Anderson County to benefit from vacations close to home

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NORRIS - Despite the nationwide economic doldrums, Norris Lake will continue to draw visitors this year, officials predict.

Marketing of the lake, its marinas, state parks and campsites will be more focused as vacation season nears, says Stephanie Wells, executive director of the Anderson County Tourism Council.

"All trends are showing that people are still going to travel, but maybe not as far," she said.

"I think everybody is going to maintain (visitor levels). I don't see much growth this summer."

With belt-tightening in a shaky economy, tourists may also not be staying as long, she said. Extended weekend trips may replace longer visits, she said.

So efforts are under way to entice those within a four-hour drive, rather than tourists from farther away, she said.

Still, those in the tourism industry are gearing up for the usual number of visitors, be they campers, anglers, bird-watchers or families.

They're drawn by the pristine, green waters of the first reservoir in TVA's network of man-made lakes.

Norris Lake has more than 800 miles of shoreline in Anderson, Claiborne, Campbell, Grainger and Union counties.

More than 20 marinas, as well as several public boat launches, dot the shoreline.

The marinas rent everything from personal watercraft to houseboats, Wells said.

The lake's reputation as a hot spot for anglers lost some of its luster a few years ago, but it's bounced back with renewed interest, especially in early spring bass fishing.

The deluxe cabins at the 4,000-acre Norris Dam State Park are already "pretty full" for June, July and part of August, said Michael Scott, a long-term park ranger.

There were more than 100,000 visits to Norris Dam State Park last year, Scott said.

The park features 75 campgrounds, rustic and deluxe cabins, nearly 30 miles of hiking trails, Lenoir Museum artifacts and the 211-year-old Rice Grist Mill.

Other attractions include periodic tours of Mill Cave, fall color boat rides and the springtime wildflower walks.

Big Ridge State Park features 35 miles of Norris Lake shoreline. It's 12 miles from Interstate 75 off Highway 61 in Union County.

Cove Lake State Park is in Campbell County and is just off I-75.

Then, there's the 196-acre Anderson County Park on a peninsula at the former confluence of the Powell and Clinch rivers.

For hunters and bird-watchers, there's the 24,444-acre Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area in Campbell and Union counties. That WMA is off state Highway 33 between Maynardville and Tazewell.

Norris Lake is more than 200 feet deep in some places and holds about 830 billion gallons of water.

The lake was formed by the construction of Norris Dam, the first dam built in TVA's network. Construction of the dam started in 1933 and was completed three years later.

Bob Fowler may be reached at 865-481-3625.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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