Lots to do at and near Norris Lake

BY JASON DAVIS

Nature lovers vacationing at Norris Lake have many opportunities nearby to feed their need for outdoor recreation.

With several state parks, a national historical park, and a national river and recreation area within an hour or so, visitors and residents can find a variety of activities within close proximity to Norris.

• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, located just 40 miles northwest of LaFollette, offers spectacular scenic views and a healthy dose of pioneer history.

Called "the first doorway to the west" Cumberland Gap provided a major break in the Appalachain Mountain chain. That passageway allowed hundreds of thousands of early settlers passage to the west.

Visitors to the park can enjoy self-guided hikes, the visitor's center and museum, or ranger-guided tours of the Gap Cave or Hensley Settlement -- an isolated family settlement from the early 20th century.

Call the park at 606-248-2817 or visit http://www.nps.gov/cuga/for more information.

• Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area, a 125,000 acre facility located roughly 50 miles northeast of LaFollette, provides excellent opportunities for camping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting and fishing, while showcasing some of Tennessee's most scenic natural beauty.

Pristine streams, towering cliffs, deep gorges and the impressive natural "Twin Arches" -- two sandstone arches that stand near 100 feet high and form Tennessee's largest natural bridge -- are just a few of the interesting sights at Big South Fork.

Call (423) 286-7275 or visit http://www.nps.gov/biso/ for more information.

• Norris Dam State Park, just 18 miles south of LaFollette in Norris, displays Appalachian heritage with a restored gristmill, which was built in the 1790 to grind corn. The park also has the dam, which was built in 1933 as the first Tennessee Valley Authority project and supplied energy for much of the Tennessee Valley.

Norris Dam State Park also offers 19 rustic cabins and 10 three-bedroom deluxe cabins.

• Cumberland Falls State Park near Corbin, Kentucky, offers breathtaking views of a 125-feet wide waterfall that dives 60 feet before splashing down to create a fine mist that envelopes the base of the falls -- creating the spectacular "moonbow" on clear moon-lit nights.

The park also offers a natural choice for whitewater rafting and canoeing -- down river of the falls of course.

• Cove Lake State Park in Caryville offers several opportunities for adventure for tourists.

The park, which has 100 campsites with water and electrical hookups, offers visitors 3.5 miles of paved hiking trails, 112 picnic tables, a swimming pool, three tennis courts, a privately-owned restaurant and a large meeting pavilion.

• Indian Mountain State Park, located just 26 miles north on I-75 in Jellico, is a unique park that was developed over a reclaimed strip mine.

The park features 49 RV camp sites with water, electric and a dumping station. All sites have picnic tables and grills are located throughout the campground.

• Big Ridge State Park, 32 miles east of LaFollette in Union County, offers not only pure natural beauty but programs five days a week throughout the summer, including guided hikes, movies, campfire programs, arts and crafts, nature programs and sports activities.

The park also offers a nature center, RV camping (50 sites) and backcountry camping with 15 miles of hiking trails.