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Tennessee
421

Tennessee State Parks

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USA Parks
Tennessee
East Region
Panther Creek State Park
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Panther Creek State Park Wild Turkey © Jean Sickler
Panther Creek State Park View From The Pool Area © Jean Sickler
Panther Creek State Park The Boat Ramp © Jean Sickler
Panther Creek State Park Overlook to Douglas Lake © Jean Sickler
Panther Creek State Park Spring Blooms © Jean Sickler
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PANTHER CREEK STATE PARK
PANTHER CREEK STATE PARK
2010 Panther Creek Park Road
Morristown, Tennessee   37814

Phone: 423-587-7046
Panther Creek State Park, covering approximately 1,435 acres, is located on the shores of Cherokee Reservoir, an impoundment of the Holston River. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located about 45 miles south.

Legend has it that both Panther Creek and Panther Springs, located about 1 1/2 miles southeast of the park, received their names from the claim of a Colonel Bradley of Virginia who, while exploring the area, shot a panther that fell into the spring.
Camping
Panther Creek has 50 campsites complete with water, electrical hookups, grills, picnic tables, fire rings and a bathhouse facility. A laundromat facility is also available.

The two bathhouse facilities provide hot showers, commodes, and lavatories. The campground also has a dump station for self-contained trailer rigs. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum stay is two weeks.
Swimming
Panther Creek State Park's large fan-shaped swimming pool opens Memorial Day week-end and is open Tuesday through Sunday until mid-August. From then until Labor Day, the pool is only open on week-ends. There is a high dive, a low dive and a wading pool for small children. A lifeguard is on duty during pool hours.

Aside from lots of nice grassy areas on which to sunbathe, there is also a small shelter for those who want to get out of the sun.

Contact the park for more information on the openings and closings.
Boating
Cherokee Lake is a beautiful lake for boating. Nearby commercial marinas provide boat launching and rental boats and motors, as well as a bait shop that supplies fishing and picnicking needs.
Fishing
Cherokee Lake provides year-round catches of bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and bream. Rock fishing is particularly good and it is not uncommon to catch 20-and 30- pound fish. There is no park fee for fishing but a valid Tennessee fishing license is required. Nearby commercial marinas provide boat launching and rental boats and motors, as well as a bait shop that supplies fishing and picnicking needs.


Location
Panther Creek State Park is located near Dandridge, Jefferson City and Morristown

Picnicking
Conveniently located in shaded areas throughout the park are approximately 78 picnic tables. Grills are spaced throughout the area to be available to every four picnic tables and water spigots can be found near each site.

The park has two large picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to one year in advance for larger groups.

Smallman Shelter:This shelter seats approximately 85-90 people and overlooks beautiful Cherokee Lake, where gorgeous sunrises and sunsets can be viewed. There are four grills in the center of the shelter with restrooms located on the side. Several other picnic tables are found immediately off the shelter area. There is also a horseshoe pit beside the shelter.

Spoone Shelter:This shelter contains 14 picnic tables and seats approximately 140 people. There are four grills located in the center of the shelter. The shelter is equipped with a water spigot and electrical outlets and restrooms are conveniently located nearby. This shelter is near a nice wooded area about 1/4 mile from the pool and playground.

Contact the park for reservations and for more information.
Trails
Panther Creek offers 13 hiking and biking trails, 5 are hiking only. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trails. Experienced mountain bikers are encouraged to leave their cars in the parking area near Panther Creek Road, just to the west of Boat Ramp Road. Less experienced riders may use any parking area. A sign at each trail head gives the name of the trail and its distance. The sign may also state how far it is to a connecting trail.

Hiking and Biking Trail Descriptions

1. & 2. Old Farm Trails are easy 1.0 or 1.5 mile loops.

3. Trout Lily Trail is a 2.0 mile loop developed by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. It's for experienced bicyclists.

