Big Ridge State Park Campground
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2020

Brutal Backcountry

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.

SiteSharps station
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
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  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Ridge State Park Campground by Nate H., September 5, 2020