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Nearby Parks:
Norris Dam State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Big Ridge State Park was one of five demonstration parks developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps as an example of public recreation development along TVA lakeshores. The heavily forested, 3,687-acre park lies on the southern shore of TVA's Norris Lake in Union County, Tennessee. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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CLEAN
VERRY NICE
Written by CAPN SAM
20-Apr-2008
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my favorite park
ITS CLOSED! ! ! !Due to construction. I just wonder if it will be open at all this year. This should have been done YEARS ago.
Written by djg
3-May-2008
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frequent flyer
I love the peaceful serenity!
This park has everything to offer from a basketball court to sitting on the cool screened in porched of your cabin.
The rangers are friendly and hospitable.
The park offers seasonal activities as well which my family and I enjoy, such as the spooky hiking trail during halloween. The yearly Easter Egg hunt and so much more. Needless to say we will be back many times over!
Written by Melissa
2-Jun-2008
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| Camping: |
| Big Ridge has 50 campsites on or near Norris Lake to accommodate RV's, trailers, and tent campers. RV campsites have a soft gravel pad will accommodate a unit up to 35 feet. Each site has water and 30-amp electrical hookups, picnic table and grill. A dumping station is provided, as well as two bathhouses with restrooms and hot shower facilities. Bathhouses are closed during the off season from November 1 to March 31.
NOTE: Big Ridge State Park campground is closed until further notice due to construction. The results of the campground construction project will include: a new bathhouse facility that will be open year-round, campsites that are accessible to people with disabilities, and an upgrade to 50 amp electrical service on most sites. Please bear with us, the finished work will make our campground an even better place to visit in the future. |
| Trails: |
| Over 15 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to very rugged. Trails travel along dry ridges, lush hollows, old roadbeds, lakeshores, and beside cemeteries and remnants of early settlements. Hiking is the only activity allowed on trails and restricted to horses and bicycles. Trails are open year round and overnight camping is allowed on designated backcountry campsites by permit only. |
| Picnicking: |
| Big Ridge has three covered picnic shelters, each capable of accommodating 25 - 30 people. The shelters may be reserved for a fee. Please call the park office for reservations. If not rented, shelters may be used free of charge, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each shelter is equipped with a grill and picnic tables. Waters spigots are located conveniently nearby. Open picnic areas with tables and grills are also available free to charge. The Recreation Hall also provides a picnic area and accommodates 70 people and is available to rent. Each shelter is equipped with a grill and picnic tables. Water spigots are located conveniently nearby.
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| Swimming: |
| A sandy beach next to Big Ridge Lake provides swimming enjoyment from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8:00a.m. - 8:00 p.m. daily. An enclosed, concrete-bottomed area is provided for children. Swimming is free of charge. There is no lifeguard on duty, swimming is at your own risk.
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| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Enjoy lake fishing year round anywhere from the shore of Big Ridge Lake except the swimming beach. Expect to catch a variety of fish such as bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and crappie. The boat dock at Big Ridge park is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Canoe, paddleboat and rowboat rentals are available on the 49-acre Big Ridge Lake. Visitors may use their own electric trolling motors on park rowboats. Gasoline outboards are not allowed on Big Ridge Lake. Fishing boats, ski boats and wave runners can be launched at the boat ramp on Norris Lake. No access to boat ramp at Norris Lake during winter months.
State license required for individuals between 13 and 65 years of age.
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| History of the Area: |
| Big Ridge State Park was one of five demonstration parks developed in the 1930?s by the Tennessee Valley Authority in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corp as an example of public recreation development along TVA?s Norris Lake. Before the park was created, the area was heavily populated and used for agriculture.
