There Is Something For Everyone At Norris Dam State Park
Boating, Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Historic Places, Mountain Biking, Playgrounds, Cabins, And A Foodie Draw
We in East Tennessee are blessed with an abundance of choices when it comes to spending a day on the water--we have 9 lakes and 11 rivers within an hour’s drive of Knoxville including the Tennessee River that has its start just outside of town.
Out of the many options surrounding us, I have always been partial to spending time on Norris Lake. Just north of Knoxville, I love its clear water and the rolling hills surrounding it.
The shores of Norris Lake are mostly undeveloped as they consist of lots of TVA land plus 2 state parks, a huge state forest, and several wildlife management areas. All of that preserved land means that the shoreline is not crammed full of boat docks and the water is not full of runoff.
So besides the clear water and lesser boat traffic compared to other lakes in the Knoxville area, you get to see lots of trees and lots of wildlife, always a big plus in my book.
One of my favorite ways to explore Norris Lake is to spend the day (or the weekend) at Norris Dam State Park. This fantastic state park is just 35 minutes from West Town Mall in Knoxville and a mere 7 miles from Interstate 75. Centered around Norris Dam, the state park encompasses over 4,000 acres as well as miles and miles of shoreline on Norris Lake.
Why We Like It
Norris Dam State Park is near enough to Knoxville to make it an easy family day trip or even a last minute overnight camping trip. It has a ton of activities available on site-- hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and mountain biking that keep even the most jaded kid excited.
Plus, the excellent Clinch River Brewery is minutes away from the park, meaning I have somewhere delicious to depend on for at least one meal of the trip. (I am not an enthusiastic camp cook and have been known to pack only granola bars for multiple meals.)
I like to hike or bike in the morning and be on the water in the afternoon with a picnic lunch in between. Then finish the day at Clinch River Brewery before heading to the campsite or driving home. That’s a pretty perfect day at Norris for me!
Map of Norris Dam State Park in relation to Knoxville. Map courtesy of OpenStreetMaps with my own additions.
Map of Norris Dam State Park, courtesy of Tennessee State Parks
Lots Of Things To Do At Norris Dam State Park
Fishing, hiking, kayaking, picnics, mountain biking, playgrounds, history, and more…You will find something to entertain everyone in Norris Dam State Park.
BOATING
Head to Norris Marina next to the dam to launch your boat ($10 launch fee) or rent one for the day from the marina ($185-$225 for pontoon and ski boats).
You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and nifty HydroBikes from Norris Paddling Adventures, which can also be found at the marina. If you brought your own canoe or kayak, you can put in at the marina if you want to be on the lake. If you would rather be on the river, you can use the public canoe launch on the Clinch River just a minute downriver from the dam.
FISHING
If you plan on fishing and you are over 13 years old, you will need a permit. Find them at the marina, the park office, or most area gas stations. The lake is stocked with bass but you can also find crappie and bluegill, which tends to be all I ever catch but I am a terrible fisherman. The kids do much better than me.
The Clinch River downriver from the dam is good for trout fishing. You can bring your own kayak or canoe, fish from the shore, or use the fishing point that is located by the small weir dam a little bit downriver from the Lenoir Museum Complex.
SWIMMING
Norris Dam State Park has a large public swimming pool and kiddie pool. Admission is $5 a person (free under 3) and $3 for people camping at the park or renting a cabin through the park. The pool is located on the west side of the dam, near the park office.
The pool is generally open Memorial Day to the beginning of August. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian over 18.
HIKING
If you would rather stay dry (or it is winter), check out the 15 hiking trails in the park. They range from an easy 0.5 mile stroll to a more challenging 5 mile one-way hike. Many of these trails can be linked together to make a hike perfect for your family. The website has a decent list of trail descriptions and maps.
I like to start at the parking lot on the east side of the dam and hike Lakeside Trail (0.5 miles), then continue onto a short section of Christmas Fern Trail (0.2 miles) in order to connect to Tall Timbers Trail (0.4 miles).
From there, I keep going onto Lake View Trail. You can hike the entire 4.6 miles of Lake View Trail or just stop and turn around whenever it suits you. This combination of trails stays mostly along the lake so you get decent views (especially in the winter and the branches are bare) plus, it stays fairly level for the most part, making it doable for most families.
