Panther Creek State Park a great spot to start a regional vacation
Photographs by park ranger Cade Norris
Lots of Tennessee’s state parks are located in rural areas, offering peace and quiet and natural wonder. But at Panther Creek State Park, situated adjacent to Morristown and within view of housing developments, you can still find all those things while being close to a small city.
In fact, according to Park Manager Jason Chadwell, 1,400-plus-acre Panther Creek has one of the most impressive trail systems in all of Tennessee’s state parks. The park has 17 trails that stretch a total of 28 miles, many of them affording views of the beautiful Cumberland Mountains and Cherokee Lake. There are approximately 10 miles of trail designated for horseback riding and another 10 miles designated for mountain biking (horses and bikes must be kept separate). Hikers, however, are not restricted to any trails; they have access to and can use the entire 28-mile trail system.
“The trail system at Panther Creek is the biggest attraction for visitors,” Chadwell says.
Rich with wildlife
Despite not being far away from more populated areas, the park is still home to many types of animals. During Chadwell’s 22 years at Panther Creek, some of his fondest memories are actually encounters with wildlife.
“My first recollection of seeing American bald eagles in the wild occurred shortly after I began working at Panther Creek,” Chadwell says. “I was patrolling along the park road on top of Hunt Knob in the area where the Smallman Shelter is located when I noticed several folks looking and pointing toward the sky. Curious, I exited my vehicle, and looking, up I saw, circling approximately 100 feet above me, two bald eagles. They were gliding on the air current like vultures often do. They were so close and so beautiful. They circled a few times then flew off in the direction of Cherokee Dam. On another occasion, I was walking along the Pioneer Trail at dusk. I was in a heavily wooded area, and looking up, I saw a barred owl flying among the branches and limbs. The ease and speed with which the bird navigated those obstacles and also that it flew without making the slightest noise whatsoever were truly fascinating.
“Finally, I oftentimes see red foxes when closing Hunt Knob at night. I remember on one occasion, as I approached in my vehicle, a fox began running in the woods just off the roadway. As I traveled slowly along the road, the fox was running in the wood line in front of my vehicle. It would dip farther back into the woods, and I would lose sight of it for a moment, but then it would reappear. I followed and observed the fox for approximately a quarter mile before it finally descended the ridge and did not reappear. It was an amazing thing to observe.”
Start here, go there
Panther Creek’s location makes it a good starting point for visiting several parks — state and national alike. Within close driving distance are Cove Lake, Norris Dam, Big Ridge and Seven Islands state parks as well as Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Before you venture forth from Panther Creek, however, make time to explore all the park has to offer.
The aforementioned trails provide hours of outdoor enjoyment and glimpses of the park’s furry and feathered residents. Panther Creek also participates in the annual hike events along with all other Tennessee state parks. These signature hikes include First Day Hike (Jan. 1), Spring Hike, National Trails Day Hike and Day After Thanksgiving Hike.
The campground at Panther Creek is consistently rated one of the best in the Tennessee State Parks system. The 50-site campground features two modern bathhouses with laundry rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi access, two covered pavilions and a seasonal camp store. Sites include grills, fire rings, picnic tables, water hookups and 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical service. Nine sites feature sewer hookups while a dump station is conveniently located adjacent to the campground to provide service for other campers. The park also has a group camp that can accommodate up to 100 people.
If you like playing or would like to try out disc golf, visit the park’s 18-hole, professional level disc golf course. It has served as a course used during the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championship since 2017.
With the park’s location being next to 30,000-acre Cherokee Lake, there are abundant opportunities to enjoy water recreation such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and water skiing.
For the kids
You can enjoy a picnic while your kids or grandkids play on the climbers, slides and swings at the park’s playground.
Panther Creek was also one the first parks to host a Junior Ranger Camp beginning in 2007. This is an annual day camp held in June for area youth between the ages of 10 and 14. The camp is divided into theme days that include Outdoor Skills Day, Nature Study Day, Aquatic Day, Conservation Day and Graduation Day. During Junior Ranger Camp, children learn land navigation, canoeing and water safety skills, shelter building, wilderness survival and stream monitoring. They also observe and learn about park wildlife and participate in several hikes and a conservation project.
Connection to the past
It’s always interesting to learn about a place’s history. Like much of what became the United States, Native Americans occupied this area prior to the arrival of Europeans. The Panther Springs community, in which the park is located, is one of the oldest white settlements in Hamblen County. Pioneers, most of whom were Scots-Irish, German and English, migrated to the area from North Carolina and the Watauga Settlement in East Tennessee in about 1785.
“Prior to the establishment of the park, much of the land on which the park is now located was used for farming,” Chadwell says. “Cultural artifacts such as springhouses, family cemeteries and the remnants of homes and barns remain within the park.”
Positive improvements
Chadwell says the best parts of being the park manager at Panther Creek are “the actions I am able to take to improve the park (planting wildflower fields, assisting with development of the new recreation lodge and playground, upgrading trail signage, etc.) and then being able to see our visitors use and enjoy those improved facilities and resources.”
Panther Creek State Park
For more information, visit the park’s website at tnstateparks.com/parks/panther-creek or call the office at 423-587-7046.
