Big Ridge State Park is a perfect example of the ridge and valley topography that makes up most of East Tennessee. These ridges in the park are surrounded on all sides by Norris Lake.
All this together makes for a great place to hike — great for the beginner hiker as well as the experienced.
Several trails will take hikers for a variety of hikes. With a total of 15 miles of trails, hikers can hike all day and see most of the park or can get in a shorter stroll around Big Ridge State Park Lake. The trail marked “Lake Trail” will take hikers around Big Ridge Lake. If you park in any location and hike around the little park lake you will have hiked three miles. For those folks training for a 5K race the lake trail is the ideal distance for such training.
As people are being encouraged to social distance, activities like hiking have seen an increase. Many have discovered Big Ridge as they look for new places to hike and avoid the crowds at the ever-so-popular Great Smoky Mountains. Even with the increase of hikers Big Ridge’s trails have not felt crowded.
Many attractions to Big Ridge’s trails keep hikers coming back. Besides the great views of the water from many of the trails, the area is rich in history and has a diverse ecosystem. The park’s land was once the forefront of the American frontier.
That same land that had been once tamed for farmland is almost completely wild again with only faint evidence of those who once lived here.
The park currently has three backcountry camping spots. These designated areas for camping are truly backcountry. You have to hike to access these camping spots. When I mean hike, I mean far enough that you are going to have to carry everything with you. We encourage a “Leave No Trace” philosophy for those in our backcountry.
If this is a hobby that you might be interested in, Big Ridge is a great place to give it a try. The Dark Hollow West camping site is just about a mile to access and not hard to find.
Park Ranger Hannah Paschall offers backpacking classes and trips in the spring of the year for female hikers interested in backcountry camping. This program is called Women in the Wilderness and includes helpful tips and instruction to beginner female hikers.
Follow Big Ridge State Park on Facebook to keep up with opportunities and dates like Women in the Wilderness as well as the many other events and things going on at the park or contact the park office at 865-992-5523.
Park hiking maps can be downloaded from the tnstatepark.com website or you can get one at the park office before hitting the trails. Remember to be smart when hiking and always let someone know you are going out on the trails and when they should expect you back. Good footwear is recommended.
Always have water and a map along with any other essentials you may need while on the trails.
We want folks to enjoy the trails while being safe.