At the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, with the vibrant town of Knoxville to the south and the Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area to the north, Norris Lake is one of the more popular recreational destinations in Tennessee. The lake’s 800 miles of coastline are studded with several state parks, small communities, bars and restaurants, and more than 20 marinas with boat rentals available. Rent a boat from one of the local outfitters, and you can explore various coves and bays by motorboat, kayak, or canoe. After a busy afternoon on Norris Lake, you can enjoy a meal from one of the floating or waterfront restaurants, many of which offer boat parking and live music.

The northwestern regions of Tennessee have a varied and temperate climate, with distinct seasons and moderate changes in weather throughout the year. Summers on the lake are hot and humid, with occasional rainfall and long sunny days that are excellent for getting in and on the lake. If you’re traveling during this time, you may want to check out the Fire on the Water Fourth of July Festival, a fireworks display on the lake’s western shores.

The shoulder seasons are great times to visit as the crisp temperatures make for excellent hiking weather through the adjacent Big Ridge State Park and Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area. The fall is the most visually stunning time of year, with autumn hues of orange and red decorating the rolling landscape surrounding the lake. The winters can get quite cold — though they rarely reach freezing temperatures — with roughly the same overall levels of precipitation found in the summer.

Museum of Appalachia

The Museum of Appalachia is a 65-acre recreation of a pioneer-era village and one of the area’s most expansive and detailed historical sites. You’ll find dozens of historically accurate structures here such as barns, schools, and cabins — along with hundreds of thousands of artifacts, including instruments, textiles, and art — from pioneer settlements and regional Indigenous tribes.

Big Ridge State Park

More than a dozen miles of hiking trails wind among dense hickory forests, along meandering streams, and through lush valleys in this state park along the southern shores of Norris Lake. You can cool off from a long hike by swimming at the beaches here, or make use of the many public sporting courts and facilities.

Paddling on the Lake

Motorized watercraft are the most popular kind of boat on Norris Lake, but exploring the coasts with a kayak or paddleboard provides a unique way to experience the area. Hundreds of coves and inlets around the lake — most only accessible by water — house dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, and secluded beaches. Paddling your way around the sights allows you to access several inlets too small for larger motorboats to enter, creating a truly intimate and tranquil experience on the lake.