Big Ridge State Park, TN

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
10/14/2025	4.7 miles	3 hours 26 minutes	339'	1.7 mph	305.8

Parking: 

• Big Ridge Park Road, near the visitor center

Map:

• Big_Ridge_web.png (2550×3300)

Directions:

• Take the Lake Trail. Turn right to head to Meditation Point. At the end of this trail is a bench. Turn around and return to the Lake Trail. Turn right onto the Lake Trail. Turn left onto the Loyston Point Trail and hike to the end at Loyston Overlook (the trail splits at the end - to the left is a high point (no view) to the right is an obstructed view while there are leaves on the trees). Return back to the Lake Trail. Turn left onto the Lake Trail and cross a bridge. Turn right on the other side, still on the Lake Trail. Turn left onto the Ghost House Trail, taking the loop clockwise. At the end of the loop, turn left onto the Lake Trail. Turn right onto Big Ridge Park Road and stay to the right. At the grist mill, take the Old Mill Trail to return to the parking area.

Our third day in Tennessee, we visited Big Ridge State Park, which is very close to Norris Dam State Park. This hike is actually on Norris Lake as well. Of the 4 parks we visited, this one had the best trails - because the footing was excellent. We also passed by 2 cemeteries with graves from the late 1800's and early 1900's. A really nice hike, and there are more trails to explore here.

Loyston Overlook (left spur)

Loyston Overlook (right spur)

There is a dam at the lake crossing

We headed to the cemetery

But first we found a spot to swim.

Many of the gravestones were unmarked or illegible, but we could read a few

Reconstruction of a grist mill

Agueweed

There are lakeside cabins here, but they are closed for 2025 for renovations.

Back at Norris Dam State Park