Norris offers fun at the lake and a fascinating historical past. Only a few miles from Norris Lake and Big Ridge State Park, this town boasts a playground for nature lovers.
Norris has a rich past, built as a planned community to house workers building the first Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dam. Norris Museum explores the history of the dam and the progressive community modeled after the English garden city movement with winding roads and all-electric houses crafted of local wood and stone. Delving further into the past is the Norris Dam State Park Lenoir Museum with early Appalachian and Native American artifacts, a gristmill and a threshing barn. Nearby, the 2,400-acre Norris Municipal Watershed offers numerous trails for hiking, horseback riding and biking. The Museum of Appalachia tells the stories of Southern Appalachian mountain folk through hisotirc buildings, artifacts, food and song.
Holidays and seasonal changes in Norris are high times full of tradition. In December, Norris Dam hosts a Holiday Homecomng, where the rustic cabin area becomes a winter holiday village. In spring, guided wildflower hikes are available at Norris Dam State Park with the identification, natural history and folklore of more than 30 different kinds of wildflowers.
Norris Dam State Park has 4,038 acres, room for campsites, a swimming pool, miles of hiking trails. The park is best known for its clean, clear water and boating, skiing, fishing and hiking. Birdwatchers, take note. Osprey have been sighted high above in the trees. Spot great blue heron on the shoreline, where bald eagles have set up residence. Norris Dam Marina is in a picturesque setting flanked by the dam and a towering limestone cliff jutting from the water. Rent a pontoon boat or speedboat for the day or week and luxury houseboats for the week. Go kayaking or try a stand-up paddleboat.
The ultimate waterway and the perfect vacation destination, beautiful Norris Lake extends 56 miles up the Powell River and 72 miles up the Clinch River. It’s surrounded by the majestic mountains of East Tennessee. With 34,000 acres, 800 miles of shoreline and 15 miles of wooded trails, Norris has the perfect campsite or secluded cove waiting for you.
