State Park
Panther Creek State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- reserve.tnstateparks.com(423) 587-7046
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Hamblen County, about 6 miles west of Morristown, Panther Creek State Park covers about 1,304 acres.
Visitors come for golf, disc golf, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. The official site lists about 30 miles of trails. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include 2 camping areas, with RV sites, tent sites, and group camping.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Sat–Sun | 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Sat–Sun | 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Office Hours: M-F 8:30am - 4:00pm / Sat 8:30am - 3:00pm / Sun - Closed
Park Office Hours: M-F 8:30am - 4:00pm / Sat 8:30am - 3:00pm / Sun - Closed
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Tennessee State Parks reservation site (itinio platform) for camping, cabins, shelters, programs; some lodges/cabins via reseze.net; golf via foreUP
- Phone
- 1-888-867-2757 (888-TNPARKS)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs are permitted in the park and may accompany you during your stay.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Campground | — | — | |
| Group Campground | — | — |
Camping details from the park
With 50 campsites available at Panther Creek State Park, it's easy to gather the family and spend a night, or four, reconnecting with Mother Nature.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingFishingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingHikingBikingGolfDisc golf
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground Connector Trail | 0.2 mi | — | HikeNatural surface |
| Deer Run Trail | 0.8 mi | Hard | The Deer Run trail passes through cedar glades and pine stands and features a series of curves and short, gentle hills. This trail runs parallel to Cherokee Lake and is named for its similarity to a naturally winding white-tailed deer path. The Deer Run trail is used primarily as a connector trail between Panther Path and the Trout Lily trail.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Horse Connector Trail | 2.6 mi | Hard | HikeHorseNatural surface |
| Hunt Knob Trail | 3.8 mi | Hard | The 3.8-mile Hunt Knob trail is the longest trail in the park. This scenic trail follows the perimeter of Cherokee Lake 1.75-miles before ascending Hunt Knob ridge. The trail offers variety from easy, strait, gently sloping sections along the lakeshore to strenuous, hilly sections around Hunt Knob. NOTE: The Hunt Knob trail is accessible only from the horse trail parking area along a 1.6-mile connector trail. The total length of the Hunt Knob trail and the connector trail is 5.4-miles.HikeHorseNatural surface |
| Inner Old Farm Trail | 1.5 mi | Easy | HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Lost Road Trail | 1.9 mi | Hard | This scenic trail follows portions of the "goat paths" or crude roads traveled by settlers in the early 1900's. The Lost Road trail steeply ascends River Ridge, passing the remaining stone pile foundations and privy depressions of early home sites. This is an excellent trail for observing the park's largest mammal, the white-tailed deer.HikeNatural surface |
| Maple Arch Trail | 3.2 mi | Hard | HikeHorseNatural surface |
| Norris Blackburn Trail | 0.45 mi | Hard | The Norris Blackburn trail features a short, moderately steep ascent to the park's wildlife observation deck. This is an excellent location to hear owls in the early evening or observe migratory birds in the fields below. Hikers may also access the Hunt Knob and Old Wagon trails from this trail.HikeNatural surface |
| Old Wagon Trail | 1 mi | Easy | The Old Wagon Trail is the most popular trail at the park and is excellent for all ages and abilities. This trail follows the contour of Panther Creek and features a flat, wide gravel surface ideal for mountain bike, hike, or jogging. This is an excellent trail for the wildlife enthusiast, as many different birds and animals are frequently observed along the Old Wagon Trail in the early morning. Old Wagon Trail connects to Piney Cove and Deer Run trails for an extended ride.HikeMountain bikePaved surface |
| Ore Mine Trail | 1.3 mi | Hard | The Ore Mine trail is a moderately difficult, 1.3-mile trail loop, featuring a series of short, steep hills. This trail is named for manganese mining operations in the area during the early 1800's. Manganese is an important property in the production of steel and has long been related to glass making. The Egyptians and Romans used manganese ore to tint glass purple, pink and black.HikeNatural surface |
