Tennessee isn’t known for its expansive beaches, and we have our landlocked state lines to thank for that. Still, we do have a solid handful of waterfalls tucked up in our mountains and sandy beaches tossed along our lake sides, and sometimes you have to take what you get. Thankfully, we aren’t “settling” here in the Volunteer State. We don’t do anything half-heartedly, and a day that mixes our man-made lakeside beaches and our thoroughly natural waterfalls makes for one of the prettiest in memory.

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The Great Falls of the Caney Fork River is known as the top spot to visit in Rock Island State Park, and it's well worth a visit. Located roughly an hour and a half from the heart of Nashville, it's tucked away in the lush beauty of the mid-state and is incredibly close to a sandy beach.
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Rock Island State Park offers hiking, fishing, boating and all sorts of extracurricular sport opportunities throughout the park. It's also located close to a natural sand beach right on the banks of Center Hill Lake.
Michael Hicks - Flickr
There are multiple trails that will take you past waterfalls and gorgeous forested areas in Rock Island State Park, but we'd recommend you take the Rock Island Twin Falls moderate hike. It's only a little over a half mile, and makes it easy to hike to the falls and finish out your day on the beach.

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Rock Island State Park is made up of 883 acres of natural beauty, but Center Hill Reservoir gives it a run for its money. The lake itself is 64 miles long and boasts 415 miles of shoreline, and is fed by the same Caney Fork River that gushes through Rock Island State Park.
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The best surprise? It even has its own sandy beach! Most folks come expecting some kind of rocky, pebbly beach, but you can experience a taste of Florida sand in the heart of landlocked Tennessee.
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At less than thirty miles apart, you can split your morning with a waterfall hike and a drive down to the beach for a lunchtime picnic.
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Have you visited one park or the other? Have you planned a beautiful road trip just yet?

If waterfalls aren’t your jam, you may want to check out some of the most beautiful hidden lakes in Tennessee.

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