with the Fiery Gizzard Trail. If you intend to spend the night, make sure to sign up with the rangers.
Rock Island
Tennessee’s Rock Island State Park is 87 miles from Nashville and 81 miles from Chattanooga. The trip takes roughly 1.5 hours from both cities. The main draw on Rock Island is the Caney Fork River and the Great Falls Dam. Rock Island offers a thrilling variety of whitewater landscapes and sensations, from waterfalls to water sports. This area attracts paddlers of all levels by combining distinctive geology with plentiful gradients. The Caney Fork at Rock Island draws hikers and observers alike, with its riverfront cliffs, cascading falls, and accessible perspectives. Despite this, it’s never too crowded, and the view is finest from the water’s surface. It’s a fantastic location for a quick day trip. The left side of the river has multiple undercut cliffs that paddlers should be cautious of and avoid, especially at the bottom left of the rapid underneath the major hole. With safety in mind, savor your time here – the bottom rapids are perfectly stacked with magnificent waves!
Narrows of the Harpeth
The Harpeth River provides access both upstream and downstream at The Narrows, where the river turns on itself. To link the two sides of the river, Montgomery Bell hand-cut a 100-yard tunnel through the rock in 1818. The result was a distinctive and beautiful waterfall that emerges from the tunnel and empties into a swimmable pool. Entering the tunnel is not advised. However, on a midsummer day, hiking and relaxing along the little falls is fantastic. Due to its location inside Harpeth River State Park, it occasionally becomes quite busy. And by the end of summer, the water becomes murky and brown. If you’re wanting to take a dip, it’s best to visit at the beginning of summer.
Cummins Falls
Picking a single swimming hole that we prefer above all others is as tough as narrowing down this list, but Cummins Falls just may take the prize. From the top of the 75-foot falls, the main trail descends to the streambed. It then climbs upstream to the foot of this stunning cascade, which is also one of the best swimming places in the nation. In the colder seasons, the route is quieter and, as always, beautiful. This low-hanging waterfall with its flawless rock walls and crystal-clear water was on private property until a few years ago. Now that it’s accessible to the public, it’s hardly surprising that throngs of people flock here. If you go on the weekend, expect it to be busy. There seem to be two ways to get to the falls, and the most popular option is the slower path, which requires climbing down from the viewpoint. It’s a 1.5-mile journey filled with steep switchbacks. Most everyone, even dogs, can manage it, but wear sturdy hiking boots and stick to the well-traveled path.
Up Next
8 Best Dog Parks In NashvilleThe Most Haunted Places Near NashvilleThe Absolute Best Camping Near NashvilleDiscover 9 State Parks Near Nashville
