Norris Dam State Park turned out to be the perfect home base for our 2 week stay in November. We camped in the East Campground, enjoying crisp fall weather while exploring nearby Oak Ridge and Knoxville. With miles of trails, a scenic lake, and plenty of history, this park has something for everyone- whether you’re into hiking, biking, boating, or just relaxing by the fire. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you go, plus our honest thoughts on staying here!
About Norris Dam State Park
125 Village Green Cir, Rocky Top, TN 37769
https://tnstateparks.com/parks/norris-dam
Norris Dam State Park, located in northern Tennessee, is a scenic and historic park centered around Norris Dam, the first project of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The park spans 4,000 acres and is known for its beautiful views, outdoor recreation, and connections to Tennessee history. With over 800 miles of shoreline, there’s plenty of recreation opportunities both on and off the water.
Camping at Norris Dam State Park
Whether you’re pitching a tent, pulling in an RV, or looking for a cozy cabin retreat, Norris Dam State Park has plenty of options to make your stay as comfortable, or as rugged, as you want it to be. With two developed campgrounds, backcountry sites, and a variety of cabins (including historic CCC-built options), there’s a spot for every kind of camper.
East Side Campground
If you like a mix of history and nature, East Side Campground is a great choice. Located right outside the park’s historic district, established in the late 1930s by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this campground offers 25 sites with water and electric hookups. Keep in mind that sites 4-25 sit under TVA powerlines, so expect a mix of full and partial sun.
For tent campers looking for a more secluded experience, the 10 primitive sites tucked into a shady forested area offer a peaceful retreat- just know that these don’t have hookups.
West Side Campground
We weren’t able to check out the West Side Campground since it was closed for renovations in fall 2024 and spring 2025, but once it reopens, it’ll have 50 campsites with water and electric, plus three paved accessible sites. If you’re planning a stay here, it’s worth looking into what new features have been added!
Backcountry Camping
For those craving a little adventure, Norris Dam State Park has three backcountry sites that let you escape into nature:
- Site 1 sits above Norris Lake and can fit two small tents (max capacity: 4 people)
- Site 2, located along Lakeview Trail, is a bit smaller, fitting just one tent (max capacity: 4 people)
- Site 3 sits at the tops of Andrews Ridge and can hold up to three tents (max capacity: 6 people). It has a stone fire ring and offers a quiet, backcountry setting
Both Sites 1 and 2 have fire rings with grill attachments and a level spot for tents. You’ll start your trek at Camp Kinchen parking area, and if you’re doing the round-trip hike to both sites, expect to cover about 11.5 miles.
Cabins at Norris Dam State Park
For those who prefer a solid roof over their heads, Norris Dam State Park has a variety of cabins, from modern comforts to historic charm.
Standard Cabins
These three-bedroom cabins are available year-round and range from $140 to $291 per night. Each one includes:
- Queen bed with linens
- Full-size pullout couch
- Kitchen with cooking and eating utensils
- Living room, dining area, bathroom
- Gas fireplace, central heat & A/C, TV, microwave
- Small porch, picnic table, grill, and fire pit
- A few key details:
Pet-friendly cabins are limited to Cabins 21, 28, 29, and 30 ($20/night pet fee) - Cabins 22 and 25 are wheelchair-friendly, with Cabin 25 featuring a roll-in shower
- Two-night minimum stay, with check-in at 3 PM and check-out at 10 AM
Historic CCC Cabins
History lovers will appreciate the 19 historic cabins built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). These charming cabins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and range from $105 to $234 per night.
Each cabin includes:
- Living area, kitchenette, bedroom (some have a separate bedroom off the porch)
- Bathroom with a stand-up shower
- TV, A/C & heat, picnic table, grill, fire pit
- Cooking and eating utensils, linens
- A few things to note:
Cabins 6, 11, and 17 have 3-4 steps leading up to the stone landing with no handrail due to their historic design - Pet-friendly options include Cabins 6, 10, 11, 12, and 15
- Two-person cabins have a full-size bed, while four-person cabins have two full-size beds (including kids)
- Cabin 1 is wheelchair-friendly
- Two-night minimum stay, with check-in at 3 PM and check-out at 10 AM
Historic Cottage
For a one-of-a-kind stay, the Historic Cottage offers a spacious and comfortable retreat with a touch of history. Originally built by the CCC in the 1930s as the park superintendent’s residence, it overlooks the historic district on the east side of the park.
For $160 to $455 per night, you get:
- Three bedrooms (one with two full-size beds, one with a single full-size bed, and one with a queen bed)
- Living room with a wood-burning fireplace Formal dining room
- Fully equipped kitchen and laundry room
- Back porch with Adirondack chairs
- Flat-screen TV, gas heat, and A/C
A few things to keep in mind:
- No pets allowed
- Three-night minimum stay
- Check-in at 3 PM, check-out at 10 AM
Camping Amenities at Norris Dam State Park
Camping at Norris Dam State Park isn’t just about the campsites- you’ve got plenty of amenities to make your stay even better. Whether you need to clean up, stock up, or just explore a little, the park has you covered.
First things first, each campground has a dump station, so RVers don’t have to worry about where to take care of business. Every campsite comes with a picnic table, grill, and fire pit, so you can cook up some campfire meals and enjoy the outdoors. And when you need to freshen up, each campground has a bathhouse with showers and restrooms. If you’re staying a while and need to do some laundry, there’s a seasonal laundromat next to the park office.
