Old Hickory Beach

Star0
1 review
Old Hickory Beach

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions
Old Hickory Beach
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Day-use facility (shelter) fees apply; specific fee amounts are not provided in source material. Cancellation of a group day use facility (shelter)...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 1 reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanshade

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Old Hickory Beach for its clean, family‑friendly swimming area, lakeside views, and relaxed atmosphere, with many people visiting for years across multiple generations. Most describe it as peaceful and affordable, with grills, picnic facilities, and good fishing, though one group-site camper reported very poor service and lack of utilities, and several visitors mention feeling uneasy at night or around sketchy individuals near the dam/boat ramp area."

Read all reviews



About Old Hickory Beach

Nestled along the sparkling waters of Old Hickory Lake, this beloved day-use area invites families to spend sun-soaked days on its sandy swimming beach, explore a winding 1.1-mile nature trail, and gather under spacious picnic shelters—including one that welcomes groups of up to 100. With convenient boat ramps, a playground for the kids, and prime fishing spots just below Old Hickory Dam, it's a lakeside haven where water sports, wildlife watching, and leisurely hikes come together in one accessible location.
The site is presented as a day-use area with picnic and beach facilities; no overnight camping facilities are described in the provided material.
Historical SignificanceThe name "Old Hickory" echoes through Tennessee history as the enduring nickname of President Andrew Jackson, whose iron will and frontier toughness earned him the moniker. The lake itself flows through land steeped in early American heritage, lying just a stone's throw from the Hermitage—Jackson's beloved plantation home where he lived, entertained, and shaped the nation's future during the early 1800s. When you visit these shores, you're walking in the footsteps of pioneers who carved out a life along the Cumberland River centuries ago.
Natural Features and SceneryThe 22,500-acre Old Hickory Lake spreads across the Cumberland River valley, creating a stunning reservoir where sandy beaches meet lush wetlands and quiet coves. Along the shoreline, a tapestry of habitats comes alive with movement—great blue herons stand sentinel in the shallows while snowy egrets wade through marsh grasses, and seasonal waves of migratory songbirds fill the trees with color and song. Early morning visitors might spot white-tailed deer emerging from the forest edge or wild turkeys foraging near the trail, while waterfowl dot the lake's surface and rabbits dart through the underbrush, making every visit a chance encounter with the region's rich wildlife.
Advertisement

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesThe Old Hickory Lake Nature Trail (1.1 miles) is located below Old Hickory Dam near the tailwater parking lot; three loops (Woodland, Willow Swamp, Wildlife) offer varying terrain. Use the large reservable shelter for group gatherings and the small beachside shelter for beach access and shade.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site
Large group picnic shelter accommodates up to 100 guests.
Groups
  • Alarge reservable group picnic shelter accommodates up to 100 guests
  • it is a group day-use facility (shelter) and subject to reservation/cancellation policies.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutFacilities include a sandy swimming beach, playground, small shelter near the beach and water, a large reservable group shelter (up to 100 guests), and boat ramps.
Cancellation PolicyIf a customer cancels a group day use facility (shelter) reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service charge.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Activities you can enjoy

Old Hickory Beach supports lake-based recreation and short nature hikes, with opportunities for swimming, sailing/boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing along Old Hickory Lake.
Hiking
The 1.1-mile Old Hickory Lake Nature Trail has three loops (Woodland Loop, Willow Swamp Loop, and the Wildlife Loop) over varying terrain; the trail is located below Old Hickory Dam near the tailwater parking lot.
Fishing
Bank and boat fishing are popular; anglers can find catfish, crappie and bass.
Swimming
A sandy swimming beach is provided and swimming and beach lounging are popular activities.
Boating
Boat ramps are available and sailing/boating on Old Hickory Lake is noted as a popular activity.
Wildlife viewing
Birders can observe waterfowl, wading birds, migratory songbirds and occasionally Blue heron or Snowy egret; other wildlife includes wild turkey, rabbits and white-tailed deer.
Beach activities
The sandy beach supports swimming and lounging; the day-use area is suitable for beach recreation.
Advertisement

Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards


Weather at Old Hickory Beach

37
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 61%
Wind: 10.6 mph
Overcast

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresSituated along the shoreline of Old Hickory Lake; includes a sandy swimming beach and boat ramps.

Campground Map

Old Hickory Beach
Driving directionsFrom Nashville, take I-65 North to exit 92, TN-45/Old Hickory Blvd toward Madison, continue until you cross over the Cumberland River then take the 2nd left onto Bridgeway Ave., travel approximately 0.2 miles and turn left onto Ensley Ave., continue approximately 0.3 miles and turn left onto Swinging Bridge Road, continue approximately 0.4 miles and turn right onto Burnett Road. The entrance to the park will be at the end of the road.
Accessible via I-65 North to exit 92 (TN-45/Old Hickory Blvd) from Nashville.
Nearby places
Nashville
nearby attractions and areas include Rockland, Sanders Ferry, Shutes Branch, Bledsoe Creek State Park, and the Hermitage (distances not provided).

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0
1 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Old Hickory Beach has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers overwhelmingly love Old Hickory Beach for its clean, family‑friendly swimming area, lakeside views, and relaxed atmosphere, with many people visiting for years across multiple generations. Most describe it as peaceful and affordable, with grills, picnic facilities, and good fishing, though one group-site camper reported very poor service and lack of utilities, and several visitors mention feeling uneasy at night or around sketchy individuals near the dam/boat ramp area.
Review Summaries
Based on 1 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests highlight the sandy, designated swim beach as clean and well‑maintained, with sectioned‑off swimming areas that feel safe for kids. Many praise the abundance of picnic tables, grills, shade...
Show more
Based on 1 reviews

Common Concerns

Several reviews note concerns about safety or comfort after dark, describing the area as “kind of scary” at night, and mentioning sketchy young people and homeless individuals camping near the dam...
Show more
Based on 1 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Multiple reviewers suggest visiting on weekdays when it’s less crowded and more relaxing. Expect to pay around $4–$5 per car (or $2 to walk in/park nearby), and know there is no lifeguard, so...
Show more
Based on 1 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Love this place. Perfect for kids. Has a Sandy beach, CLEAN , sandy beach… It has a small playland, people who work there keep it family except able at all times.” “U couldn't find a better to go...
Show more
Based on 1 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One Rec.gov reviewer for Site 1 in the GROUP SITE loop reports a very poor experience, citing very bad behavior from staff and saying there was no electricity, no water, and no service at the group...
Show more
Based on 1 reviews

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Magnifying Glass
No reviews availableLeave a review to get started

Last updated December 10, 2025
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Tennessee

Campgrounds
Old Hickory Lake
Old Hickory Beach