Norris Dam State Park, Lake City, TN

When the Norris Dam was built it created the Norris Reservoir in 1933. This was part of the Tennessee Valley Authority project designed to put people back to work from the Great Depression. The park encompasses approximately 4,038 acres. There are miles of trails for hikers to enjoy through forested valleys and ridges.

The State Park is located at 125 Village Green Circle, Lake City, TN 37769. Norris Dam State Park is open seven days a week until 10:00 pm. The park office is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm 7 days a week. The park is accessible from I-75; visitors should take Exit 128 and then go two and half miles south on Highway 441. Norris Dam State Park is accessible to people with disabilities at the campground, swimming pool and cabins.

Norris Lake has about seven hundred miles of shoreline. It features the most beautiful scenery in the TVA reservoir system. There is plenty of opportunity for guests of the park to boat, fish and water ski. The park has a fully equipped marina, boat ramp open to the general public, and pontoon boats for cruising around the lake. Tennessee boating regulations must be followed.

There are two camping areas in the park, one with twenty five sites and the second with fifty camping sites. They are equipped with grills, tables, water and electrical hook ups although there are some primitive sites in the eastern section without these amenities. The site has a modern bathhouse and a dump station and there is a Laundromat by the Village Green Complex. This facility is adjacent to the swimming pool and recreation center. The cost at the laundry is a one dollar fee per washer and dryer.

Fishing can be found in the river and lake with brown and rainbow trout, small and large mouth bass, striped bass, crappie and walleye being the most abundant species in the water. A fishing guide is available and guests wishing to use their services should contact the park marina.

The miles of hiking trails are open year round and provide views of Norris Lake as well as the hills and valleys. Picnic areas are in the west and east areas. They have grills, tables, restrooms and a playground. Two large picnic pavilions are available for large groups. The first pavilion is first come first served while the second one can be reserved. They can accommodate about one hundred people and have grills and water faucets.

The park's public pools are closed on Monday and Tuesday except on Holiday weeks. The pool is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in the summer. Season passes are available and cabin and camping guests pay only half price admission.

Some of the special attractions at this park are an 18th Century Rice Grist Mill, an antique barrel organ and the Caleb Crosby Threshing Barn. The park has three tennis courts, badminton, horseshoes, and basketball and volleyball areas as well. Equipment can be checked out at the Village Green Complex from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.