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Norris Dam State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,610 Google reviews · Running trail in Rocky Top, Tennessee · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Norris Dam State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Rental cabins & campsites offer housing for visitors who fish, boat & ski in the reservoir.
What runners say about Norris Dam State Park
“First time visiting got the CCC HISTORICAL CABIN they were built in 1930's and very well maintained our experience here will be unforgettable.”
“The Dam was neat to look at, and the trails were nice with fall colors and great views since the trees are thinning out.”
Norris Dam State Park is a great place to spend the day enjoying historic buildings and nature. The dam is surrounded by woodlands in the valley and up on top of the cliffs. The Dam was built by CCC personnel, and the remaining pieces of their camps are in the woods.
Nice older campground. Campground has two, a east and a west. We stayed in the east. Bathroom was dated but clean. Grounds were clean . Drove through the west and it was packed in preparation of Halloween festivities. Lots of trails and history in the area. Plenty to explore. Would recommend the campground.
The dam is a gorgeous place to visit. There are boat rentals (booking needed for motor boats but not for kayak or canoe), the dam on which you can walk and take many amazing photos, and the state park which has benches and BBQs. There are also cottages to rent in the park!
Clean trails. Camped here at West Campground for 2 days. Well worth the money! Very quiet. Bathrooms were really nice with Air Conditioning after the trip to Florida, it was a welcome relief. Beware that some of the sites have steep drops & RV campers really need to be prepared for the switch-back curves.
Trail conditions & character
“The Dam was neat to look at, and the trails were nice with fall colors and great views since the trees are thinning out.”
“Plenty of playgrounds for kids to play on, clean bathrooms, nice bath houses, and reasonable prices for primative, improved, or cabins.”
“Horse trails, walking trails and dog friendly as long as their on a leash and picked up after.”
Plan your run at Norris Dam State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitetnstateparks.com
- Phone+1 888-867-2757
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–4 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–4 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–4 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–4 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–4 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–4 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–4 pm |
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