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Panther Creek State Park Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Panther Creek State Park Campground, near Morristown, Tennessee, is a cozy spot that packs a punch with its outdoor activities and amenities. This campground is perfect for families and friends looking to enjoy nature without straying too far from home.

The sites here are paved and level, with some offering sewer hookups for RVs. Visitors rave about the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers, which are well-maintained and provide a private experience. As one camper noted, “The bathrooms were very clean, loads of hot water and private.”

If you’re into hiking or biking, you’re in luck! There are plenty of trails right at your doorstep, and the lake access is just a short walk away. Campers have enjoyed spotting wildlife, with deer and raccoons making appearances during their stays. The campground also features a disc golf course, which adds a fun twist to your outdoor adventure.

For those who want to unwind, the upper pavilion has a fantastic fire pit area, perfect for gathering around after a day of exploring. With its friendly atmosphere and variety of activities, Panther Creek State Park Campground is a great choice for a weekend getaway or a longer stay.

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Location

Panther Creek State Park Campground is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

Directions

From East on I-40 travel through Knoxville and take Exit 394 (Hwy. 11E North). This is about 35 miles from the park and Morristown. From South on I-81 take Exit 12 (Hwy 160). Travel North on 160 to Hwy. 11E, turn right and then take the next left. The park is approximately 2.5 miles on the right. From Gatlinburg, get on I-40 east and take Exit 417 (Hwy. 92). Travel toward Jefferson City. At the light, turn right (Hwy 11E North). Travel to Morristown and Panther Creek State Park.

Address

2010 Panther Creek Park Rd
Morristown, TN 37814

Coordinates

36.214481739104315 N
83.40536140435344 W

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Connectivity

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    Verified by 4 users
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Drive Time

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Connectivity

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    Verified by 1 user
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

19 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2025

Panther creek camping

I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table

Site50
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Jennifer M., August 31, 2025
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Jennifer M., August 31, 2025
  • beautiful
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  • (6) View All
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2022

Going up

Panther Creek SP

Panther Creek State Park was an unexpected find outside of Knoxville, TN , in Morristown. I’ve driven by the sign but no need to camp so close to home. I ended up sharing a site with a friend who lives even closer, lol This is a small State Park but it offers a lot to do recreation wise. The weekend we stayed there was a youth mountain bike event and cross country running going on. There’s also horseback trails. My only complaint about the trails is they are not marked well. A Boy Scout troop needs to do some merit badge work and improve them . The campground is small, a little tight in the sides and limited on full service sites. It’s a gradual uphill drive through the camp , you curve to the left and then back down the hill. The sites in the upper curve are bigger then the ones on the hill. There are several that offer tent pads and small vehicle pads. Check your lengths and bring your leveling boards. The two showerhouses are next to pavilions. All well maintained. The upper pavilion has a very cool fire pit area. And can accommodate a small gathering. There is a trailhead in the campground and several other trailheads in easy walking, pedaling distance , plus an awesome overlook and more strenuous hike up the road. The boat ramp is in an adjacent area and the lake is beautiful.

Site29
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Shelly S., October 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Shelly S., October 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Shelly S., October 11, 2022
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Sep. 19, 2022

Nice Quiet Campground

Paved level campsites of varying lengths, so check before reserving. There are about 12 premium sites the have sewer for RV’s. Bathrooms are very clean, loads of hot water and private. There are two bathhouses each with 6 private bathrooms containing sink, shower and toilet. A separate laundry room is available, as is recycling for plastic & aluminum. The park is quiet and well patrolled by rangers and sheriff, so very safe. Store closest to campground is open 2-7:30 PM. Visitor Center at the entrance opens at 7 AM. Tent pads appeared to be 8x8’ max, so if you have a family size tent you’ll need to find flat grass to pitch on YOUR site. During my stay, 9/15-18/2022, crows gave early wake up call but muck better than waking to traffic noise. Watch for stink bugs, there were plenty during my visit and found one in my pop up when I opened up upon returning. Everything you could possibly need in Morristown and the Houston River was a nice paddle.

Site48
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2022

Panther Creek

Great place to camp. Lots of trails for hiking and mountain biking! Easy access to the lake and a great Disc Golf course. Can’t wait to go again.

Site32
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Phillip W., July 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Phillip W., July 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Phillip W., July 7, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Apr. 19, 2022

Beautiful Park!

We enjoyed our stay here so much! There are beautiful trails, frisbee golf, a big park and pretty streams. Was great for a camping weekend. The shower stalls/bathrooms were great; much better than most are and we also used the laundry room which was clean too!

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Katie B., April 19, 2022
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Katie B., April 19, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2021

Convenient to I-81

This park is less than 10 minutes from I-81, so very convenient for a one night stop over like we did on this trip. The camping loop is on a hill, so the sites are not 100% level (makes sure you have leveling gear). Also, we found the sites to be very short (and this is coming from someone in a teardrop trailer). Pay attention to the site lengths when making your reservations. The bathhouse was very nice; individual suites with a bench, sink, toilet, and shower. We'll definitely keep this on our list for I-81 stopovers and hope to have a point where we can explore it some more.

Site26
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2021

Will be back

Panther Creek was an incredible experience. We loved the campground and it's accessibility to trails. No matter where you camp, your just a short walk from a trailhead that connects to multiple trails. Not to mention the wildlife was great! A raccoon watched us make s'mores from about 20 feet away and it seems like every hour we would see deer. Two deer had lunch on some vegetation while we were having lunch about 30 feet away. We also saw a wild turkey. The rangers are super nice and helpful. Great place to camp, padeboard, hike, and play disc golf!

