The legends of Panther Springs are many and
often include a mysterious Colonel Bradley who upon early exploration of
the area was threatened by a panther at the cool waters of the spring
and shot it dead. The reminders of earlier times can be seen at
the old springhouse located 1 1/2 miles from the park entrance,
forgotten civil war headstones and the moss covered foundations from
family farms located on the current park property.
Beginning in 1965, the state of Tennessee
began acquiring local farmland to develop Panther Creek State Park.
Covering approximately 1,435 acres of land, the park's namesake meanders
through the rolling hills and valleys emptying into the Cherokee Lake
Reservoir, an impoundment of the Holston River.
Nestled in the shadow of the Great Smoky
Mountains, the park offers a relaxed vacation from the
fast pace of everyday life. White-tailed deer, beaver, screech
owls and bald eagles bring sharp-eyed visitors an extra special treat
while hiking, biking, horse riding, camping or fishing. The whir
of the mountain bikes or the soft clop of horse hooves can be heard
between the hardwood and limestone covered hills.
Panther Creek State Park and Friends welcomes you to
stay with us a while and enjoy the history and hometown hospitality we
have to offer, with high speed internet to play lottery games online.
Panther
Creek is a rustic park located on the Morristown side of Cherokee
Lake. The 1,400 plus acres representing the park consists of
mostly wooded, rolling terrain. For more information call the
park office at 423-587-7046 or visit