4. Deer Run Trail winds back and forth for 0.8 miles

5. Piney Cove Trail after 0.6 mile, connects with either Old Wagon Trail or Panther Path.

6. Panther Path starts near the park entrance. It quickly joins Piney Cove Trail which leads to all other bicycle trails.

7. Norris Blackburn Trail is a 0.2 mile uphill to a wildlife observatory.

8. Old Wagon Trail is great for youngsters. It's flat for 0.8 mile and connects with Deer Run Trail which is more difficult.

Hiking Trail Descriptions - Open to hikers only

9. Nature Trail is an easy 1.2 mile loop. The self-guided nature trail was developed by Friends of the Park.

10. Ore Mine Trail is a hilly 1.5 mile loop with a scenic wooden bridge.

11. Sink Holes Trail is a 0.6 mile loop that runs by seven limestone sink holes.

12. Point Lookout Trail is a 1.2 mile loop. After climbing a long steep hill, there is a scenic overlook 400 feet above Cherokee Lake.

13. Ridge Crest Trail descends 0.7 mile to Cherokee Lake. It's steep - and so is the climb back.

Contact the park if you need more information on the trails.
Bicycling
The park offers over 30 miles of trails, suitable for both beginner and experienced cyclists.

Mountain biking enthusiasts will appreciate the challenging terrain on some routes.

Less strenuous paths are available too, perfect for leisurely rides or family outings.

Remember to always wear a helmet when cycling in this area due to uneven surfaces and potential obstacles.

Please note that all bikers must adhere strictly to trail rules as well as respect other users' rights-of-way.

Biking after dark is not permitted; ensure you finish your ride before sunset.

Rental bikes aren't provided within the premises so visitors should bring their own equipment along with them.
Birding
The park offers birding opportunities with over 200 species spotted, including the Bald Eagle and Osprey. Other notable sightings include Red-tailed Hawks, American Goldfinches, Eastern Bluebirds and various waterfowl. Birdwatchers can explore several trails for different habitats like forests or lakeshores.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 12 Awesome Experience by Jessica Rosenthal
park review stars; one to five My four children and I visited Panther Creek last year. They made great friends with the park staff and Rangers. All people we encounterd were so knowledgeable and willing to make it the best experience ever for my family. They went above and beyond on a canoe trip we took with them as our guides. It is still a high light of our trips ever. I have great pictures I would love to share of the park, BEST place ever, thanks to the WONDERFUL staff and rangers!
June 18 the trails here are breathtaking
park review stars; one to five Since the first time i came here, I have been in love with the park.Great place for family or romantic getaway. nice clean park with spectacular views!
October 23 Family Fun
park review stars; one to five I live near Panther Creek and have always enjoyed going there. They have pavilions you can rent for anything you need it for. Lots of people use them for birthday parties. If you are just visiting and want to have a picnic, there are picnic tables set up (free). One thing that this website does not include is the horseback trails. They have two(2) trails designed just for horses. One runs right by the magnificient lake! There is a horse trailer parking lot that has a connecter trail to the two trails. The only thing required is a proof of negative coggins. It is a great place to have lots of fun!
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Area Campgrounds
Fanchers Willow Branch Campground
2528 Round House Road
Dandridge, TN
865-397-3510
Card'Nal Cove Resort
1025 Card'Nal Cove Road
Rutedge, TN
865-828-5300
Area Cabins and Lodges
Lake N Lodge
2237 Peninsula Dr
Jefferson City, TN
(865) 397-9007
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
From East on I-40 travel through Knoxville and take Exit 394 (Hwy. 11E North). This is about 35 miles from the park and Morristown.

From South on I-81 take Exit 12 (Hwy 160). Travel North on 160 to Hwy. 11E, turn right and then take the next left. The park is approximately 2.5 miles on the right.From Gatlinburg, get on I-40 East and take Exit 417 (Hwy. 92). Travel toward Jefferson City. At the light, turn right (Hwy. 11E North). Travel to Morristown and Panther Creek State Park.

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Tennessee
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Tennessee State Parks

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