Norris Dam State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Norris Dam is the pilot project that served as a model for the Tennessee Valley Authority series of dams. Built in 1956, the dam created Norris Reservoir, a 53,875-square-mile lake with 809 miles of shoreline. Norris Dam State Park occupies a small section of that immense shoreline near the dam itself. The park is in two sections, with the eastern portion being the oldest, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. The west portion, developed in the 1970s, includes a modern campground, a boat ramp, a marina, the Lenoir Museum Cultural Complex, and hiking trails. Norris, TN, which was created to house and maintain workers constructing the dam during the 1930s, is the nearest community, with larger towns and cities like Knoxville and Oak Ridge not far off.
Spring 38-78 F
Summer 63-87 F
Fall 37-81 F
Winter 29-52 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Norris Dam State Park
Using an RV to camp at Norris Dam State Park is the most comfortable way to enjoy a stay at one of Tennessee's premier campgrounds. There are so many things to see and do at the park that days fill quickly. Returning to the comfort provided by an RV at the end of an eventful day helps a family relax and get ready for the planned events that fill the next day. Check out RVshare to find the best RV for your needs.
Norris Dam State Park Campground
Norris Dam State Park Campground offers 75 back-in RV campsites. Rigs up to 40 feet in length are welcome in the campground. The park features added amenities like a swimming pool, a boat ramp for lake access, a marina, a museum, and many hiking trails that overlook the lake. A playground and outdoor ball courts give kids plenty of space to expend pent-up energy. The fishing on the lake is legendary, with striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, and trout providing the most fun for avid anglers.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: No, but a dump station is on the site
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables
Fee: $21 to $40 per night
Mountain Lake Marina and Campground
Mountain Lake Marina and Campground provide access to 168 RV campsites, 19 of which are pull-throughs. Each campsite is 20 feet in width and 40 feet in length. The campground supports a swimming pool, a wading pool, a playground, a boat ramp, and a marina. Visitors can launch boats up to 38 feet in length at the ramp. For those without boats, there is a concessionaire that rents boats, kayaks, and canoes. The campground is partially ADA accessible. During the peak seasons, the campground provides a restaurant and ice cream shop.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, fire rings, picnic tables, dump station, laundry facilities
Fee: $35 to $45 per night
Volunteer Park RV Campground
Volunteer Park RV Campground offers 124 RV campsites, of which 85 are available for temporary visits. Thirty-five of the temporary sites have pull-through capability. Each campsite is 24 feet wide and 50 feet long. The campground supports a swimming pool and a wading pool. A playground, basketball court, and horseshoe pits are available for family fun. Most of the sites are shaded. A rec hall provides indoor entertainment with pool tables, a game arcade, and a foosball table. The camp store keeps plenty of RV supplies in storage, along with ice, firewood, and groceries. Metered LP gas is available at the store, and a self-service RV wash is next door. Cable TV is piped into each campsite.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, fire rings, picnic tables, laundry facility, dump station
Fee: $40 to $45 per night
What to Do at
Norris Dam State Park
Inside Norris Dam State Park
Norris Dam State Park provides 15 trails ranging from 0.5 miles to five miles in length that vary in intensity from easy to difficult. Five of the tracks are shared with horseback riders, and 11 are available to mountain bikers. These trails travel along ridgetops, dip into hollows, and run beside the lakeshore, providing excellent birding and wildlife observation platforms that draw visitors to this park. The lake gives visitors the option to enjoy water sports, fish, or simply run the reservoir for its fun. The Lenoir Museum Cultural Center provides personal information on early settlers' work and living conditions in the Norris Lake region.
How to Get to
Norris Dam State Park
The nearest significant city to Norris Dam State Park is Knoxville, TN. To approach Norris Dam State Park from Knoxville, get onto Interstate 275 North (I-275 N) and go for 1.1 miles. Continue straight to merge onto Interstate 75 North (I-75 N). Stay on I-75 N for 20 miles until you reach Exit 128. Take exit 128 to the right to get onto United States Highway 441 (US-441). Travel on US-441 for 6.9 miles, then turn left onto Village Green Circle. Follow Village Green Circle for 0.5 miles until you reach Norris Dam State Park.
Entering Norris Dam State Park
Norris Dam State Park is a day-use area that is open from dawn to dusk.
Norris Dam State Park Entry fee : $0.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Norris Dam State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Norris Dam State Park
Norris Dam State Park can be very warm and humid during the summer months, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 85 degrees. There is also steady rainfall throughout the year, but the winters tend to be mild.
For the most comfortable conditions, the best times to visit Norris Dam State Park are the months of April, May, September, and October. These months will feature weather that's warm and quite pleasant for outdoor recreation.
You'll have a great chance of spotting interesting wildlife in Norris Dam State Park. The area is inhabited by species like great blue herons, raccoons, skunks, opossums, red foxes, coyotes, and bobcats.
Norris Dam State Park features a wonderful campground with 75 back-in RV campsites. The RV campsites are equipped with electric and water hookups and can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length.
When visiting Norris Dam State Park, you're more than welcome to bring your pets along. However, you must always keep them on leashes and consistently clean up after them.