Site30
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Ricky , August 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Ricky , August 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Ricky , August 8, 2021
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2021

Great State Park

Panther Creek State Park has a great campground for families to spend time at. For a lesser known state park, they have a lot of amenities. Playgrounds, hiking, horseback trails, mountain bike trails, tennis courts, disc golf, baseball field, volleyball, lake access, swimming pool (closed for covid). Lots of wildlife here, even a rescued barred owl to view near the gift shop. It can get lively throughout the day, but most people are respectful and keep the noise down at night. The bath houses are kept clean, and have some nice pavilions for gatherings. Though if you come in the summer look out for ticks. Panther Creek is notorious for ticks. I pulled 6 off of me in one day.

Site47
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Apr. 15, 2021

Beautiful Campground

Great trails, walkways, and a lot of activities available (tennis courts, basketball, frisbee, etc.). The restrooms/showers were clean and well stocked. The only drawback was the slow, and sometimes non-existent, wi-fi service.

Site34
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Charlie B., April 15, 2021
Reviewed Jan. 4, 2021

Great Mountain biking!

Very nice bathrooms. The sites aren’t the most private we’ve ever stayed at, but the mountain biking was so much fun we didn’t care! Hiking and biking was an A+. Great place for families because of the surrounding wooded activities.

Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020

Our favorite

This is our absolute favorite campground. Great amenities and ease of access for anything we need with a short drive into town. It’s quiet and relaxing. Watch out for pesky raccoons in site 7. They love to eat dog food.

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2020

Top notch

Large RR/shower rooms well maintained. Lots to do with a great lake for kayaking. Great trails, and other activities

  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Larry M., July 14, 2020
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Larry M., July 14, 2020
Reviewed Mar. 20, 2020

One of our favorite quick getaways

Panther creek has great hiking trails, pool, playground fire pits and so much more! The campground tends to be quiet and relaxed and has full hookups on some of the sites along with a nice little store and the dump station.

  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Bill P., March 20, 2020
Reviewed Dec. 13, 2019

Quiet and relaxing

This is a very quiet campground. It has roomy sites and all amenities. The number of sites with sewer is limited, so book early to ensure availability. The campground is a single loop and the full hookups are on a hill. Parking area on the Sites are level, but they tend to slope otherwise. We enjoyed our stay here and will return as it is local and good for quick trips.

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2018

Great front country campground.

The campground has 50 full-hookup sites. A pavilion, shower house. The Park has tennis courts, a swimming pool, 60 miles of trails and a boat ramp for Cherokee Lake.

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2018

Hikers Retreat

This camp site is great for hikers! We visited this site while participating in the Dirty Bird Dirt Circuit! We camped while running the race through the trails of the park. The campsite is small but close to all the trails.

Site4
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
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  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Bryan  R., October 1, 2018
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2018

Great campground

The sites arnt very large so check the internet under TN State Parks for available sites. The Campground sits away from the pool and Cherokee Lake but a short drive to the boat ramp allowed for some fun fishing. Lots of hiking trails...but "easy" trail wasn't really easy..

Site24
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Diane H., August 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Panther Creek State Park Campground by Diane H., August 14, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2016

nice hikes

This great park for hiking is less than an hour from Knoxville. It’s always nice to escape the city and this was an ideal place to go. The hiking trails ranged from difficult to short and easy. The ’Trout’ hiking trail was very nice. One of the longer hikes was the Knob trail and it was very nice as well. They even allowed mountain biking on a good amount of trails- bringing a bike next time! This park doesn’t have a huge campground (which is a positive in my book). A drawback is the lack of seclusion,-there really is none. The sites are essentially all in a flat grassy area with some trees around the outside, but they don’t help with privacy much. I would probably make this park a day trip destination or just stay a night because it is not a campground I would enjoy just hanging out around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Panther Creek State Park Campground located in Tennessee?

Panther Creek State Park Campground is located in eastern Tennessee, less than an hour's drive from Knoxville. The park sits on the shores of Cherokee Lake, offering both water and mountain recreation opportunities. It's situated just off Interstate 81, making it easily accessible for travelers. The campground's location provides a perfect base for exploring the natural beauty of this region of Tennessee.

Is there a campground map for Panther Creek State Park?

Yes, there is a campground map for Panther Creek State Park. The campground is arranged in a single loop design with sites positioned along a hill. Maps are available at the park office and on the Tennessee State Parks website. These maps show the layout of all 50 campsites, including which ones offer full hookups, as well as the locations of amenities like the shower house, pavilion, and access to hiking trails.

What do visitor reviews say about Panther Creek State Park Campground?

Panther Creek State Park Campground is highly regarded for its excellent trail system, with multiple hiking and mountain biking paths that connect directly to the campground. Campers appreciate the clean, well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. The campground offers numerous recreational opportunities, including access to Cherokee Lake, tennis courts, basketball, disc golf, and a seasonal swimming pool. While the sites aren't the most private and some are on a hill requiring leveling equipment, many families consider it their favorite campground due to the abundance of activities. Some sites are noted to be relatively short for larger RVs, and visitors should be aware of occasional wildlife visitors like raccoons.

How do I make camping reservations at Panther Creek State Park?

Reservations for Panther Creek State Park Campground can be made through the Tennessee State Parks reservation system online. The campground offers 50 full-hookup sites, with a limited number featuring sewer connections, so booking early is recommended to secure your preferred site. For the most up-to-date availability and to view specific site details, check the Tennessee State Parks website or call the park directly.

How far is Panther Creek State Park from Morristown, TN?

Panther Creek State Park is located very close to Morristown, TN. The park is approximately 10 minutes from Interstate 81, making it a convenient stop for travelers passing through the area. Its proximity to Morristown means campers have easy access to town services and supplies when needed, while still enjoying the natural setting of the park.