Big Ridge State Park: Delighting visitors for 90 years
Photographs by Tennessee Drone Services Inc.
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”
That quote by William Shakespeare has the ring of truth because no matter our backgrounds, our current life situations or our outlooks on a whole host of topics, we all live in the physical world that surrounds us. And when we step onto forested trails, walk alongside bodies of water or listen to birds singing in the trees and critters rustling in fallen leaves, there is a sense of connection to something bigger that, in turn, connects us to every human on Earth.
Parks are some of the best places to experience this connection, and if you’ve been reading this series on Tennessee’s state parks, you’ll know that the Volunteer State has lots of opportunities to immerse yourself in all of nature’s beauty. Our latest featured park is Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville, about a 40-minute drive north of Knoxville in Union County. It is among the oldest parks in the system, one of five demonstration parks that were developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The purpose of these demonstration parks was to showcase how public recreation could be developed along the shorelines of TVA lakes.
Big Ridge State Park actually predates the establishment of the Tennessee State Parks system by three years, the park having been created in 1934 alongside Norris Lake. Signs of the park’s genesis are scattered throughout the park in structures such as the rustic guest cabins that were built by the CCC during the Great Depression. If you’ve spent time in several state parks from that era, you’ll recognize the distinctive style.
There are even remnants of structures older than those built by the CCC. The circa-1825 Norton Gristmill is now mostly a replica, but two original pieces remain — the mill race and millstones. You might also glimpse hints of early settlements and farms. Cemeteries also help to tell the history of the land the park now occupies. They appear in many of the ghost tales from the area, which are highlighted at the park during their Halloween activities along the appropriately named Ghost House Trail.
A CANOPY OF TREES
A substantial amount of the park’s nearly 3,700 acres is covered by forests. These are marked by a series of ridges and valleys, streams and lakes and untold numbers of plants and animals. Weaving among all this natural wonder are more than 15 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to very difficult. Some of the points of interest along these trails are the site of the former 1780s Sharp’s Station Fort, a plaque marking the spot where Peter Graves was killed by the Native inhabitants of the area while turkey hunting, Big Ridge Dam that was constructed by the CCC and the Loyston Overlook, which allows hikers to see the widest part of Norris Lake where the town of Loyston once existed.
Like other parks that feature both forests and waterways, birders can enjoy spotting woodland songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. Watch for majestic bald eagles, owls and osprey as well as colorful golden-crowned kinglets, Northern cardinals and Eastern bluebirds.
DAY AT THE LAKE
Leonardo da Vinci was quoted as saying, “Water is the driving force of all nature.” In addition to its absolute necessity in our lives, it also can provide hours of fun and peace.
The park has lots of water surface and shoreline to enjoy, whether you fancy fishing, boating, swimming or paddling. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and stand-up paddleboards can be rented for use on 49-acre Big Ridge Lake, located within the park. Launch of personal craft of these types requires payment of a small fee. Rowboats can also be rented for use on Big Ridge Lake between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Inflatables are not allowed on the lake.
Fishing boats, ski boats and personal watercraft can be launched onto the 52.9 square miles of Norris Lake from the boat dock right outside the park entrance. Note that during the winter months, there is no access to the lake from this point because of the low water level.
You can fish from the banks of Big Ridge Lake for bass or bream. Gas motors and personal watercraft are not allowed on this lake, but you can rent jon boats or pedal boats for use on the lake. Personal electric trolling motors, however, can be used on the park’s jon boats.
The only place where swimming is allowed in Big Ridge State Park is at the designated swimming beach, which also includes a concrete-bottom area for kids. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimming is at your own risk, and the beach is only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
STAY A WHILE
If you’d like to spend more than a day at the park, consider booking one of the rustic, one-room cabins that have screened porches and views of sparkling Norris Lake. You’ll be within walking distance of playgrounds, tennis courts, the beach, picnic tables, a laundry facility, basketball courts, a sports field, boat rentals and the recreation hall that can be rented for special events The season for cabin rentals is April 1–Oct. 31.
If you would rather camp, Big Ridge has options to accommodate that as well. The 50-site campground can be used by those with RVs, camper trailers or tents. Each site has electric and water hookups, a grill and a picnic table. A dump station, bathhouses and a seasonal camp store are also available to campers.
For a more primitive camping experience, reserve a stay at one of the three backcountry campsites. Each requires a hike to get to, which must be completed during daylight hours. Each site has a rock fire ring but no grill grate. Water must be either carried in or treated and filtered.
SO MUCH TO DO
In addition to all the activities mentioned above, rangers regularly lead all manner of interesting programs — everything from kayak floats to children’s storytime to mushroom walks, even croquet and ultimate Frisbee.
Big Ridge is a great place to visit in all seasons, whether you enjoy identifying spring wildflowers, hiking in the summer or the spooky season in October when the tales of the park being haunted by former residents and those buried there are shared with visitors.
Big Ridge State Park
Big Ridge State Park is located at 1015 Big Ridge Park Road in Maynardville.
Visit tnstateparks.com/parks/big-ridge or call the park office at 865992-5523 for more information. Call 888-TN-PARKS to make reservations.
