Panther Creek State Park is a 1,435 acre park located on the Cherokee Reservoir in the historic Holston River Valley, six miles west of Morristown. Pioneers from North Carolina and the older Watauga Settlement in East Tennessee arrived in this area around 1785. Prior to this time, the Cherokee Indians were the most prominent Native American tribe in the area.
The park has 17 different hiking trails covering more than 30 miles of terrain at all levels of difficulty. Hikers can enjoy magnificent views of Cherokee Lake and the Cumberland Mountains from Point Lookout Trail reaching 1,460 feet above sea level. There are also more than 15 miles of mountain biking trails that range from easy to difficult.
Cherokee Lake provides year-round catches of bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, rock fish and bream. It is common to catch rock fish up to 20 pounds. Nearby commercial marinas provide boat launching and rental boats, as well as a bait shop that supplies fishing and picnicking needs.
Panther Creek offers seven miles of horseback riding trails with more under construction. Horse trailers must use the parking area off Panther Creek Road, just to the west of Boat Ramp Road.
