No matter where you live in Tennessee a state park is within an hour’s drive. This area is even luckier; in an hour’s drive you can reach not one, but five state parks: Norris Dam, Big Ridge, Cove Lake, Indian Mountain, and Frozen Head State Parks. If you do not mind driving a little further you can reach two more in an hour and a half: Fort Loudoun and Panther Creek State Parks.
They say Big Ridge, located in Maynardville, is Norris Dam’s sister park and it is an accurate description. Norris Dam and Big Ridge have much in common, the terrain, they sit on Norris Lake, the land was used for farming, and they have a common history with TVA’s presence and the CCC. Here you can go fishing on the banks or on the dock and rent a canoe, paddle boat, or rowboat on Big Ridge Lake. 11 hiking trails will take you by the lake shore, along ridges, hollows, and old roadbeds. As Ranger Sarah says, “If you visit Big Ridge State Park on your vacation you can take it at your own pace, from speed boats to screened in porches.” As you attend one of their interpretive programs you may come across Ranger Ferguson and his horse Tater or Ranger Sarah and Miss B as they patrol the park. At the end of a busy day you can camp or stay in one of their rustic cabins. For more information and cabin reservation call the park office at (865) 992-5523.
As you go north on Interstate-75 you will come across Cove Lake State Park in Caryville. Although it may be a smaller park, 673 acres, it has a lot to offer. It has plenty of camping sites, 106 sites; even more opportunities to eat lunch at one of the 112 picnic tables or Rickard Ridge BBQ Restaurant; lots of birds to view, cranes, great blue heron, water fowl, and an occasional bald eagle; and lots of recreational activities: badminton and tennis, shuffleboard and horseshoes, field games and playgrounds. It probably stays busy because it is a friendly park. As Ranger Wray says, “We’re a friendly place, friendly rangers, friendly office and maintenance staff, friendly all the way around.” For more information call the park office at (423) 566-9701.
Continue up Interstate-75 and you will reach Indian Mountain State Park in Jellico, the last exit before you enter Kentucky. This park has a
unique beginning; it is a reclaimed strip mine. It too has a lot to offer. For those who love water you can rent pedal boats or go fishing at one of the several ponds for blue gill, largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. The park has two trails, one paved and one unpaved. You can eat lunch at one of the several picnic tables or rent a shelter if you’re planning a family gathering. Cool off by the swimming pool and then retire for the evening at your campsite. In between swimming and grilling out dinner be sure to catch an interpretive program!
If you head west you will reach Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg. Frozen Head is one of the largest state parks in Tennessee with 24,000 acres. Park rangers are often asked what there is to see at the park, and sometimes visitors are on a time constraint, being only able to spend a few minutes or an hour. Ranger Hodge says, “If you only have one hour to spend at the park I’d cry.” And cry is right as Frozen Head boasts an awe inspiring terrain. Along the 80 miles of trails you can see streams, waterfalls, bluffs, and 16 ridge tops. On a clear day you can climb to the top of the lookout tower and see the Smokies, Mount LeConte, wind mills on Buffalo Mountain, Kingston, and Watts Bar. It is a sight to see, trust me. Even the night sky is exquisite; you can catch up with Ranger Hodge as he talks about the night sky. As you picnic at one of their picnic tables you may see Ranger Ingram and Bic Mac, his Tennessee Walking Horse, as they patrol, conduct an interpretive program, or are about to go out on a search and rescue. For more information please call the park office at (423) 346-3318.
Fort Loudoun State Park is a historical park located in Vonore, an hour and a half from Norris Dam. Its history traces to the French and Indian War. Fort Loudoun was completed in 1756 by the British Army as a fortification on the frontier against the French Army. The Cherokee, who were aligned with Britain, requested a fort be built to protect women, children, and elderly as men were away fighting. However, two years later in 1758 relations between Britain and Cherokee began to decline; in 1760 Fort Loudoun was under siege for several months and finally surrendered. The weekend of August 11 and 12 you can visit the fort for a garrison weekend; a garrison is a reenactment of the daily lives of the soldiers, women and children at the fort. You may see soldiers drill, women cooking, and children at play. Many forts served from one war to another. However, Fort Loudoun was only in operation for the French and Indian War. Ranger Hughey points out the significance of the fort; today, it is the only British fort of that time period that was in service for only one war and is still an active interpretive site. For more information call the park office at (423) 884-6217.
Visit your state parks this summer and take in a hike, cruise along a lake, or enjoy our pleasant nature. All of these parks offer interpretive programs from Memorial Day through Labor Day and several will be hosting special events. Please contact the respective park office for more information about camping, recreational activities, interpretive programs, and much more. Out of 53 state parks, 7 are practically in your backyard, so be sure to stop by and enjoy at least one of them. Happy camping and happy hiking!
Frozen Head State Park photo courtesy of Michael Hodge
Fort Loudoun State Park photo courtesy of Fort Loudoun Association