| Outer Old Farm Trail | 1 mi | Easy | Inner Loop - 1.00mi, Outer Loop - 1.50mi. The Old Farm trails are excellent for wildflower and bird viewing. The inner loop is flat and gently winds through cedar glades and bramble fields laden with blackberries during the summer months. The outer loop traverses open fields, hardwood and pine stands and eventually connects with the Pioneer trail.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Panther Path Trail | 0.9 mi | Easy | Panther Path is an easy 0.9-mile trial loop featuring a series of flat, gently curves and one steep ascent. This trail passes through open fields and shaded stands of hardwood, offering many captivating views of Panther Creek. Panther Path is an excellent trail choice for young bikers and beginning hikers. Panther Path is often combined with the Old Wagon trail to form a 1.9-mile trail loop.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Piney Cove Trail | 0.6 mi | Hard | The Piney Cove trail passes through stands of Virginia and White Pine and features a series of gentle curves and one short, steep ascent. Generally used as a connector trail between Panther Path and the Old Farm trails, the Piney Cove trail is an excellent choice for the novice mountain biker or hiker.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Pioneer Trail | 2.4 mi | Hard | The Pioneer trail is a moderately difficult 2.4-mile trail loop featuring a series of curves and short, steep hills. This trail winds through stands of Shortleaf Pine and Eastern Red Cedar trees then ascend into a community of mixed hardwood trees. This is an excellent trail for the wildlife enthusiast, as many different birds and animals are frequently observed along the Pioneer Trail.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Point Lookout Trail | 1.9 mi | Hard | The Point Lookout trail is a moderately difficult 1.9-mile trail loop steeply ascending to an elevation 400 feet above Lake Cherokee. Point Lookout is the highest elevation in the park at 1,460 feet above sea level. Along this trail, hikers are rewarded with a breath-taking view overlooking Lake Cherokee. Hikers may access the Lake Trail at the lower end of the Point Lookout Trail.HikeNatural surface |
| Ridge Crest Trail | 0.7 mi | Hard | The Ridge Crest trail is a very difficult 0.7-mile trail steeply descending along Hunt Knob ridge to the lakeshore below. Hikers may access Hunt Knob trail near the lower end of the Ridge Crest trail or continue on to the shore of Lake Cherokee. The trail ends with a breath-taking view of the lake. Look for communities of Prickly Pear cactus growing in abundance along the Ridge Crest trail.HikeNatural surface |
| Road to Recycling Trail | 1.2 mi | Easy | This self-guided Road to Recycling trail educates park visitors on the benefits of conserving natural resources. Signs located along the trail were made possible through a partnership between Panther Creek State Park and the Morristown-Hamblen Chapter of Keep America Beautiful. This trail was also awarded the Governor's Greenways and Trails Stewardship Award in 2004.HikeNatural surface |
| Seven Sinkholes Trail | 0.6 mi | Easy | This trail meanders past seven distinct sink holes before dipping into a lush valley of cedars and pines. Sinkholes develop when rainfall dissolves the under-layer of porous limestone rock forming cavities. These cavities and depressions within the limestone gradually enlarge creating sinkholes. This easy 0.6-mile trail meanders around seven distinct sinkholes before dipping into a lush valley of cedar and pine.HikeNatural surface |
| Trout Lily Trail | 2 mi | Hard | The Trout Lily trail is a moderately difficult 2-mile trail loop featuring curves, short hills and one very rocky descent. This trail is named after the wildflower found throughout the eastern United States with a leaf pattern similar in appearance to a speckled Brown Trout. Look for the pale yellow blossoms of the Trout Lily from March to May in the moist open woods along the trail. This trail was developed by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club for experienced bicyclists.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
- Laundry
- Group facilities
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Group camping
Recreation
- Golf course
- Disc golf
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 2010 Panther Creek Road
Morristown, TN 37814 - Nearest town
- Morristown — about 6 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.2065, -83.4060
- Phone
- (423) 587-7046
- State.Parks@tn.gov
Nearby state parks
Seven Islands State Birding Park
23.4 mi southwest (straight line)
Big Ridge State Park29.3 mi west (straight line)
Wilderness Road State Park30.2 mi north (straight line) · Virginia
Clinch River Valley State Park32.6 mi northeast (straight line)
Norris Dam State Park39.2 mi west (straight line)
Pine Mountain State Resort Park41 mi northwest (straight line) · Kentucky
David Crockett Birthplace State Park41.6 mi east (straight line)
Cove Lake State Park45.4 mi west (straight line)
Sources and freshness
- Tennessee State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TDEC Bureau of Conservation 'State Park Boundaries Primary' public ArcGIS view
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology