Panther Creek State Park

About Panther Creek State Park

Panther Creek State Park covers an area of approximately 1,435 acres and is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 45 miles south of Asheville, North Carolina. Panther Creek and Panther Springs, located about 30 miles north of the park's main entrance, were named after Colonel Bradley of Virginia, who shot a panther that fell into the springs while exploring the area.

Panthers Creek has an average annual rainfall of about 2,000 cubic feet per second and a maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.

The two bathhouses have hot showers, dressers and toilets; there is also a laundry, as well as a picnic area with picnic tables, picnic benches, a fireplace and a picnic table.

The campsite also has a landfill for self-propelled trailers and is available on the principle of "first - come, first - service." The maximum stay is two weeks, but the campsites are available for a minimum of three weeks and a maximum of four weeks.

The swimming pool with a capacity of up to 30 people is open every Tuesday and Sunday until mid-August. The bathrooms are then open on Labor Day - only on weekdays, and then on all weekdays, but not on weekends.

During bathing hours, lifeguards are in action and there is a paddling pool with a capacity of up to 30 people, but not every day of the week or weekend.

A small shelter for those who want to escape the sun is located in the middle of the park, just a few meters from the water's edge and a little further from the pool.

Cherokee Lake is a beautiful lake for boating, and there is a commercial marina nearby that offers boat moorings and boat and engine rentals.

Rock fishing is particularly good, and it is not uncommon to catch 20-30 pounds of fish, but a valid Tennessee fishing license is required. There is no parking for fishing and there is a boat start and boat and motor rental nearby. Cherokee Lake offers a beautiful boating lake and a commercial marina nearby, offering boat moorings, boat and motor rental.

The park has two large picnic pavilions, which can be reserved for large groups years in advance.

In the shady areas of the park there are about 78 picnic tables and water cones that can be found in any location. Grills are scattered throughout the area, as well as four picnic tables, but there is no parking.

The shelter overlooks beautiful Cherokee Lake, where you can see beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

In the middle of the shelter there are four barbecues and a toilet, next to it are several picnic tables. The shelter can accommodate 85 - 90 people and in addition to the accommodation there is also a horseshoe pit.

In the middle of the shelter there are four barbecues and nearby there is an outlet for a toilet.

The property has 14 picnic tables and can accommodate about 140 people and is located on the north side of Cherokee Lake, just a few hundred meters from the lake. It is equipped with a tap and there are sockets for toilets nearby, but it is about half a kilometre from a picnic table and a horseshoe pit, not too far away.

For reservations or more information, please contact the park at (888) 787-5555 or the Canadian Park Service at (1) 866-788-4357 or by email.

Panther Creek offers 13 hiking and biking trails, five of which are just trails for $5 apiece.

Motorised vehicles are not allowed to drive on the paths, so experienced mountain bikers are asked to leave their cars there. Less experienced drivers can use the parking spaces in the main car parks and in multi-storey car parks.

Signposts at junctions indicate the name of the path and its distance and can also indicate how far away it is from the connecting road.

The Trout Lily Trail is a 2.0-mile loop developed by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. There is something for every experienced cyclist, but best for those who do not know the way and do not know the old farm roads that were once used.

The Panther Trail starts at the entrance of the park and leads along a 2.5 km loop around the stream and through the forest to a picnic area.

The Norris Blackburn Trail leads about a mile uphill to the wildlife center, and the old wagon path is ideal for the young. Quickly join the Piney Cove Trail, which leads to other bike paths and then to a picnic area at the end of the trail.

The self-guided nature trails were developed by the Friends of the Park and are all flat beds. The Deer Trail is more difficult, but it is a good introduction to the nature of Panther Creek State Park and the Wildlife Center.

The Sink Holes Trail is a 0.6 km loop that passes through seven limestone depressions. The Ore Mining Trail is one of the most popular trails in Panther Creek State Park and the only one in the park.

After climbing the long, steep hills, you will enjoy the Point Lookout Trail, a 1.2 mile loop. The Ridge Crest Trail leads one mile to Cherokee Lake, and it is 400 feet above Cherokee Lake.

There is also a climb back, but it is steep, and it goes steeply up to the top of Cherokee Lake and then down again for another 1.2 miles.

If you need more information about the trails, you can contact the park office at (717) 888-476-5555. It is about 35 miles from the parks in Morristown, and from the east take the 40 at Exit 394 on Highway 11E North.

From the south on I-81, take Exit 12 on Highway 160 and head north on Highway 160 to the park entrance at Exit 394 on Interstate 81.

About 2.5 km to the right, the park borders the New Jersey Turnpike and the Monmouth County line and is about 1 km from the entrance to the national park. From Morristown, you can take Interstate 81 on the north side of the highway to Panther Creek State Park.