Part of the short Lakeside Trail (the trail starting right next to the dam and not to be confused with the longer Lake View Trail) is a storybook trail which makes it a great choice for younger kids. Each sign adds another paragraph to the story and has large illustrations for the kids to look at. They love running ahead to each sign and seeing what happens next.
The start of Lake View Trail at the end of Tall Timbers Trail.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Eleven of the park’s hiking trails can also be used for mountain biking. I haven’t brought my bike here yet (it is on the list) but after asking around, it seems that there really isn’t any technical stuff that would peak the interest of hardcore riders but the trails are scenic. Norris also tends to dry out faster than other trails in the area so it is popular in muddy weather and in the winter.
Check out Norris Watershed (adjacent to the state park) for even more trails. You get to the main parking area for the watershed by going up Lower Clear Creek Road behind the Lenoir Museum Complex. The website MTB Project has some descriptions and maps for a few of the trails for the watershed and for Norris Dam State Park.
Nearby Loyston Point (24 minutes away) is a much more developed mountain bike park, with 3 nicely maintained trails good for beginner to intermediate riders. Lots of flow and rollers with occasional climbing.
PLAYGROUNDS
The picnic pavilion on the east side of the park (near the Tea Room) has a large covered picnic area and a good- sized playground. I think this is the best one in the park but you will also find small playgrounds near the park Visitor Center on the west side, in the West Campground, among the standard cabins, and in the center of the historic CCC cabins.
Go for a short hike on the nearby Christmas Fern Trail, Tall Timbers, and Lakeside Trails before coming up to the playground near the Tea Room for a picnic lunch and playbreak. Then spend the hot afternoon on a kayak or paddleboard. The kiddos will think this is the greatest day ever.
The large playground and the picnic pavilion on the east side of the park near the Tea Room.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Five trails on the east side of the park can be used by horses; they are Camp Sam, Lake View Trail, Lakeside Loop, and Highpoint Trail. You can also take horses on the trails in the adjacent Norris Watershed Area.
I don’t have first hand experience taking a horse to Norris but 5 riders stopped in at the Clinch River Brewery last time I was there and said they enjoyed the trails around the watershed. My 10 year old nephew enjoyed seeing people arrive at a restaurant on horseback.
CRAFT BEER
If you love good craft beer and excellent food in a cheerful family friendly setting then you will love the Clinch River Brewery. Conveniently located near the Lenoir Museum Complex and about a minute from Norris Dam, they keep around 15 of their beers on tap and have cultivated a good reputation for the beer as well as for the food. The chef has a rotating menu of appetizers, small bites, large bites, and dessert that changes based on what’s seasonally available.
My nephew and I were very excited about our fried artichoke and heirloom tomato salad and our homemade gnocchi. I tried the brown ale and loved it but may go for the tasting flight on my next visit so I can try more of their beers.
In addition to the delicious food and yummy beer, Clinch River Brewery has a lovely outdoor beer garden complete with a rainbow trout stocked pond. Ask for some fish food at the order counter and let your kids have at it. The inside has several TVs as well so you won’t miss the game if you are visiting in the fall.
The brewery has different hours depending on the season so be sure to check the website before visiting.
*Pro Tip- The brewery is only about a 5 minute drive from the campground on the east side of the park and is a lifesaver when you get caught in a downpour while trying to cook your hotdogs over the campfire.
Lots Of History Too At Norris
NORRIS DAM VISITOR CENTER
If you are a TVA buff, then you definitely need to stop in at the Norris Dam Visitor Center on the east side of the dam. Even you aren’t a history buff, stop here and admire the views.
TVA is the abbreviation of the Tennessee Valley Authority for those unfamiliar the acronym. It began as a Great Depression era project and currently operates 29 hydroelectric dams as well as coal and nuclear plants. TVA is a huge employer in the area as well as having an outsized impact on other aspects of daily life, from electricity supply to fish stocks to controlling the water levels of just about every lake and river in the valley.
Cool sign at the overlook on the west side of the dam detailing all of the dams in the TVA system. The Visitor Center can be seen in the distance on the other side of the dam.
Norris Dam was the first dam constructed by TVA in 1933 and although it brought electricity, flood control, and jobs to one of the most impoverished regions of America, it wasn’t without controversy. Just under 3,000 families had to be moved because the newly formed lake would flood their homes. Around 152,000 acres were bought by the government using eminent domain. Lots of those people had been here for generations.
Read the Knoxville News Sentinel’s short article about the history of Norris Dam to give you an idea.
Norris Dam Visitor Center
The Norris Dam Visitor Center is a small place but has several interesting (and short) videos about the history of Norris Dam and TVA in general. The volunteers at the desk are all retired TVA employees and most of them are enthusiastic story tellers and wonderful trivia sources.
The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from April to November, 10 am - 4 pm Mon- Sat and 1 pm - 4 pm on Sundays.
HISTORIC CCC CABINS, TEA ROOM, AND CAMP KINCHEN
You can explore more Great Depression history at the CCC cabins, the Tea Room, and old Camp Kinchen in the east side of the park. They were all built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s.
The small loop containing the historic CCC cabins and Tea Room on the east side of the dam is a quick detour, about 15 min tops from the dam’s Visitor Center. The Tea Room is rented out for events and the cabins for overnight stays so you can’t really tour the inside but like I said, you can drive the loop around and see them. It is a pretty drive and there is a large playground nearby.
The CCC workers who lived in these cabins were primarily involved in planting trees for erosion control, constructing recreational buildings for the public, and helping out with the fish hatchery. Workers building Norris Dam were not housed in these cabins as TVA built the nearby planned town of Norris for their workers.
The Tea Room was also built by the CCC and has been used as a restaurant, camping supply store, and dance hall over the years. It is now rented out for events. You can peek in the windows if it isn’t open. Park by the Tea Room to hit the hiking trail behind it (the Christmas Fern Trail will take you down to the lake and to more trails).
If you really like CCC history, hike the short Camp Sam Trail to the old Camp Kinchen, a CCC camp that housed 220 men in the 1930s and 1940s, paying them $30 a week ($25 of which was sent directly to their families). There isn’t much left of the camp itself but the park has put up informational plaques with photographs and descriptions of life in the camp. This is an easy, 1 mile RT hike with the trailhead right off Highway 441 near the Clinch River Brewery.
THE LENOIR MUSEUM COMPLEX
The Lenoir Museum Complex is a nice little place to spend an hour, especially given its low, low price of free. The complex consists of the small Lenoir Museum, and after a very short walk across the stream, you will find the picturesque Caleb Crosby threshing barn and an 18th century grist mill.
The Museum is open year round Wed- Sun 9-5, while the Grist Mill and Threshing Barn are open April 15- Oct 31, Wed- Sun, 9-5.
Picture courstesy of Brian Stansberry, CC. BY. 3.0
The Lenoir Museum is surprisingly interesting considering its unprepossessing exterior. You’ll find lots of photos of the area before, during, and after construction of Norris Dam as well the many, many artifacts collected by the founder, Will Lenoir. He was committed to preserving the history of the area and spent his life accumulating farm tools, buckets, furniture, and documents, among many other things big and small.
*Pro Tip- If you are here on a Sunday, do plan your day around the live bluegrass from 2-5 pm at the museum. With anywhere from 5-15 very talented people playing guitars, banjos, fiddles, harmonicas, flutes, an autoharp, and an upright bass, it is a really fun experience. And it is free as well so really, you have no excuse not to check it out. My 10 year old nephew and I unintentionally discovered the music while stopping in at the museum on a Sunday afternoon for what was meant to be a short visit but ended up staying an extra hour to listen to these excellent musicians.
The Grist Mill and Threshing Barn are worth the short walk away from the museum to check out, especially given their scenic location on the creek. The Grist Mill was operated by 4 generations of the same family until their land was flooded by the construction of Norris Dam. TVA bought the mill, took the entire building apart piece by piece, and reassembled it all here. The mill still works and you can buy flour during the summer when the water wheel is operating. The grist mill shop also sells souvenirs and a very small selection of snacks and drinks.
The Caleb Crosby threshing barn was originally located on the banks of the Holston River but was moved when that farm was inundated by the building of Cherokee Dam. The family donated the barn to TVA and it was reconstructed here in 1978. Kids will like the treadmill for the oxen that powered the threshing machine.
Where To Stay At Norris Dam State Park
The parks has 19 historic CCC cabins, 10 modern cabins, 2 campgrounds, and one backcountry campsite.
* Pro Tip- All campers and cabin renters can launch boats for free at the marina and get reduced admission to the park’s pool. Just show your receipt.
Rustic CCC Cabins
Located on the east side of the park, the 19 cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s are the definition of quaint, although with modern comforts such as hot water, heat, and AC. Linens are also provided.
Most are two person max cabins consisting of one large room with a double bed, dining table, sofa, and tiny kitchen area (sink, dishes, oven, microwave, and fridge/ freezer). All of the cabins have one small bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet. The cabins also have a fire ring, grill, and picnic table outside and many also have a small screened-in porch.
Eight of the cabins can sleep 4 people but still have one bathroom. Most are just slightly larger and have a second double bed in the one room. Three of the 4 person cabins actually have a second bedroom but it can only be accessed from the screened in porch so you have to go through the porch to get to the bathroom in the main room.
If you are looking for a 2 person cabin, then I would definitely go for the cabin labeled R8 which is set way far away from the other cabins. Otherwise, I would go for any of the ones on the outer loop first as they are a little more private than the inner loop ones.
CCC cabins cost $100-$200 a night depending on size and time of year. There is a 2 night minimum stay requirement and 3 nights during busy times of year, such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. Cabins #10 and #12 allow pets for an extra $20 a night.
Reserve the CCC cabins online.
Standard Cabins
On the west side of the park, near the park headquarters and the pool, you will find 10 newer and larger cabins as compared to the historic CCC cabins. All of these cabins have 3 bedrooms (with a double bed in each room) and one bathroom plus a full kitchen, and a large living/ dining room.
These more modern cabins also have an outdoor grill, fire ring, and a picnic table. Besides central heat and air, you will also find gas fireplaces in the winter and linens are provided.
Standard cabins cost $120-$240 per night, depending on the season. There is a 2 night minimum stay requirement and 3 nights during busy times of year, such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. Cabin #9 allows pets for an extra $20 a night.
Reserve the standard cabins online.
East Campground
This campground is the most easily accessible from the dam and consists of 2 loops- one for RVs and a primitive loop for tent campers only. The RV loop (25 sites all with water and electricity) would not be my first choice as the sites are incredibly close together and it can be loud. Plus, they are located right underneath large transmission lines.
The bathhouse in the East Campground is nice enough, though a little dated, but clean and with free hot water showers, always a huge plus in my book. No dishwashing station but it was easy enough to use the sinks in the bathroom.
As you can see the campsites are really close together in RV loop of the East Campground
If you are tent camping, then I would definitely pick the Primitive Loop in the East Campground as the 10 campsites here were much more private and had lots of shade. (It is called primitive because there is no water nor electricity at the sites- you have to walk up to the RV loop.)
Each primitive campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. The bathhouse is a little ways away up by the RV loop but we didn’t find it to be too much trouble to walk the 2 minutes it took to get there. The ground is a little gravelly though so be sure to pack a tarp and maybe an extra large blanket to put under your tent.
We stayed in campsite P6 and thought it was fine. It was a large site and had some decent trees for hanging a hammock. It was just a little rocky. If I could pick between any of them, I would choose P8 as it had more grass cover and was on the edge of the loop so you only had neighbours on one side.
If you had a group with you, I would choose sites P2, P3, and P4 as they were grouped together and a little ways away from the other campsites. And I would beware of site P0 and P1 as they were right underneath the large power lies running through the campground. Good stargazing but you could hear the hum of electricity.
Reserve campsites online. Price ranges from $25- $60 per night for sites with water and electricity to $15-$50 for primitive sites. Prices depend on the season with summer being more expensive.
West Campground
The West Campground has 50 decently spaced apart sites, all with water and electricity hookups. The sites on the outer loop are more private than the ones on the inner loop, especially as the fire rings and tent sites were a bit below the parking pad.
The bathhouse is much like the one in the East Campground, clean but dated, with showers and toilets. The playground is large and looks pretty new. This campground seemed a little quieter in general than the RV loop of the East Campground, maybe because it had more a mix of tents and RVs. Plus, it had a lot more shade.
*Pro Tip- If you have a really big RV, you will find the road up to the West Campground a little difficult as it is narrow and has a lot of switchbacks. I did see some pretty good sized rigs up there though so it can be done, just be ready for it.
My favorite sites in the West Campground were #5, #7, #9, #11, and #28 as they looked to have the most amount of room. #13, #15, and #17 were a little too close together as were the higher numbered campsites (#30-#49) on the outer loop. All of the inner loop sites are pretty close together so unless being right next to the bathroom is a priority, I would choose a site on the outer loop.
