Swimming

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Tennessee State Parks offer various opportunities for visitors to swim during the summer months. Whether cooling off in the rippling waters of a mountain stream, enjoying the shade of a poolside umbrella or strolling on a sandy beach by one of our many scenic lakes, beating the summer heat has never been easier.

Swimming Pools

Our public swimming pools are a perfect retreat from the summer heat. Most are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and have lifeguards on duty during swimming hours. Amenities often include sunbathing spaces with lounge chairs, bathhouses and snack areas, diving boards, and children's wading pools. Most park public pools are closed on Monday and Tuesday, except for holiday weeks. Our pools can also be rented for birthday parties or other summer gatherings.

For more information on hours and days of operation, pool passes, pool party rates, or other specific details, please call your park of interest. *Please note: Pools at Edgar Evins, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace, and Pickwick Landing are for Lodge and/or cabin guest use only. 

Pool Closures

Eleven swimming pools will not reopen as of Summer, 2022. Those pools include Roan Mountain, Warriors' Path, Panther Creek, Cove Lake, Booker T. Washington, Harrison Bay, David Crockett, David Crockett Birthplace, Norris Dam, Paris Landing, and Tims Ford. The swimming pools at those parks were closed in 2020 and 2021 due to complications related to COVID-19. Reopening the pools is unfeasible due to aging facilities, declining visitation pre-COVID 19, and high expenses. Tennessee State Parks has allocated funding for each park to invest in new outdoor recreation activities at each park where a pool is not reopening.

During the public meetings, Tennessee State Parks was excited to hear the optimism and excitement from communities about the future of their parks and their ideas for pool replacement projects. We are carefully considering the public’s replacement project ideas while identifying the appropriate state approval protocols we need to follow in order to bring replacement projects to fruition. We look forward to sharing details of the projects in the near future. 

Tennessee State Parks Pool Passes

Tennessee State Parks offers statewide pool passes. Each pass includes 40 entries to any of the public Tennessee State Park pool locations below. These passes are available online and at participating Tennessee State Park pool locations. Pool passes do not work at pools reserved specifically for Lodge/cabin guests as noted below (***). If you have questions in regards to Tennessee State Parks pool passes, please email State.Parks@tn.gov.

***Please note: Pools at Edgar Evins, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace and Pickwick Landing are for Lodge and/or cabin guest use only. 

Swim Beaches

Swim beaches are popular destinations for family fun. Play in the sand, wade in the water or float in a tube. Most swim areas are open seasonally, free and offer bathhouses and scenic lake views; however, no lifeguards are on duty.

Streams and Creeks

Cool creek water, perfect for wading and splashing can be found at many of our parks.