Panther Creek Park in Tennessee: Trails, Camping and Visitor Guide

Panther Creek Park, officially Panther Creek State Park, is an outdoor area of about 1,444 acres on the shore of Cherokee Lake near Morristown, Tennessee. It offers roughly 28 miles of trails, a 50-site campground, an 18-hole disc golf course and a busy boat ramp, and it sits about an hour north of Knoxville. This guide explains what to do, what has changed and what to confirm before you drive.

The facts below come from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee State Parks, local tourism offices and Tennessee news outlets. Rules, fees and construction schedules change, so please confirm anything important on the official park page before your trip.

Quick Facts at a Glance

Here is the short version for trip planning. Hours and fees come from Visit Morristown, and the size and trail figures come from the state's 2023 to 2033 management plan.

Key facts about the park near Morristown, Tennessee

Where Is Panther Creek Park and How Do You Get There?

The park sits about six miles west of Morristown in the Hamblen County community of Panther Springs. It lies on Cherokee Lake, a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reservoir on the Holston River. Visitors usually reach it from US 11E, and TN-342 ends inside the park, according to Wikipedia. A local TV feature describes the park as an hour north of Knoxville.

The state's own plan lists visitors to and from the Great Smoky Mountains, plus residents of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Knoxville, Jefferson City, Greeneville and Morristown, as its main markets. The same plan reports 485,680 visitors in fiscal year 2022, so weekends can be busy.

A Short History of the Park

The park was officially established on August 10, 1967, after TVA arranged the transfer of 947 acres to the State of Tennessee. The state bought more land the following year, bringing the total to 1,444 acres. Facilities were then built in three phases between 1970 and 1986.

A regional guidebook says the name comes from a story about an early explorer, Colonel Bradley, who claimed to have shot a panther that fell into a spring. Treat that as local lore rather than a documented fact. The park's interpretive themes include Native Americans, long hunters, early settlers, mining, farming communities and the Civil War, and you can still find old springhouse foundations and house foundations in the woods.

Key moments in the history of the park

Best Trails at Panther Creek Park

The trail system is the main draw. A park ranger told WVLT it has 17 trails over about 28 miles, with eight miles for hiking only, ten for hiking and horseback riding, and ten for hiking and mountain biking. Some older pages say 30 or more miles, but the state's 2023 plan counts about 28, and its own trail table adds up to 26.59 miles. The highest point reaches about 1,460 feet, according to Visit Morristown.

Hiking is allowed on every trail. Horseback riding is limited to two trails, and mountain biking to eight, so check the posted signs at each trailhead.

The longest trails, using mileage from the state's 2023 plan

Lake Views and Overlooks

The state's plan identifies two scenic observation points. The first is about four tenths of a mile along the Point Lookout Trail, roughly 400 feet above the lake. The second is on Hunt Knob, beside the park road, and has an observation deck with signs. Together they look toward Cherokee Lake, Clinch Mountain and Poor Valley Ridge.

A few areas are not open to visitors. The two caves, the old graveyards, the house foundations and the six acres of native wildflower fields near the entrance all have no public access. Tri-colored bats have been seen in the caves, so please stay out and enjoy the park's open trails instead.

Mountain Biking and Horseback Riding

Mountain bikers share eight trails totaling about 10.2 miles with hikers, and riders on horseback have two trails totaling about 9.5 miles. The horse trailer parking lot is reached from TN-342 by a gravel road. The Five Rivers Cycling Club is listed as a local partner, and the park hosts roughly ten foot and bicycle races each year, so expect extra traffic on race weekends.

Camping at the Park

The campground has 50 sites with water, electric hookups, grills, picnic tables, fire rings and bathhouses, plus a laundromat. A ranger said the sites offer 20, 30 and 50 amp service and wifi, and the state's plan counts nine premium sites with sewer hookups. WVLT reports the campground is open year-round.

You can check availability and book on the Tennessee State Parks reservation page. Sites with sewer hookups are described in the state plan as frequently booked to capacity, so reserve early for weekends and holidays.

Disc Golf, Fishing and Boating

The park has a professional-grade 18-hole disc golf course. Hamblen County has hosted the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championship since 2017, and WVLT reports up to 400 players have used the course for that event.

Cherokee Lake is the main fishing and boating area, and the boat ramp is described in the state plan as highly popular. Panther Creek itself flows about a mile through the park before reaching the lake, and creek access is limited to stretches beside the Panther Path and Old Wagon trails. Anglers must follow Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) rules.

Family Activities, Playground and Pool Update

Families can use sand volleyball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, ball fields and five picnic shelters. The state plan also mentions six reservable venues for gatherings.

The old swimming pool is the big change. The 2023 plan says the pool will stay permanently closed and should be demolished. WBIR reported that the state plans a recreation building on the site, with a projected cost of about $12.6 million. The Citizen Tribune reported that the main parking lot near the former pool and the current playground is closing for construction, and that a new accessible playground should open by mid-2027, with the larger lodge taking longer. Do not plan a swim day, and expect part of that area to be a work zone.

Ranger Programs and Events

Rangers run summer programs such as night hikes, canoe trips and bird of prey talks, and the park keeps an aviary that includes a barred owl named Oliver. The park also joins the statewide signature hikes: the First Day Hike on January 1, a Spring Hike, a National Trails Day Hike and a Day After Thanksgiving Hike. Panther Creek was one of the first parks to host a Junior Ranger camp, starting in 2007.

Best Time to Visit

The park is open year-round, and camping continues through the cold months. Summer brings the ranger programs, while the signature hikes spread guided walks across the year. The forest is mostly oak, tulip poplar, hickory and maple, with dogwood and redbud along the edges, so spring and fall scenery is usually pleasant, though exact color timing varies.

Winter weather can close parts of the park. The Friends of Panther Creek page has posted notices that the boat ramp, the horse trailer lot and the overlook road were closed during icy conditions. Check the official page before you go.

Visitor Checklist Before You Go

A quick checklist for your day at the park

• Check alerts for closures, especially in icy weather.
• Reserve a campsite early if you plan to stay overnight.
• Carry water, wear trail shoes and download an offline map.
• Bring fishing gear only if you know the TWRA rules.
• Stay on marked trails and out of the caves.
• Plan to leave before dark, since the park closes at dusk.

The Other Park in Owensboro, Kentucky

The name is shared by a different park in Daviess County, Kentucky. According to the county, Panther Creek Park is at 5160 Wayne Bridge Road on the west side of Owensboro, near Kentucky Highway 81. A MapQuest listing says it was dedicated on April 20, 1992, with four screened-in shelters and three open-air pavilions. County pages describe wildlife such as squirrels, geese, turkeys and deer, and the Owensboro Times has reported trail closures for renovations.

There is also a Panther Creek Recreation Area in Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, which the Forest Service closed after Hurricane Helene damage. Check its alert page for the current status.

Plan a Bigger Road Trip

If you are building a longer trip, our guide to the best things to do in the USA for a family vacation has more ideas. Solo travelers can compare this park with the picks in our list of the top 10 places to solo travel in the USA. The mountain-town ideas in solo travel in Asheville, North Carolina are another option for a regional outdoors trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Official Links

• Tennessee State Parks: official park page
• Tennessee State Parks: camping reservations
• TDEC Strategic Management Plan 2023 to 2033
• Visit Morristown: park listing
• WVLT: Exploring Tennessee feature
• Citizen Tribune: lodge and playground update

This guide was researched on October 31, 2026. Check the official park page for closures and fees before you travel to Panther Creek Park.