Is Panther Creek State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Panther Creek State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Panther Creek State Park before I book?

Yes! Panther Creek State Park has 7 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 Panther Creek State Park?

Panther Creek State Park is open Open year-round. Spring and fall are recommended for milder weather and fall foliage; summers can be hot and humid. Weekends are typically busier.. 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 Panther Creek State Park?

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

Is there cell service at Panther Creek State Park?

Cell phone service at Panther Creek State Park is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

Are dogs allowed at Panther Creek State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Panther Creek State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Panther Creek State Park?

Panther Creek State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Panther Creek State Park?

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

Panther Creek State Park

4.71

24 reviews

Family FriendlySummer Destination

Featured in:Hiking Camping Tennessee

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,158 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Full HookupsUp to 66 ftShowers

Book on Tennessee State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,158 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Full HookupsUp to 66 ftShowers

Book on Tennessee State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Panther Creek State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Itinio

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I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Panther Creek State Park

36.2121, -83.4061

Weather at Panther Creek State Park

Best Time to Camp at Panther Creek State Park

Fall delivers the best conditions. Daytime highs settle between the mid-50s and mid-70s°F in October, and mornings stay crisp enough for comfortable hiking. The hardwoods peak with color, and white-tailed deer move more visibly at dawn and dusk during foraging and rut. Weekends draw local families, but weekdays stay quiet. Spring and fall avoid the thick heat and humidity that settle in during summer, making trail outings more pleasant year-round.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall delivers best conditions and vivid hardwood color; recommended season.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round. Spring and fall are recommended for milder weather and fall foliage; summers can be hot and humid. Weekends are typically busier.

About Panther Creek State Park

Panther Creek State Park sits where Panther Creek flows into Cherokee Reservoir in eastern Tennessee, about an hour from the Smokies. The campground offers wooded sites with 20/30/50 amp electric and water hookups, some with full sewer. Visitors return for clean facilities, abundant deer sightings, and quick access to trails, creek play areas, and the reservoir's boat ramp.

Campground accommodates RVs with electric (20/30/50 amp) and water hookups and some sewer sites; tent camping is available. No explicit official references to primitive, group sites, or cabins were found in the available sources.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions. Daytime highs settle between the mid-50s and mid-70s°F in October, and mornings stay crisp enough for comfortable hiking. The hardwoods peak with color, and white-tailed deer move more visibly at dawn and dusk during foraging and rut. Weekends draw local families, but weekdays stay quiet. Spring and fall avoid the thick heat and humidity that settle in during summer, making trail outings more pleasant year-round.

Natural Features and SceneryPanther Creek runs along and behind the first few campsites, creating kid-friendly wading spots and background noise for early risers. Cherokee Reservoir stretches along the park's edge with miles of shoreline for paddling and fishing. Hardwood forest covers most of the park, turning vivid orange and crimson in October. A few overlooks provide long views toward the Smoky Mountains, though distance softens the details.

Scenic ViewsMany sites have water views of Panther Creek or Cherokee Reservoir; overlooks provide broader scenic views and, given the park's location, views toward the Smoky Mountains are possible.

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 not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsItinio (UseDirect-based)

Best CampsitesSites 34, 38–40, and 42–46 have full sewer hookups, a detail RV campers mention in reviews. The first few sites sit closest to the creek. Overall spacing is generous, though weekend crowds reduce the sense of privacy.

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Amenities available

Facilities include potable water at sites, electric hookups (20/30/50 amp reported), showers and clean restrooms with private stalls, and some sewer hookups. Park also has a camp store, pavilions, playground, boat ramp, and a swimming area/pool.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups49 of 99 sites (49%)

Water hookups49 of 99 sites (49%)

Sewer hookups8 of 99 sites (8%)

8 full hookup sitesUp to 66 ft vehicles

Activities you can enjoy

Wide range of recreation including hiking, biking, disc golf, equestrian trails, boating on Cherokee Reservoir, fishing, swimming, and picnicking; creek play near some campsites is popular with families.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

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Trip Planning Tools

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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

4.7

24 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Visitors consistently praise clean, private restrooms and showers, spacious sites, abundant wildlife (notably deer), and a variety of trails and recreational options. The park is popular on weekends and with RV campers; service and amenities are generally described as friendly and well-maintained.

Review Summaries

Based on 24 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean bathrooms and private showers; potable water and electric hookups at sites (20/30/50 amp reported); boat ramp and Cherokee Reservoir access; family-friendly creek areas; well-marked trails for...

Based on 24 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Families with kids get the most out of sites near Panther Creek for wading, plus the swimming area, disc golf, and boat ramp on Cherokee Reservoir. RVers wanting full hookups should target sites 34, 38-40, or 42-46, but book well ahead for any fall weekend.

Skip if

Weekend privacy is thin and the place draws crowds in October. If you need reliable cell service throughout, Verizon works in spots but drops in others, and the trail maps frustrate enough visitors that you'll want to download a route before you arrive.

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Frozen Head State Park

Frozen Head State Park's campground sits along Flat Fork Creek in the Tennessee mountains, offering spacious tent and primitive sites at 1,388 feet elevation. The park maintains 24,000 acres of forest with trails to waterfalls and high overlooks. Free hot showers, a playground, and friendly rangers make this a comfortable base for families and hikers.