Need supplies? There are 4 gift shop options at Norris Dam:
- The Norris Dam State Park Canteen has seasonal hours and carries a mix of snacks, accessories, and camping gear (you’ll find the camp store on the west side)
- The Visitors Center Gift Shop (west side, open 8 AM – 4 PM) has a little bit of everything—maps, souvenirs, and info on the park
- The Gristmill Gift Shop (seasonal) has maps, park info, and souvenirs
- The Lenoir Museum Gift Shop (open Wed-Sun, 9 AM – 5 PM) is the best spot for history buffs, with books about the area’s past and more souvenirs
Norris Dam Camping Costs
Camping at Norris Dam State Park is pretty affordable. Standard campsites are around $30 per night on weekdays and $32–$33 on weekends. If you’re going for a more rustic experience, primitive tent sites cost $18–$19 per night, and backcountry sites are just $10 per night. Exact pricing varies depending on season and site location
Discounts are available for active military, Tennessee state employees, and retirees, ranging from 25–50% off. Prices can vary depending on the site and the season, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest rates before booking.
Camping Rules and Policies
Here’s what you need to know before booking your stay at Norris Dam State Park:
- Stay Limits: Max stay is 14 nights during peak season and 28 nights in the off-season
- Occupancy: Each site allows one RV or two tents, with a max of six people per site
- Check-in/Check-out: Check-in is at 4 PM, and check-out is by 12 PM
- Quiet Hours: Keep it down from 10 PM to 6 AM so everyone can enjoy a good night’s sleep.
- Golf Carts: Allowed only on paved roads within campgrounds, and you’ll need a valid driver’s license to operate one
Reservation & Cancellation Policies
- Reservations come with a non-refundable $5 fee
- Cancellations:
- Cancel two or more days before arrival → Full refund minus the $5 fee
- Cancel one day before arrival → Lose the first night’s fee, taxes, and the $5 fee
- Cancel same day (for two or more nights) → Lose the first two nights’ fees, taxes, and the $5 fee
Our Review of Norris Dam State Park East Side Campground
We chose Norris Dam State Park because of its proximity to Oak Ridge and Knoxville, TN. We visited in November, and it was after the TVA campgrounds had closed for the season so we were more limited on options. At the time of our visit, the West Side Campground was closed for renovations so we had no choice but to stay in the East Side. From what we saw online, the West Side looks nicer.
The East Side Campground is small, with minimal amenities, but had nice falls colors and was quiet and peaceful. The campground is built on a decent size hill, so driving in and out be aware of that. It also meant we had a hill to walk up to get to the showerhouse, which was kind of annoying. Speaking of the showerhouse, it at least had locking stall doors, but definitely needs some updates and repainted. The dump station is near the showerhouse and while it was easy to use, it was in an awkward spot and we accidentally blocked someone in who was parked at the showerhouse.
Our campsite was on the outer edge and had woods on 2 sides with really nice views. We had a decent sizes gravel area with our picnic table and fire pit before it dropped off into a hill. We had enough room for our rig and for Josh’s dad to park his truck in the site when he came to visit us.
Norris Dam East Side Campground Drive-Through Tour
Things to Do at Norris Dam State Park
There’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors (and a little history) at Norris Dam State Park! Whether you’re into hiking, biking, fishing, or just soaking in the scenery, there’s something for everyone.
Lenoir Museum & Historic Sites
History buffs, this one’s for you! The Lenoir Museum (free admission, open Wednesday–Sunday, 9 AM–5 PM) houses an incredible collection of early Americana, all gathered over 60 years by Will G. Lenoir and his wife, Helen.
The museum complex also includes:
- Caleb Crosby Threshing Barn – Originally stood along the Holston River before being relocated due to flooding from Cherokee Dam. It was taken apart and stored for 34 years before being reconstructed in 1978!
- 18th Century Rice Grist Mill – Built in 1798, this mill was run by four generations of the Rice family. Over the years, it also served as a sawmill, cotton gin, and even provided electric lighting for the Rice family home
Outdoor Activities
- Mountain Biking – Ride 22 miles of multi-use trails across 11 different routes
- Boating – Head to Norris Dam Marina for boat rentals (pontoon & houseboats) or use the free boat launch if you’re staying in the campground or cabins (just show your receipt)
- Hiking – There are 20 trails (10 on the west side, 10 on the east side), ranging from 0.5 to 5 miles and covering all difficulty levels. Trail descriptions here
- Fishing – Norris Dam creates a 34,000-acre lake known for bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) and trout fishing below the dam. You’ll also find striped bass, walleye, and crappie thanks to regular stocking
- Birding – Bring your binoculars! Waterfowl, osprey, and bald eagles frequent the lake. Top birding spots include Hootin Hollow Trail, Marine Railway Trail, Elkins Trail, and Lakeview Trail
- Horseback Riding – You can hit the trails on horseback on Camp Sam, Lake View Trail, Lakeside Loop, and Highpoint Trail (about 8–9 miles total)
- Ranger Programs & Events – The park hosts guided hikes, boat tours, live music, and educational programs at the museum. Check the schedule when you visit!
There’s plenty to keep you busy- whether you want to hit the trails, get out on the water, or just relax and enjoy the scenery.
Things to Do Near Norris Dam State Park
Check out our full 2 week itinerary for East Tennessee here:
