Swim Beaches

You don’t need a boat or a lake house to enjoy a dip at one of these public swim beaches, created expressly for the enjoyment of the people of the Valley. There, you can unfold a blanket on the shore, set out a picnic and wade right in—from May to October, the water is fine. Here’s where you’ll find the beaches:

• Cherokee Dam Reservation: Located off TN 92 near Jefferson City, Tenn.
• Chickamauga Dam Reservation: Located off TN 153 S. near Chattanooga, Tenn.
• Douglas Headwater and Tailwater Dam Reservation: Located on Douglas Dam Rd. near Dandridge, Tenn.
• Melton Hill Dam Reservation: Located on TVA Melton Hill Dam Rd. off U.S. 321 near Lenoir City, Tenn.
• Tellico Dam Reservation: Located off TN 321 in Lenoir City, Tenn.
• Watts Bar Dam Reservation: Located off County Rd. 451 and Watts Bar Ln. near Spring City, Tenn.
• Pine Lake Ramp: Located on Pine Lake Rd. near Lexington, Tenn.
• Parksville Beach on Parksville Lake: Off U.S. 64/Old Copper Road near Ocoee, Tenn.
• Barton Springs Beach on Normandy Lake: On Barton Springs Rd. near Tullahoma, Tenn.
• Bear Creek Dam: Follow New Beach Rd. from U.S. 641
• Boone Dam Reservation: Located off Minga Rd. in Kingsport, Tenn.—newly renovated