Big Ridge State Park Campground

Big Ridge State Park has nothing within 30 minutes and we are talking some winding roads. Enjoyable drive in but bring your food. 

The campground has two levels and three sections. There are two new, clean showerhouses and one old showerhouse. 

At the front of the campground are ADA sites, the second section is closest to the lake, good for fishing. Then you drive/walk up the hill past the beach area to the top level which have several sites. There are stairs that connect back to the lower level. 

There are water sports and hiking trails to enjoy and nice group areas for get togethers.

Local Hangout

Camping on the lake and enjoying the scenery.

Something for everyone.  Clean lake, nice facilities, hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, gift shop, and a grist mill to check out.  

This seems to be a popular area to visit. The sites are small and close together. Not all of them have a suitable tent spot, and there were a lot of RVs. I wish there was a separate area for tents.

That being said, it was fairly peaceful and quiet at night. There is a nearby swimming area, but it was occupied by geese families and there was quite a lot of goose poop. The bathrooms were not well-kept, although there were showers available. The history of the area is interesting, and the lake is quite peaceful.

Small sites, crowded area

Another close and convenient campsite to Knoxville, TN!  Several campsites here are conveniently located along Norris Lake.  If not on the lake a short 5 minute walk from other sites.  This campsite is a great place for those who like to kayak or paddle board in the clean water of Norris Lake.    This campground offers large sites with plenty of space and you don't feel like your neighbors are invading your privacy.   The bath houses are clean, but the overall campsite could be a little bit better maintained.  Some areas had overgrown grass and litter.   If it wasn't for the lake I don't think this campsite would have been as good of a visit.    

The Lake takes the Cake!  

Sites are nice and well maintained just a little close for a state park.Bathhouses could use a little updating but clean.Weekends seem to be busy but during the week campground was very quiet.

Very nice campground, people are nice .

the place was beautiful but you could really tell the place had been through a drought not long ago. the staff was great and helpful and the views where amazing!

pretty.

Short drive to marinas. Boat ramps on the grounds. Campsite has views of the lake. Plenty of hiking trails near the campground. Two of the bathrooms were really nice but unfortunately we were close to one that was not as nice. Neighbors were close but we had plenty of space. Definitely a great spot if you are planning on spending majority of your time on the lake! 

Great Place to  Experience Norris Lake 

Big ridge has everything you could ask for in a campground for the family

Great place for the family 

Nice campground bathroom not bad, I got a discount for Military and winter rates which came to 15 bucks not bad for a night stay.  Maybe 5 campers in whole campground. Looks like it has a lot of summer activities.

Quite 

  Big Ridge State Park has two options for camping, the campground with hookups and bathroom facilities, or three backcountry sites. So this review is for the backcountry. There are three choices of sites in then backcountry, and we stayed at Sharps Station Site. First of all, this was a beast of a hike, both in and out. I plan to never do it again! It is extremely strenuous, with some serious elevation changes, very steep terrain, and overgrown brushy trails that will leave your arms and legs scratched up. Not to mention, the sites are so confusing! The trail maps don’t have the sites clearly marked, and either the booking system, or the signage is incorrect, making is difficult to figure out how to get to your site. For example, when I booked Sharps Station site, it shows it as being #3, but on the signs in the park, the Sharps station site is listed as campsite #2, and the dark hollow sites are #1 and #3. Another issue with the maps, is that it shows the Sharps station site as being on the water, and that is not the case. The site is above the water, on a ridge, so you have to hike another .20 miles down and back up to get your water. So here’s how you get to Sharps Station Site- park at the grist mill, walk right for approx. .2 to the big valley trailhead, follow big valley trail to Indian rock trail, it’s a loop, so you can go either way, we went counterclockwise, and had to go down the super steep terrain. If you go clockwise, you will come to the Sharps station trail before you get to the site, and you can decide if you want to camp down on the water, or hike up .2 to the site. 
   That being said, if you still choose to make the grueling hike to camp at Sharps station site, do yourself a favor and hit the Sharps station trail and camp on the water. Plenty of spots on that short trail. 
   I gave this site only two stars because I feel like there are plenty of other areas you can find backcountry sites that are as good or better with a whole lot less effort to get to. However, we did not see anyone once we got on the Indian rock trail, so you will be all alone out there, and that is nice. And the hike in and out might be better in the early spring or later in fall when it’s not so overgrown with blackberries and such. 
   I don’t believe I’ll hike this place ever again, I may put in my kayak and paddle over to the site, but that hike is no joke! 

Sharps Station Backcountry Site

I was not a fan of this campsite. Bathrooms need a lot of TLC and the sites were too close together. However, there is a park near by and several hiking trails. 

Lots of hiking trails 

Big Ridge State Park has some great features, like Norris Lake, which is arguably the best lake around this area. Fishing, boating, biking, campground, nature trails, etc. and then there’s the backcountry. If you choose to stay at one of the backcountry sites, heed the warnings, the hike will be tough, and if you take Sharps Station Site, May God have mercy on your soul! Not only is it steep both ways(don’t even know how that’s possible), the trail is overgrown and rough. The campsite is heavily wooded, and perfect for hammocks. The site leads you to believe the site is on the lake, that is false, so if you plan to get water from the lake, be prepared to hike an additional 2.5 miles to get it and back up to the site. The park has some interesting history, and that’s really cool. There’s three backcountry sites that you can reserve, I would try one of the other two, and avoid sharps station.

Brutal Backcountry 

I’ve stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail. The site is tucked off the trail and has access to a stream that is directly across from the site entrance. I’ve also finished the trip by hiking the loop back out by continuing on Dark Hollow to Big Valley Trail, to Ghost House Trail and back to Lake Trail (5.3 miles total). These sections of the trails are easy to moderate. 

Backcountry-Dark Hollow West 

Stayed here in Nov when the trees were in full color. Beautiful! Sites are spaced nicely and angled for an easy in and out. Shower house could and should be larger. Ranger on duty was very friendly. 

Tennessee Beauty

Quiet, easy back in, water and electric hook up. TMobile cell service was very spotty. Short walk to Lake with view of lake from campsite. 