|
Friday, August 1st
9:00 AM
Compass Program – Visitor’s Center – Do you get lost
easily? Want to learn how to find your way with a map and
compass? Join the ranger at the Visitor’s Center for an
introduction to map and compass. We will then use our new skills
outside to complete an orienteering course.
2:00 PM
Backpacking Basics – