Big Ridge and Norris Dam State Parks
is located on Hwy. 170 near Maynardville, TN. It is situated on a section of Norris Lake. The park has several nice hiking trails. It has rustic cabins, picnic areas, hiking trails, and a swimming area. map...
View of the swimming area at Big Ridge from the Lakeside Trail.
This is one of the larger hillside cabins.
The swimming area at Big Ridge State Park is a roped-off part of the lake.
Norris Dam State Park has 2 kinds of cabins for rent. This is an example of the older, rustic cabins. They are set in a wooded area in the eastern section of the park.
is located in Norris, TN. It is easily accessible from I-75. It has hiking trails, wildflowers, 2 camp grounds, a swimming pool, a marina, and rustic and modern cabins. map...
Norris trail sign
A small "walk-across" dam is part of the Lakeside Trail at Big Ridge. It is fun to watch for fish from the dam.
This cliff is what gives the Bluff Trail its' name.
The Gristmill at Big Ridge was once used to grind corn and wheat for meal and flour.
has slips for all sizes of boats --- from 2-person paddleboats to houseboats. Many kinds of boats are available for daily rental. Like most of east Tennessee's lakes, Norris has nice, clear water.
The east campground is located up on a hill in a large powerline cut. You'll have to get there early to get a nice, wooded site.
Just on the lower end of this bridge is where the wildflowers suddenly begin en masse. If you get there early in the blooming season you'll see Bloodroot and Trout Lily here.
My friend, Terri, enjoying the view from the Lakeside Loop trail.
There is an old cemetery on a hill near one of the hiking trails. I liked this old "homemade" headstone that a family member chiseled out of a flat rock for a loved-one who "dyed" in January 1892. It shows the character of the mountain people who lived in the hills and "hollers" of the area long before the little farms and towns were drowned by Norris Lake in the mid-1930's.
The Bluff Trail follows the Clinch River below Norris Dam. It is a moderately easy trail.
The Picnic ground is on the hill above the swimming area.
We arrived at the Norris Dam SP swimming pool after closing time on the last day that it was open! What lousy timing! Oh well, at least I could show what the pool looks like.
This doe and her spotted fawn were seen in the woods next to the road. Unfortunately, all I had with me was my small pocket camera which doesn't do well in low, late afternoon light! I knew I should have taken my SLR!!! :( Some of the other animals seen in the park include groundhogs, turkeys, ducks, kingfishers, herons and other water birds, and hawks.
The old gristmill at Norris Dam State Park. It is located near a small museum.
The 3.2 mile River Bluff Trail at Norris Dam State Park is one of the best spring wildflower viewing areas in the state. There are huge masses of Trout Lilies, Purple Phacelia, Hepatica, Spring Beauties, several types of Trillium, Twinleaf, Violets, Celandine Poppy, and many others blooming in late March and early April.
View from the Lakeside Trail at Big Ridge.
Big Ridge State Park has several older rental cabins. This is one of the lakeside cabins. The cabins have screened-in porches and grills.
Paddle boats and canoes can be rented at Big Ridge. People can not bring their own canoe to use at the park.
The limestone from the old quarry near Norris Dam was used in the construction of the dam in the mid-1930's.
This is one of the modern cabins on the western side of Norris Dam State Park.
Many types of birds can be seen along the Bluff Trail at Norris including mallard ducks.