How much does camping cost at Big Ridge State Park?

Camping fees at Big Ridge State Park range from $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Big Ridge State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Big Ridge State Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Big Ridge State Park before I book?

Yes! Big Ridge State Park has 12 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Big Ridge State Park?

Big Ridge State Park is open Open year-round. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Big Ridge State Park?

Yes, Big Ridge State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Big Ridge State Park have?

Big Ridge State Park has 50 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Big Ridge State Park?

Pets are not allowed at Big Ridge State Park. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Big Ridge State Park?

Big Ridge State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Big Ridge State Park?

Popular activities at Big Ridge State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Big Ridge State Park

4.83

35 reviews

Family FriendlySummer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Tennessee

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,289 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsPull-ThroughUp to 90 ftShowers

Book on Tennessee State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,289 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsPull-ThroughUp to 90 ftShowers

Book on Tennessee State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Big Ridge State Park

from $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Reports indicate a typical nightly fee around $30. The campground has 50 sites with water and 50A electric hookups (no sewer). Facilities noted...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Itinio

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Big Ridge State Park

36.2554, -83.9245

Weather at Big Ridge State Park

Best Time to Camp at Big Ridge State Park

Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather and scenery. Daytime highs typically range from the mid-50s to low-70s°F with crisp nights often in the 30s to 50s°F, ideal for hiking and lakeside campfires without summer heat or bugs. Leaf color in the foothills peaks in October, and fishing and boating on Norris Lake remain excellent while crowds are lower than midsummer (weekends do get busier for leaf-peepers). The park stays open year-round, but early October stands out in reviews for the combination of trail conditions and scenery.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall offers best combo of comfortable weather and scenic views; ideal hiking.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round

About Big Ridge State Park

Big Ridge State Park sits on the shore of Norris Lake in the Cumberland Mountain foothills, about an hour north of Knoxville. The campground offers 50 sites with water and 50A electric hookups (no sewer) at $30/night, plus primitive backcountry options. All sites are easy back-ins with a dump station available on departure.

The park offers developed campsites with hookups, tent camping, backcountry/primitive options, and cabin lodging. Sites include full water and electric service but no sewer hookups.

Weather and SeasonsFall offers the best combination of comfortable weather and scenery. Daytime highs typically range from the mid-50s to low-70s°F with crisp nights often in the 30s to 50s°F, ideal for hiking and lakeside campfires without summer heat or bugs. Leaf color in the foothills peaks in October, and fishing and boating on Norris Lake remain excellent while crowds are lower than midsummer (weekends do get busier for leaf-peepers). The park stays open year-round, but early October stands out in reviews for the combination of trail conditions and scenery.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sprawls across gently rolling hills that slope down to Norris Lake. Sites split between waterfront spots with direct lake views and wooded areas sheltered by Tennessee hardwoods. The lake itself winds through the landscape in serpentine curves, visible from many sites and from ridge-top points along the park's trail network. A sandy swimming beach sits near the main camping area. The terrain is typical Cumberland foothill country: modest elevation changes, mixed deciduous forest, and quiet coves where the lake tucks into the hillsides.

Scenic ViewsViews of Norris Lake and the surrounding hills; many campsites are directly on the water and offer lakefront vistas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (Tennessee State Parks/Itinio)

Total Campsites50 campsites

Best CampsitesWaterfront sites get the most mentions from campers. Sites 15, 16, 17, and 18 are frequently recommended for quality and views. Sites 40, 42 through 45, and 49 through 50 also show up in reviews as preferred spots, most of them on the water. All sites have water and 50A electric hookups and are configured as easy back-ins.

Amenities available

The campground has 50 sites with potable water and 50A electric hookups at each site and no sewer hookups. Facilities include flush toilets, hot showers in bathhouses, a dump station, drinking water, and firewood for sale.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups50 of 103 sites (49%)

Water hookups47 of 103 sites (46%)

1 pull-through siteUp to 90 ft vehicles

Activities you can enjoy

Big Ridge State Park provides lake-based recreation plus an extensive trail system in rolling hills and wooded areas. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife reported includes birds and other animals; at least one bear sighting has been noted in available reports.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.8

35 reviews

Top-Rated

Big Ridge State Park is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall very positive reviews: visitors praise the scenic lake views, well-maintained grounds, clean bathhouses, hiking trails, and friendly staff; common complaints mention close site spacing and some dated facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 35 reviews

What Campers Love

Beautiful lake and hill views, family-friendly with playgrounds and courts, well-kept campsites with water and 50A electric hookups, clean restrooms and hot showers, good hiking and lake access for...

Based on 35 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve waterfront sites if you want views (preferred sites mentioned by visitors include 15–18, 40, 42–45, 49–50). Weekends are busiest; early October is highly recommended for fall colors and...

Based on 35 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Beautiful lake, clean bathrooms, friendly staff” — common sentiment from many visitors praising the park’s scenery and management.

Based on 35 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Waterfront sites 15-18, 40, and 42-45 are the reason to book here. Families with boats or fishing gear get the most out of the lake access, sandy beach, and 50A electric hookups, all for around $30/night.

Skip if

Privacy seekers will feel cramped. Sites run close together, some bathhouse facilities show their age, and there are no sewer hookups, so full-hookup RVers will need the dump station on the way out.

Nearby Campgrounds

4.4

(90)

Norris Dam State Park

Norris Dam State Park sits in forested hills above Norris Lake, Tennessee's first TVA reservoir. The campground offers 4.4-star-rated sites with shaded loops, a clean air-conditioned bathhouse, and direct access to lake fishing and hiking trails. Large RVs should use caution; the East Campground has steep, sharp curves better suited to smaller rigs.