Big Ridge State Park

Introduction of Big Ridge State Park

Big Ridge State Park is located in Union County, Tennessee, along the Appalachian Ridge and Valley. The park’s 3,687 acres are heavily forested and bank the shores of Norris Lake, making for a beautiful scenic getaway. It was one of five parks created as a model for public recreation along the Tennessee Valley’s lakeshores. This development was led by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with assistance from the Civilian Conservation Corps and the National Park Service, as evidenced by the design and craftsmanship of the park’s structures.

The park offers a variety of land and water-based activities due to its heavily forested acres and proximity to Noris Lake. Fishing, hiking, boating, birding, and exploring the remains of homes and farms before the TVA were among the activities available to the entire family.

The park has 50 RV and tent sites with electric and water hookups, three hike-in backcountry campsites, and 20 cabins if you prefer something a little more luxurious. Big Ridge State Park has everything you’ll need for your next RV excursion!

While you’re in the area, visit Chuck Swan State Forest, where you can engage in outdoor activities such as mountain biking, fishing, and caving. If you’re only interested in water activities, head to Norris Dam State Park, where you can go boating, fishing, and water skiing along the reservoir.

Big Ridge State Park Camping

When you bring your RV to Big Ridge State Park, you can take advantage of the 50 RV and tent sites. These sites include water and electrical hookups, a paved parking pad, a grill, and a picnic table. Most sites can accommodate rigs up to 50 feet long; however, a few ADA-accessible sites can accommodate longer RVs, including one that can fit a 90-foot RV. Big Ridge State Park is a pet-friendly park, and you are welcome to bring your pets along on your RV trip as long as they are kept on a leash at all times.

If you need to use a dump station during your stay, there will be one nearby. Within the campgrounds, there are communal restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. Two of these restrooms are closed during the off-season, but one is always open for campers who come during the less busy months.

During their stay, campers can use the park’s laundromat. There is also a volleyball net, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a sports field close to the campgrounds. There is a seasonal camp store at the park, and you can buy firewood there all year.

Big Ridge State Park Activities

Fishing

Fishermen will enjoy their visit to the park! You can fish at Big Ridge Lake all year and catch a variety of fish, including crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. There are 49 acres to explore, and you can fish from the banks, your campsite, or a boat. Except for the stretch of swimming beach, you can fish throughout the park.

You can also go wade fishing in the Clinch River, which is only a few minutes away from the park. You’ll have a chance to catch brook, brown, and rainbow trout here. So bring your fishing rods with you when you visit the park in your RV.

Hiking and Biking

There is no reason not to get out and explore the outdoors with over 15 miles of hiking trails available. The trails range in length from 0.2 to 2.6 miles and are easy to difficult. They’re all fairly short, so you should be able to complete them all during your visit to the park. Hiking along these trails will expose you to a variety of terrains and provide you with breathtaking views.

While you are not permitted to cycle on the trails, you are permitted to cycle on all paved roads in the park, and there are a variety of country roads nearby for some mountain biking.

Boating

Your non-gas-powered boat is welcome to accompany you on your RV trip to Big Ridge State Park. You can launch your boat on Big Ridge inside the park for a small fee or on Lake Norris, which you can access via the boat ramp just outside the park’s entrance. Lake Norris allows gas-powered boats, and you can bring a wave runner or ski boat as well. Because of the low lake level, visitors will be unable to launch on Lake Norris using the boat ramp during the winter months.

If you don’t own a boat, you can rent one from the park and attach it to your own electric trolling motor, if you have one. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park also has a boat dock.

Paddling

If you enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or simply being out on the water, bring your boat with you when you visit the park. Big Ridge Lake is the ideal location for you to enjoy paddling in the water. Because no gas-powered boats are permitted on the lake, it is very peaceful and ideal for paddling.

If you don’t have your own boat or prefer not to bring it, you can always rent one from the park during the summer. You don’t have to limit yourself to renting a kayak or canoe; the park also rents paddleboards and SUPs.

Big Ridge State Park Location

Big Ridge State Park is located just off Highway-33 and is easily accessible. Rocky Top, which is less than 20 miles away from the park, is the nearest city. If you need supplies, odds and ends, or a meal, you can get them there. Because you’ll be driving along Highway-33, you won’t encounter any height restrictions or obstacles, and you’ll have plenty of room for even the largest of rigs.

Once off the highway, the roads leading to the park are quite winding in some places, so keep that in mind as you drive. The drive is very scenic, with trees in full bloom during the summer and spring, and bare trees during the autumn and spring.

Once inside the park, the roads remain paved, but drivers must slow down and obey the speed limit while keeping an eye out for pedestrians. If you’re staying for a few nights, park your rig at your site, or in the parking lot if you’re just passing through for the day.After you’ve parked, explore the rest of the park on foot or by bike, if you brought one.

Parking

Parking is available near the Visitor Center and the Park Office.

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available