Reserve campsites online. Price ranges from $25- $60 per night depending on season.
Backcountry Campsite
There is one backcountry site at the end of the 1.95 mile long Andrews Ridge Trail. The site has room for 3 tents (6 people max) and a fire ring but nothing else. Bring your own water too as there isn’t anything nearby. The trail there isn’t too difficult (easy to moderate) so this might make a perfect first backcountry camping trip for the kiddos.
Check in a the park office to pay for the backcountry site before you head out. Prices range from $8- $30 during peak season. (Which seems really high to me but I haven’t seen the campsite- maybe it’s worth it. )
Nearby Vacation Rentals
If you want to stay near Norris Lake in a vacation rental, consider a lakefront vacation rental complete with boat dock and amazing views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. These properties are absolutely beautiful and some are large enough to easily accommodate two families. Have a family reunion and invite everyone!
Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never received compensation at the behest of any organization or company. If you book one of our recommended properties from our links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission which helps support this website. Thanks! Full Disclosure Statement.
WITHIN 10 MIN OF NORRIS DAM STATE PARK
Beautiful Norris Lake Floating House Property. New rental, 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Located on the lake at Norris Dam Marina, this floating house is so much bigger than you might expect and the kids will absolutely love being able to walk outside and jump straight in the water. Sleeps 8. Approx $500 a night.
Below Norris Dam/ Clinch River Lodge- Tennessee Trout Fishing Just down river from the dam, right on the banks of the Clinch river, is this lovely and large cabin. A fisherman’s dream but also great for those who can bring their own canoes or kayaks. 5 bedrooms, 5 baths and sleeps 20. Approx $300 a night.
TN Norris Lake & Clinch River Trout Fishing- Out The Back Door! Also just downriver from Norris Dam, this cute cabin right on the river provides everything you need for a fun family weekend. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and sleeps 7. Approx $200 a night.
WITHIN 30 MIN OF NORRIS DAM STATE PARK
Ultra modern home with gentle, paved pathway to private dock. 4 bedroom/3 bath; sleeps 15 with 2 separate bunk rooms sleeping 11 altogether. Great decks with fireplace, wonderful views, modern and airy. Approx. $4000/week.
Waterfront Property. Stunning Newer Build on Big Creek- Private Cove and Dock. 4 bedroom/3 bath; sleeps 12 with a bunk room sleeping 6. An amazing deck with super cozy fireplace. Looks brand new. Approx. $600 night.
"The BEST house on the lake" according to the reviews! NOTHING compares. 4 bedroom/4 bath; sleeps 14. This house has an amazing outdoor kitchen. Also a pool table. Approx. $650 night.
Waterfront, Private Covered Dock, Sleeps 11+, 3.5 Bath, Wifi, Majestic Lake View. 3 bedroom/3 bath; sleeps 11 with a bunk room suite. Terrific views from the house. Ping pong table. Approx. $395 night.
WITHIN 45 MIN OF NORRIS DAM STATE PARK
Spectacular NEW CONSTRUCTION 2 Story Dock 2 boat slips and 2 wave runner slips 4 bedroom/3 bath; sleeps 18 with 2 bunk rooms sleeping 6 each. Outdoor deck with fireplace and amazing views from inside as well. $675 night.
PetermannvilleUSA™, VRBO #1 Resort on Norris Lake, TN Pet Friendly, + 2 Kayaks. 4 bedroom/3 bath; sleeps 10 with 7 total beds. Outdoor ping pong and a small fire pit, pet-friendly. Approx. $365 night.
Norris Lake makes for a perfect place to spend a day, a weekend, or even a week with the family. Go fishing, water-skiing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Or just bring a float and spend a day lazing around in Norris Lake’s clean and cool water. If water sports aren’t your thing, you’ll find hiking trails, playgrounds, camping opportunities, and mountain biking to entertain the family, as well as a little bit of history at the Norris Dam Visitor Center and the Lenoir Museum Complex. Norris Dam State Park is a fantastic family destination for any aged kids.
If you are here in April, then you might get lucky enough to catch TVA spilling water over the top of Norris Dam. It only happens every couple of years after we get some torrential rain but it is well worth taking the time out to go see (and hear!) this event. Photo courtesy of TVA.
