The best star host camping in Norris Lake

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A 34,000-acre reservoir on the Powell and Clinch rivers, Norris Lake is 30 miles northwest of Knoxville. Campgrounds and marinas surround the lake, so access to watersports and fantastic bass fishing is a breeze for campers, while surrounding state parks spotlight East Tennessee’s mountain-and-river terrain and its Appalachian culture. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed several of these state parks during the Great Depression, and CCC-built facilities are still in use today. Glamping options include farm sites, canvas tents, and tiny homes—and birdwatching and hiking are popular no matter where you stay nearby.

99% (2.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Lavender Loft Lane Treehouse

4. Lavender Loft Lane Treehouse

1 site · Lodging · Jonesville, VA
Perched above the forest floor in the mountains of Jonesville, Virginia, this tiny home treehouse offers serene mountain vistas, cozy interiors, and the charm of nature all around. Perfect for romantic getaways or family adventures, the space includes Wi-Fi, a television, a loft with treetop views, a private deck for stargazing, a full kitchen and bath, nearby hiking trails, and all the comforts of home in a beautifully crafted, elevated setting designed for peaceful mountain escapes and rest. Inside, natural wood walls and soft lighting give the space a quiet warmth. The kitchen includes a vintage-style refrigerator, microwave, Keurig with pods, and a full set of dishes and silverware. In the main living area, a sofa and television sit across from the kitchen for easy evenings in. A full bathroom with a walk-in shower is located just beyond the main space. The downstairs bedroom includes a queen bed with side tables and windows that look out toward the trees. A wooden ladder leads to the loft, where a twin bed rests beneath the sloped ceiling. The sofa in the main room serves as a fourth sleeping option. Beneath the treehouse, a covered outdoor space wraps around a mature tree, with a charcoal grill and lounge seating set into the shade. Surrounded by forest, the structure feels deeply set into its surroundings while still offering easy access to nearby trailheads, scenic overlooks, and the quiet backroads that stretch across the Virginia–Tennessee line. We are within walking distance of the Cumberland Bowl Park which has a new splash pad for kids to play on hot days, located about a block from the property entrance. The park has basketball courts, playgrounds, a running track, baseball, softball, and kickball diamonds, several picnic areas with covered gazebos for large gatherings, and the park hosts many public events. There is ample room for throwing a football, along with public restrooms. The nearby town has several restaurants for pizza, burgers, Mexican, and fried chicken, and many more options available for dine in or carry out. There is a Wal-Mart less than 2 miles away, and several other stores. • 30 miles from Cumberland Gap with amazing restaurants and scenic views • 20 miles from the historic Natural Tunnel • 30 Miles from Devils Bathtub
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$184
 / night

A 34,000-acre reservoir on the Powell and Clinch rivers, Norris Lake is 30 miles northwest of Knoxville. Campgrounds and marinas surround the lake, so access to watersports and fantastic bass fishing is a breeze for campers, while surrounding state parks spotlight East Tennessee’s mountain-and-river terrain and its Appalachian culture. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed several of these state parks during the Great Depression, and CCC-built facilities are still in use today. Glamping options include farm sites, canvas tents, and tiny homes—and birdwatching and hiking are popular no matter where you stay nearby.

99% (2.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Lavender Loft Lane Treehouse

4. Lavender Loft Lane Treehouse

1 site · Lodging · Jonesville, VA
Perched above the forest floor in the mountains of Jonesville, Virginia, this tiny home treehouse offers serene mountain vistas, cozy interiors, and the charm of nature all around. Perfect for romantic getaways or family adventures, the space includes Wi-Fi, a television, a loft with treetop views, a private deck for stargazing, a full kitchen and bath, nearby hiking trails, and all the comforts of home in a beautifully crafted, elevated setting designed for peaceful mountain escapes and rest. Inside, natural wood walls and soft lighting give the space a quiet warmth. The kitchen includes a vintage-style refrigerator, microwave, Keurig with pods, and a full set of dishes and silverware. In the main living area, a sofa and television sit across from the kitchen for easy evenings in. A full bathroom with a walk-in shower is located just beyond the main space. The downstairs bedroom includes a queen bed with side tables and windows that look out toward the trees. A wooden ladder leads to the loft, where a twin bed rests beneath the sloped ceiling. The sofa in the main room serves as a fourth sleeping option. Beneath the treehouse, a covered outdoor space wraps around a mature tree, with a charcoal grill and lounge seating set into the shade. Surrounded by forest, the structure feels deeply set into its surroundings while still offering easy access to nearby trailheads, scenic overlooks, and the quiet backroads that stretch across the Virginia–Tennessee line. We are within walking distance of the Cumberland Bowl Park which has a new splash pad for kids to play on hot days, located about a block from the property entrance. The park has basketball courts, playgrounds, a running track, baseball, softball, and kickball diamonds, several picnic areas with covered gazebos for large gatherings, and the park hosts many public events. There is ample room for throwing a football, along with public restrooms. The nearby town has several restaurants for pizza, burgers, Mexican, and fried chicken, and many more options available for dine in or carry out. There is a Wal-Mart less than 2 miles away, and several other stores. • 30 miles from Cumberland Gap with amazing restaurants and scenic views • 20 miles from the historic Natural Tunnel • 30 Miles from Devils Bathtub
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$184
 / night

Stories from the community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping in Norris Lake guide

Where to go

Anderson County

Campgrounds are scattered along the shoreline beside Norris Dam, which sits at the southwestern edge of the lake in Anderson County. Small towns with camping, glamping, and RV sites include Rocky Top, Norris, and Andersonville.

Norris Dam State Park

The 19 cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at Norris Dam State Park merge Depression-era history with modern amenities. The sprawling lakefront park also has two campgrounds, both with tent and RV campsites. A marina and a Southern Appalachia museum are bonus highlights.

Big Ridge State Park

Lakeside campsites accommodate tents and RVs at Big Ridge State Park, another Depression-era park constructed by the TVA and the CCC. Watersports are popular here, but hikers have plenty of options too, with 15 miles of trails exploring the forests, hollows, and ridges. Campgrounds are also scattered across the towns of Maynardville and New Tazewell.

Knoxville

Tennessee’s capital and the home of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a convenient launchpad for campers looking to mix urban adventuring with paddling and fishing at Norris Lake. In Knoxville, ride the elevator to the observation area atop the soaring Sunsphere, then check out the quarry and the nature center inside the Urban Wilderness, a network of parks and multi-use trails scattered across the city. Campgrounds surround the downtown area.