Other notable features of the park include: the Norton Gristmill built in 1825, remnants of Sharp?s Station Fort construction in the late 1700?s, and Indian Rock where a plaque commemorates the death of Peter Graves, a settler of Sharp?s Station. Graves was attacked by Indians at this spot. Also, the park has several notable structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corp. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Campgrounds | |  | Griffin Island Campground - Sevierville, TN
Looking for something different? Griffin Island is a family owned and family friendly 32 acre property that includes rental campers, full hook-up sites, and tent sites for rent on Douglas Lake. Griffin Island is your getaway from the mainstream but close enough to all the attraction of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Phone: 866-461-4561
Web Site: http://www.griffinisland.net |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| The US50 - A guide to the fifty states - The US50 is a extensive guide to history, outdoors, tourism, events and attractions for the fifty states. | | Tennessee on Hiker Central - Backpacking, hiking and camping tips and links for Tennessee | | East TN Fairs & Festivals - New directory of properties available for Offices,agents,brokers,Realtors,Auctioneers,of east Tennessee, for sale,residential,homes with acreage tracts,farms,lake front/view properties.rentals | | Lakehouse.com - Tennessee Lake Property - Norris Lake - Advertise your lake property here and sell it! Find lakehouse property, weather, fishing, boating, and camping information. Read the lakehouse bulletin board. Chat with others. Host your lake... |
| Nature Programs: |
| Seasonal Interpretive Rangers provide free weekly activities for the entire family during the summer months including guided hikes, movies, campfires, arts and crafts, nature programs, and organized sports activities.
Wildlife Presentation Salamander Hunt Creek Critters Backcountry Basics Campfire Owl Prowl Bat Watch Trees Nature Crafts Nature Games Native Plants for landscaping Wildflower Walks Tracks and Signs Guided Hikes |
| Area Campgrounds | | Southlake RV Park
3730 Maryville Pike
Knoxville, TN
(865) 573-1837
| Fox Inn Campground
2423 Andersonville Hwy
Clinton, TN
(865) 494-9386
| Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Prk
908 Raccoon Valley Rd NE
Heiskell, TN
(865) 947-9776
| Mountain Lake Marina & Cmpgrnd
136 Campground Rd
Lake City, TN
(865) 426-6510
| Quarter Horse Campground
1957 Raccoon Valley Rd
Powell, TN
(865) 938-3455
| Lost Creek Campground
320 Rush Sharp LN
Sharps Chapel, TN
(865) 278-3539
| Pennington 33 Bridge Marina
170 Beach Island Rd
Maynardville, TN
(865) 992-3091
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | 1 Limit Bait Shop
156 W End Ave
Knoxville, TN
(865) 966-8087
| Fishing Place Tackle Shop
4620 Mill Branch LN
Knoxville, TN
(865) 922-3704
| Rhea Springs Live Bait
108 Knox Rd
Knoxville, TN
(865) 689-5585
| Jack Wade Fishing Svc
7928 Quail Run Rd
Knoxville, TN
(865) 947-8018
| Outdoor Sports
314 Merchants Dr
Knoxville, TN
(865) 688-3667
| C R Outfitters
2822 Andersonville Hwy
Clinton, TN
(865) 494-2305
| Cumberland Mountain Sporting Goods
3328 Andersonville Hwy
Andersonville, TN
(865) 494-7767
| Smitty's Fishen Hole
866 Ridge Circle Rd
Andersonville, TN
(865) 494-8336
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Blue Green Resorts
4564 Chapman Hwy
Knoxville, TN
(865) 291-1620
| Stardust Marina
149 Stardust Ln
Andersonville, TN
(865) 494-7641
| Harbour Club at Stardust II
149 Stardust Ln
Andersonville, TN
(865) 494-0555
| Master's Lodge
5400 N Broadway St
Knoxville, TN
(865) 219-8068
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| Directions: |
| From I-75 exit 122, take Hwy. 61 east for approximately 12 miles. Park entrance is on the left. The park is located between the cities of Andersonville and Maynardville. |
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| Area Activities |
| Boat Rentals | | | Griffin Island Campground - Sevierville, TN
Looking for something different? Griffin Island is a family owned and family friendly 32 acre property that includes rental campers, full hook-up sites, and tent sites for rent on Douglas Lake. Griffin Island is your getaway from the mainstream but close enough to all the attraction of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Phone: 866-461-4561
Web Site: http://www.griffinisland.net |
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