Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach
Fairbanks, Alaska
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10/hour
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach is an official Fairbanks North Star Borough park a few minutes from downtown Fairbanks, Alaska, built around two man-made lakes. The 750-acre park is explicitly designated by the borough for swimming, and its two sandy beaches make it a genuine in-town swimming hole, an easy lake to swim in alongside boating, fishing, and hiking.
The recreation area sits on flat, wooded Interior Alaska terrain near the Tanana River, with open grassy/sandy shoreline, picnic areas, and a network of short hiking trails (Sandpiper, Flicker, Chickadee, Eagle) around the two lakes.
Swimming at Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach
Swimming takes place at designated sandy beaches on the park's lakes rather than in the Tanana River itself. Cushman Lake is reserved for non-motorized use, making it the calmer, more swim-friendly water body, while Tanana Lake allows motorized boats and connects directly to the Tanana River. The setup suits families and casual summer swimmers rather than people seeking a wild/backcountry swimming experience.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 4400 S Cushman St Ext, Fairbanks, AK 99701, a few minutes' drive from downtown Fairbanks.
Parking: On-site parking areas are marked on the official park map; no separate parking fee is mentioned in official materials.
The hike in
Trailhead: Trailhead parking areas (marked with a trailhead icon on the official map) sit right next to the swim beach's main parking lot and near the Chickadee Trail junction on the east side of Cushman Lake; the swim beach itself is a direct walk from parking, no hike needed.
The park has four short, optional loop/spur trails circling the lakes, Sandpiper (0.12 mi), Chickadee (0.19 mi), Flicker (0.56 mi), and Eagle (0.66 mi) per official trailhead signage, but none of them lead to or are required to reach the swim beach, which is accessible straight from adjacent parking.
No hike is required to swim; the four named trails are separate, optional walking/hiking loops elsewhere in the 750-acre park.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated sandy swim beach on Cushman Lake (the non-motorized lake) with adjacent playground and picnic area, which favors families, but no lifeguard presence is documented in official materials, and the swim beach sits within the same 750-acre multi-use park as a motorized boat lake, boat launches, and an ATV area, so adults should supervise closely.
Parking
Free
Several designated paved/gravel lots shown on the official park map: a main lot at the swim beach/picnic area, a separate lot at the paddle-boat (non-motorized) launch, and trailhead parking lots near the Chickadee Trail junction. No parking fee is charged; only the picnic pavilion carries a fee ($10/hour). Signage instructs visitors to park only in designated lots and stay on established roadways.
Restrooms
Yes
Restroom facilities are marked directly at the swim beach/picnic area next to the main parking lot on the official FNSB park map.
Hours
Open 8:00am-10:00pm daily during summer season; park gate is locked at 10:00pm.
On the water
Restrictions: No motorized boats allowed on Cushman Lake, the non-motorized lake where the designated swim beach and paddle-boat launch are located. Tanana Lake (the separate, motorized lake) is open to motorized boats and connects directly to the Tanana River. Park signage recommends wearing a personal flotation device while boating, and warns of sharp objects/debris along the shore and underwater at one shoreline area of Tanana Lake.
The official FNSB park brochure states there is 'a boat rental vendor located at the Non-Motorized Boat Launch Area' on Cushman Lake, confirming on-site non-motorized boat rentals exist in-season, but the vendor's name, pricing, and hours could not be independently verified through additional web search.
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach: FAQ
Does Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach charge a fee?
No general entry or parking fee found. Pavilion rental is $10/hour, bookable through FNSB Parks & Recreation (fnsb.gov/parks or 907-459-1070).
Is Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach kid friendly?
Designated sandy swim beach on Cushman Lake (the non-motorized lake) with adjacent playground and picnic area, which favors families, but no lifeguard presence is documented in official materials, and the swim beach sits within the same 750-acre multi-use park as a motorized boat lake, boat launches, and an ATV area, so adults should supervise closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach?
Several designated paved/gravel lots shown on the official park map: a main lot at the swim beach/picnic area, a separate lot at the paddle-boat (non-motorized) launch, and trailhead parking lots near the Chickadee Trail junction. No parking fee is charged; only the picnic pavilion carries a fee ($10/hour). Signage instructs visitors to park only in designated lots and stay on established roadways.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach?
The official FNSB park brochure states there is 'a boat rental vendor located at the Non-Motorized Boat Launch Area' on Cushman Lake, confirming on-site non-motorized boat rentals exist in-season, but the vendor's name, pricing, and hours could not be independently verified through additional web search.
When is the best time to visit Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach?
Summer season (park's stated hours of 8:00am-10:00pm apply 'during summer season' per official brochure).
What are the rules at Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Swim Beach?
Per the official FNSB brochure: park open 8:00am-10:00pm daily during summer season (gate locked at 10:00pm); no dogs allowed on beach sand; no camping; no fireworks; no motorized boats on Cushman Lake (Tanana Lake allows motorized boats and access to the Tanana River); wear a personal flotation device while boating; no ATVs in the non-motorized area; discharge of firearms/bows prohibited except at the designated rifle range.
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