Norris Lake, covering 5 of the most naturally beautiful and pristine counties in the entire country, is also home to one of the most coveted secret vacationing spots in the country. We are blowing the lid off this one! Come see what Norris Lake has to offer you and your family!
Where is Norris Lake, and what's so special about it? Nestled between East Tennessee ridges, Norris Lake points the way to Cumberland Gap and the historic Wilderness Trail marked by Daniel Boone. From Norris Dam, and Norris Dam State Park, the lake extends 73 miles up the Clinch River and 56 miles up the Powell River and covers 34,200 acres! Norris Lake is the only area lake which does not have an ‘advisory’ caution issued by TVA! The Tennessee Valley Authority ranks Norris Lake as the cleanest and highest rated TVA Lake with approximately 96% purity and is crystal clear with 25’ visibility! The water color is a beautiful teal blue with natural stone and hardwood shorelines! About 80 percent of the 230,000 people who live in the Clinch-Powell watershed depend on the river system for drinking water and other benefits.
Anderson County, Campbell County, Claiborne County, Grainer County, and Union County surround the Watershed area that forms Norris Lake. Each of the cities and towns that are found within these counties add their own unique character to our area. The area is literally bustling with activity. Visit the scenic Norris Dam, built in 1936, an 18th century grist mill, or the Museum of Appalachia nearby. There are wildlife areas like Chuck Swann Wildlife Preserve and Big Ridge State Park, hiking and biking trails, camping sites and even horseback riding! That’s without even mentioning all of the water activities. There is something for everyone at Norris Lake. In fact, the recreational use of Norris Lake exceeds that of any other tributary reservoir in the TVA river system! Please click here to view an interactive Map of Norris Lake.
Where should I visit, what marinas are there? We have listed some of the best deals and destinations on Norris Lake Resorts and Vacation Rentals, Golf Courses, Norris Lake Hunting and Fishing Guides, and Marinas, water sport rentals and Norris Lake Real Estate. We even included some of our friends that can help you plan the Norris Lake vacation or lake home purchase of your dreams. After all, we do have the most beautiful lake and mountains in the world! But whether you are here to learn more about Norris Lake or are just returning to visit us and are thinking about buying a piece of lake heaven of your own, please look around...because if it happens on Norris Lake, it happens on this website. You can also view each Marina on our Norris Lake Map by using the magnifying glass icon within the adobe acrobat file. You may also be interested which Marinas have restaurants, please click her eto view a list of local restaurants both at marinas and in close-by cities surrounding Lake Norris.
What about Fishing? Fishing is also a big attraction on Norris Lake. The warm top portion of water and the deeper and cooler waters that can be found in many areas are both residence to many species of fish. Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Walleye, Rock fish and many other species are well known to reach 50lbs in weight. The rumor around the lake is that, there are catfish the size of VW bugs lurking around the deep waters of the dam! You may also be interested in the large wildlife preserve area Norris Lake surrounds. The Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area is a 25,000 acre wildlife preserve on a peninsula surrounded by Norris Lake . Hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, wildlife observation and photography are available. The area is popular among small and large game hunters. Primitive camping is also available. For more information call 800-332-0900.
So, what’s going on? Also on this site, you will find information on all of the upcoming events, festivals, and tournaments, as well as the best places to eat, stay, and play. If outdoor entertainment is your thing, you have come to the right place. Norris Lake is slam packed with exciting outdoor activities both on the water and off. So, whether it's water skiing, wake boarding, hiking, biking, or just relaxing in your very own lake home, we have you covered. We also have some great links to websites like Norris Dam State Park , Cove Lake State Park, and Big Ridge State Park. You may find additional information about programs or festivities on one of these links.
What else is nearby? Norris Lake is located near several cities and other popular vacation destinations. The thriving city of Knoxville is only minutes away, and if you are looking for even more "East Tennessee" entertainment, Sevier County is also nearby. Sevier County includes Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! It is a shopper and family vacationer’s paradise! If you are a couple wanting to find more information about how to get married in the Smoky Mountains, please visit the Sevier County Clerk at their Online Office by clicking here. If you want more information about lodging or accommodations in the Smoky Mountains please click on one of the previous links. Wedding Chapels are available for wedding ceremonies year round. We have listed these chapels within this website under the “Chapels” link. For Wedding Planning information such as florists and photographers please look under the wedding planning link. Also, another Norris Lake area favorite half-day mini trip destination is the Museum of Appalachia.
On Friday and Saturday nights in October, Big Ridge park rangers conduct guided night hikes to tell ghost stories from the park's past. For more information on these events, call the park office.
Big Ridge State Park - Friday & Saturday only. A spine tingling night hike guided by park rangers to a cemetery and the site of a haunted house. Reservations required.
http://tennessee.gov/environment/parks/BigRidge/
Step onto the grounds at the Museum of Appalachia's Tennessee Fall Homecoming--and surround yourself with the sounds, tastes, and excitement of an old-time mountain festival.
Hear the lilting strains of the fiddle...the rousing twang of the bluegrass banjo...the jubilant rhythm of dancers' feet...the familiar words of traditional mountain songs.
Hear the ringing axe biting into a cedar log...the clod-clod of the draft horse pulling the molasses mill round and round...the rhythmic whir of the spinning wheel transforming tufts of wool into yarn.
Savor the aroma of soup beans hot from iron kettles...country ham and melt-in-your-mouth biscuits...fried green tomatoes sizzling in the skillet. Sample a cup of sassafras tea brewed over an outdoor fire...apple butter simmered on the wood stove...homemade fried apple pies crisped on the griddle.
Thousands, young and old, come each year to the Museum of Appalachia's annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming, set for Oct. 12-15 in 2006. Now in its 27th year, it's been called one of the nation's most authentic old-time festivals with its emphasis on old-time music, handicrafts, and early pioneer skills.
Nationally known musicians will be joined by hundreds of regional and local performers playing old-time mountain, folk, traditional, gospel, and bluegrass music.
More than 150 artisans--some whose work is rarely seen elsewhere--will offer thousands of traditional handicrafts for purchase. Demonstrators will re-enact pioneer skills including quilting, basket weaving, blacksmithing, sawmilling, sheep herding, rail splitting, spinning and weaving, chair caning, lye soap making, and molasses making.
Visitors can enjoy the Smoky Mountain Antique Engine and Tractor Association demonstration and show, an event in itself--or challenge former National Champion Robert Butler to a game of checkers.
Some take the reunion theme literally, meeting family or friends in conjunction with the Museum celebration. Visitors may also tour the Museum's extensive 60-acre collection of authentic pioneer artifacts an d some three dozen historic log structures including the Mark Twain Family Cabin where the famous author's family once lived, and the historic McClung House built by one of East Tennessee's most prominent families--all in a picturesque setting with herb and vegetable gardens, split rail fences, and a variety of farm animals.
The Tennessee Fall Homecoming is held every year on the second full weekend of October, part of the Museum's mission to preserve the region's Southern mountain culture and pass it along to future generations. The event has previously been voted one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, and was named one of the Top 20 October Events by the Southeast Tourism Society for 14 years.
Hours are 9 a.m. to dusk daily, Oct. 12-15, regardless of weather. Ample free parking is available; a free shuttle service runs Saturday and Sunday from nearby Anderson County High School, west of the Museum. Special admission rates apply; advance tickets may be ordered at a discount. For a complimentary Homecoming brochure listing ticket information, performers, and artisans, call 865-494-7680, or e-mail museumappalachia@bellsouth.net.
