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Places › Big Ridge State Park
Big Ridge State Park is a Tennessee state park in Maynardville, Union County, in our Knoxville Area region. Entry to every Tennessee state park is free, per the state parks FAQ. The park page lists birding, boating, camping and fishing. Overnight options on its page: camping and cabins. Read from the official page on October 30, 2026.
- EntryFreeper the state parks FAQ
- Activities7listed on its page
- Stay OvernightCamping and cabinson the park page
- DogsOn a leashstatewide policy, see below
- Cabins Closed Due to Construction. All cabins are expected to reopen on April 1, 2027. We will open up cabin reservations soon. Please check back often. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our facilities.
Closures change. Check the official park page the day you go.
What to Do at Big Ridge State Park
The park page lists these activities: birding, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, paddling and swimming. The page shows a short list with a Show More button, so the park may offer more.
Amenities on the park page: amphitheater, basketball, beach, bike trails, birding, boat ramp, boat rentals, boat access, cabins, campground, canoe access, ev charging, fishing, gift shop, trails, laundromat, paddle rentals, playground, rental venue, swimming, tennis, visitor center and volleyball.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Entry is free; camping, cabins, reservations and some programs cost extra.
Free to enterBring the Dog?
Leashed dogs are allowed in most of the park; not in lodges, cabins or swim areas.
Rules belowMake It a Trip
Museum of Appalachia is about 10 miles away (straight line).
4 places within 25 miles
Coming Up Near Big Ridge State Park
None of the events on our checked calendar name Big Ridge State Park right now. The official site lists everything that is on. See every Tennessee event we have checked.
Also see Knoxville Area Events.
Fees
Tennessee state parks do not charge an entry fee: the state parks FAQ says all state parks are free to enter. Camping, cabins, shelters, tours and some programs are booked and paid for separately.
Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide lists every park side by side.
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Tennessee State Parks allow dogs and cats on a leash or otherwise restrained. They are not allowed in lodges and cabins (except designated pet rooms), public eating places, food stores or designated swimming beaches and pools. A park may post trails closed to pets. This is the statewide policy. This park page does not state a different rule.
- Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park (865-992-5523) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address1015 Big Ridge Park Road, Maynardville, TN 37807
- Park phone865-992-5523
- Reservations phone1-888-867-2757 (state parks reservations line, printed on the park page)
- Map point36.26274,-83.91860. Latitude and longitude printed on the park’s own page. Directions in Google Maps
- Official pagetnstateparks.com/parks/big-ridge
Places Near Big Ridge State Park
- 1Museum of AppalachiaAttractionabout 10 mi
- 2Norris Dam State ParkState Parkabout 11 mi
- 3Cove Lake State ParkState Parkabout 17 mi
- 4Zoo KnoxvilleAttractionabout 18 mi
- 5Seven Islands State Birding ParkState Birding Parkabout 25 mi
- 6American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE)Attractionabout 25 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Big Ridge State Park?
Entering is free: the Tennessee State Parks FAQ says there is no access fee at any state park. Camping, cabins, shelters, tours and reservations cost extra where the park offers them.
Are dogs allowed at Big Ridge State Park?
Dogs on a leash are allowed under the statewide policy, except in lodges and cabins (outside designated pet rooms), eating places, food stores and swim areas. The park may post trails closed to pets.
What time does Big Ridge State Park close?
The text of the park page does not print day-use hours, so we cannot state them (a linked FAQ PDF may; check it). Call the park (865-992-5523) or check the official page.
Can I camp at Big Ridge State Park?
The park page lists camping and cabins. Reserve on the official page or by phone at 1-888-867-2757.
Are strollers allowed at Big Ridge State Park?
Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call before you go.
What We Could Not Verify
- Day-use hours are not printed in the text of the park page. Some parks link a FAQ PDF that may list them; check those PDFs.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the park page.
- Closures and alerts change at short notice; the notice above is a snapshot.
- The county (Union) is not stated on the park page; we added it from the town and have not confirmed it.
Sources
- Big Ridge State Park on Tennessee State Parks (read 2026-10-30)
- Tennessee State Parks FAQ: entry is free (read 2026-10-30)
- Tennessee State Parks policies: pets (read 2026-10-30)
Last checked October 30, 2026 by the It’s Tennessee editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's Tennessee, “Big Ridge State Park”, itstennessee.com/places/big-ridge/ (updated ). By the It's Tennessee editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.