Whether you’re a day-hiker or an overnight hiker, a beginner or an advanced hiker, Anderson County, Tennessee has the trails for you. From adrenaline kicking hikes with stunning views to gentle paths lined with wildflowers, there’s a hike for almost everyone.

In addition to our trails, Anderson County’s mild year round temperatures, great lodging options and other fun area attractions make it the perfect weekend get-a-way.

We’ve highlighted a few great areas to hike and some areas just outside of Anderson County that offer great trails. Let’s get started planning your hiking weekend in Anderson County!

Where to Hike 

Norris Dam State Park occupies more than 4,000 acres on the shores of Norris Lake and surrounds Norris Dam. The park offers fifteen different trails ranging in length and difficulty. There are trails suitable for the experienced hiker and trails for an easy family outing, so there’s really something for everyone. Norris Dam State Park does a great job rating the trails from easy to difficult, so we recommend visiting their website and doing a little research before hitting the trails. You can find everything you need here. 

The park is also bordered by the Norris Watershed that has an additional 30 miles of trails to hike, so you can spend an entire weekend exploring. The area is home to diverse wildlife such as deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, and many species of birds. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching, especially in the early mornings and evenings.

While not in Anderson County, Loyston Point Trails and Big Ridge State Park are both located just a short drive from Norris Dam and also offer incredible hiking.

One advantage to hiking Norris Dam State Park and Norris Watershed is you can stay right at the park! Norris Dam State Park has two campgrounds and a variety of cabins that will give you direct access to many of the trails.

There is also a brand new campground within a few miles, Appalachia Ridge. They have full hook-up RV sites and coming in 2025 there will be Glamping Tents, Tiny Homes and Tree Houses.  

There are also 7 hotels located right off of Interstate 75 with very close access to Norris Dam State Park and the Watershed. To see a complete list of hotels, visit our website.

Haw Ridge Park is a 780 acre park located in Oak Ridge that lies on the shores of Melton Hill Lake. The park has over 33 miles of wooded multi-use dirt trails. The trails accommodate all levels of hikers and provide many picturesque views. An easy trail to consider at Haw Ridge is the West Shore Loop Trail. This is a 1.2 mile loop that offers beautiful views of the Clinch River. A more difficult and longer trail to check out is the Haw Ridge Lake Trail. This is an 8.3 mile loop that is very popular among bird watchers and mountain bikers, so you’ll most likely encounter some other people on the trail.Haw Ridge also connects with the Melton Lake Greenway, which is a 5.7 mile paved trail that runs parallel with the lake, so if you’re looking for a relaxed walk with breathtaking views, this is the place for you.

While not in Anderson County, Frozen Head State Park, located within a short drive of Oak Ridge, offers great hiking. The park features over 50 miles of foot trails that meander by waterfalls, rock shelters and giant mountaintop cap rocks. A portion of the Cumberland Trail passes through the park.