Old Hickory Lake Laguardo
Lebanon, Tennessee · on Dry Fork Branch · Old Hickory Recreation Area
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Old Hickory Lake Laguardo
Laguardo is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day-use area on Old Hickory Lake near Lebanon, Tennessee, about 7.5 miles from Nashville. Recreation.gov's official listing for the site designates a sandy beach swimming area alongside picnicking, fishing, and boat-launch facilities, making this swimming hole an easy-to-reach lake to swim in near the city.
The site sits on the shore of Old Hickory Lake, a 22,500-acre Cumberland River reservoir with 440 miles of shoreline, in a wooded setting off Highway 109 North near Lebanon, Tennessee.
Swimming at Old Hickory Lake Laguardo
Recreation.gov describes a sandy beach swimming area on the reservoir suitable for family day-trips; no independent first-hand accounts of water clarity, depth, or crowding were found to add further detail.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 7680 Hwy 109 North, Lebanon, TN 37087, about 7.5 miles from Nashville via I-40 East, exit 232-B.
Parking: On-site parking for up to 50 vehicles; spaces cannot be reserved and can fill up, per Recreation.gov.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Laguardo is a USACE day-use area with its parking lot directly adjacent to the sandy swim beach and lake access, per Recreation.gov's facility description; no trail or hike is needed to reach the water. Recreation.gov also notes hiking/biking trails at Lock 4 Park and the Shutes Branch mountain-biking trail nearby, but those are separate trail systems, not the route to this swim beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Recreation.gov describes Laguardo as a sandy-beach swim area with an on-site playground and calls it 'a great day-trip destination for kids and families,' but the official listing does not mention a lifeguard, and the beach sits directly next to a boat ramp/boat-trailer parking area on a reservoir with boat traffic, so young kids should be watched closely rather than left to swim unsupervised.
Parking
Paid, $5 per vehicle (day-use fee)
Gated entrance station collects the fee; on-site lot holds roughly 50 vehicles. Recreation.gov notes spaces cannot be reserved and the lot can fill up on busy days.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets (seasonal) on site, per the official Recreation.gov/USACE facility listing; no separate vault-toilet or trailhead facility is mentioned.
On the water
Recreation.gov lists 'Boat Ramp' and 'Boat Trailer Parking' among Laguardo's on-site amenities, confirming trailered motorboats can launch here; car-top kayaks/canoes can also use the ramp/lake access. No specific no-wake, electric-only, or watercraft-type restrictions are published for this location.
Old Hickory Lake Laguardo: FAQ
Does Old Hickory Lake Laguardo charge a fee?
$5 per vehicle for day-use access, per Recreation.gov.
Is Old Hickory Lake Laguardo kid friendly?
Recreation.gov describes Laguardo as a sandy-beach swim area with an on-site playground and calls it 'a great day-trip destination for kids and families,' but the official listing does not mention a lifeguard, and the beach sits directly next to a boat ramp/boat-trailer parking area on a reservoir with boat traffic, so young kids should be watched closely rather than left to swim unsupervised.
Do I need to hike to reach Old Hickory Lake Laguardo?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Old Hickory Lake Laguardo?
Gated entrance station collects the fee; on-site lot holds roughly 50 vehicles. Recreation.gov notes spaces cannot be reserved and the lot can fill up on busy days.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Old Hickory Lake Laguardo?
Recreation.gov lists 'Boat Ramp' and 'Boat Trailer Parking' among Laguardo's on-site amenities, confirming trailered motorboats can launch here; car-top kayaks/canoes can also use the ramp/lake access. No specific no-wake, electric-only, or watercraft-type restrictions are published for this location.
What are the rules at Old Hickory Lake Laguardo?
Recreation.gov notes firewood should be purchased locally rather than transported in, to prevent spread of forest pests; no lifeguard, hours, alcohol, or pet policy details were found on the official listing.
What water body is Old Hickory Lake Laguardo on?
Old Hickory Lake Laguardo is on Dry Fork Branch, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Lebanon
Anderson Road Day Use
Nashville, Tennesseereservoir
⛺🛶🚤
Defeated Creek Day Use Area
Defeated, Tennesseereservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Wartrace Creek Park
Gainesboro, Tennesseereservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Lock A Campground
Ashland City, Tennesseereservoir
⛺🛶🚤
Pleasant Grove Park
Celina, Tennesseelake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Lake Malone State Park Beach
Dunmor, Kentuckylake
⛺🛶🏄🚤