Nearby Norris Lake can provide an ideal setting for recreation on the water. This beautiful lake is a popular reservoir in East Tennessee where the mountains meet the water. With over 800 miles of shoreline, there’s plenty of room to stretch your water legs and participate in your favorite outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating, watersports, camping/picnicking by the water, or simply enjoying the picturesque shoreline and surrounding natural beauty.
The lake extends approximately 56 miles up the Powell River and about 73 miles up the Clinch River, as well as into the five Tennessee counties of Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, and Union. The reservoir was created with the construction of Norris Dam by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which began in 1933 across the Clinch River primarily for flood control. As the first project built by the TVA, the dam was completed in 1936 featuring a height of 265 feet and a length of 1,860 feet. The town of Norris was a planned community built to house construction workers and their families, and it became a model for other similar communities throughout the nation.
The picturesque lake is nestled in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains about 20 miles north of Knoxville just off I-75, and it boasts 809 miles of shoreline and 33,840 acres (about 53 square miles) of water surface. Its size solidifies it as the largest reservoir on a tributary of the Tennessee River. The water level varies about 29 feet from summer to winter with normal annual rainfall amounts. With its hundreds of secluded coves, three parks, numerous camping options, 50+ islands, several marinas, and dozens of public access sites, Norris Lake has established itself as a favored vacation destination for locals and out-of-towners alike.
Discover the vacation spot where memories are made. Book your visit to Norris Lake today!