PANTHER CREEK STATE PARK
Panther Creek State Park, covering approximately 1,435 acres, is located on the shores of Cherokee Reservoir, an impoundment of the Holston River. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located about 45 miles south.
Legend has it that both Panther Creek and Panther Springs, located about 1 1/2 miles southeast of the park, received their names from the claim of a Colonel Bradley of Virginia who, while exploring the area, shot a panther that fell into the spring.
Panther Creek has 50 campsites complete with water, electrical hookups, grills, picnic tables, fire rings and a bathhouse facility. A laundromat facility is also available.
The two bathhouse facilities provide hot showers, commodes, and lavatories. The campground also has a dump station for self-contained trailer rigs. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum stay is two weeks.
Panther Creek State Park's large fan-shaped swimming pool opens Memorial Day week-end and is open Tuesday through Sunday until mid-August. From then until Labor Day, the pool is only open on week-ends. There is a high dive, a low dive and a wading pool for small children. A lifeguard is on duty during pool hours.
Aside from lots of nice grassy areas on which to sunbathe, there is also a small shelter for those who want to get out of the sun.
Contact the park for more information on the openings and closings.
Cherokee Lake is a beautiful lake for boating. Nearby commercial marinas provide boat launching and rental boats and motors, as well as a bait shop that supplies fishing and picnicking needs.
Cherokee Lake provides year-round catches of bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and bream. Rock fishing is particularly good and it is not uncommon to catch 20-and 30- pound fish. There is no park fee for fishing but a valid Tennessee fishing license is required. Nearby commercial marinas provide boat launching and rental boats and motors, as well as a bait shop that supplies fishing and picnicking needs.