Big Ridge State Park, State park in Union County, Tennessee.
Big Ridge State Park is a 3,687-acre forest reserve with hiking trails, a 49-acre lake, and several mountain ridges in eastern Tennessee. The terrain offers varied routes through different woodlands, along waterways, and over elevated points with views across the surrounding area.
The park was created in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and equipped with recreational facilities. This project was part of broader efforts to restore forests and provide economic support to workers during difficult times.
The park maintains several historic structures including the Norton Cemetery and the Sharps Station site that reflect early Tennessee settlement patterns.
The park has about 15 miles of hiking trails at varying difficulty levels, and boat rentals are available from April through October. Camping areas with basic amenities are spread throughout the grounds, and access is via a mainly paved road from the nearby town.
Beneath the lake's surface lie remains of settlements that existed before the Tennessee Valley Authority created the Norris reservoir in the 1930s. These submerged traces tell the story of people who had to leave their land to make room for a major infrastructure project.
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