Anderson Road Day Use
Nashville, Tennessee · on Stones River · J. Percy Priest Recreation Area
Verified · 5 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5.00 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Anderson Road Day Use
Anderson Road Day Use is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed day-use area on J. Percy Priest Lake (an impoundment of the Stones River) just east of Nashville, Tennessee. Its swimming hole is an official, designated swim beach alongside picnic areas, playgrounds, and a boat launch; the site operates as a fee-based day-use recreation area and offers a convenient lake to swim in close to the city.
The area sits on the shoreline of J. Percy Priest Lake, a 14,200-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir formed by damming the Stones River, surrounded by woodlands and cedar glade habitat; a paved fitness trail (just over a mile) runs through the adjacent cedar glade area.
Swimming at Anderson Road Day Use
Swimming takes place at a designated, official lake swim beach with a sandy shoreline reported at roughly 1,000 feet long; conditions are generally calm, lake-typical (minimal current) water suited to families and casual swimmers rather than adventure seekers, with no lifeguard supervision reported.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 4060 Anderson Road, Nashville, TN 37217, about 10 miles east of downtown Nashville; reached via I-40 east to exit 219, then local roads including Stewarts Ferry Pike.
Parking: On-site parking lot at the day-use area, entered by paying the vehicle day-use fee at the gate; one aggregator source notes spaces can be limited during busy periods.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up USACE day-use area: visitors park in the on-site lot just behind the beach and walk a short distance (well under 5 minutes) to the sand. No formal trail or hike is involved to reach the swim beach; a separate paved fitness trail (~1+ mile) loops through the adjacent cedar glade for those who want a walk, but it is recreational, not a route to the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official designated swim beach with sandy shoreline, two playgrounds, and calm lake-typical water, but no lifeguards are on duty and the beach sits next to a boat launch ramp, so parents should watch for boat traffic and unsupervised deep water beyond the shallows.
Parking
Paid, $5/vehicle/day
On-site parking lot at the gated day-use area, described by an aggregator as offering ample space including designated disabled-parking spots and accessible pathways to the beach; the $5 charge is the USACE day-use vehicle fee rather than a separate parking fee.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms and changing facilities are available at/adjacent to the beach (Recreation.gov; Tennessee Lakes and Rivers guide); one aggregator (Sandee) also mentions showers, though Sandee's copy is templated and should be treated cautiously.
Water clarity
Mostly clear
One regional guide describes a mostly sandy lake bottom with minimal current at this beach; a separate listing calls the water 'clear,' but that listing reuses templated boilerplate language across many beaches, so it is a lower-confidence signal. No first-hand trip reports or photos specific to Anderson Road's water clarity were found despite searching.
Hours
6 AM check-in to 6 PM checkout daily per Recreation.gov; the area may close entirely on weekends during periods of high visitor volume.
On the water
Restrictions: USACE requires all boaters to clean, drain, and dry boats and any equipment that contacted water to prevent invasive species spread; no other on-site restrictions (e.g., no-wake, electric-only) are published for this launch.
The day-use area has its own boat launch ramp per Recreation.gov, so trailered and car-top watercraft can launch on site. Sandee additionally lists kayaking, canoeing, sailing, speedboats, waterskiing, windsurfing, and yachts as available activities here, but that appears to be generic templated copy rather than a location-specific rental/activity confirmation, so it is noted with lower confidence.
Rentals nearby
Jet ski rentals and pontoon boat rentals; the broader Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort also advertises paddleboarding and flyboard/jetpack/hoverboard experiences
Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort on J. Percy Priest Lake, about 4.3 miles from Anderson Road Day Use (per RIDB nearby-facilities data); a 310-slip marina with fuel dock and double boat ramp
Anderson Road Day Use: FAQ
Does Anderson Road Day Use charge a fee?
$5.00 per vehicle per day (per Recreation.gov); one visitor review snippet cited $4 per car, possibly reflecting a prior fee.
Is Anderson Road Day Use kid friendly?
Official designated swim beach with sandy shoreline, two playgrounds, and calm lake-typical water, but no lifeguards are on duty and the beach sits next to a boat launch ramp, so parents should watch for boat traffic and unsupervised deep water beyond the shallows.
Do I need to hike to reach Anderson Road Day Use?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Anderson Road Day Use?
On-site parking lot at the gated day-use area, described by an aggregator as offering ample space including designated disabled-parking spots and accessible pathways to the beach; the $5 charge is the USACE day-use vehicle fee rather than a separate parking fee.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Anderson Road Day Use?
The day-use area has its own boat launch ramp per Recreation.gov, so trailered and car-top watercraft can launch on site. Sandee additionally lists kayaking, canoeing, sailing, speedboats, waterskiing, windsurfing, and yachts as available activities here, but that appears to be generic templated copy rather than a location-specific rental/activity confirmation, so it is noted with lower confidence.
When is the best time to visit Anderson Road Day Use?
Summer, per aggregator guidance recommending weekdays over weekends to avoid crowds; official hours run 6am-6pm.
What are the rules at Anderson Road Day Use?
No pets allowed at the day-use area; no off-road vehicles; group shelter use requires pre-approval from the Resource Manager; boaters must clean, drain, and dry equipment to prevent invasive species; the area may close on weekends due to high visitor volume. Check-in from 6am, checkout by 6pm.
What water body is Anderson Road Day Use on?
Anderson Road Day Use is on Stones River, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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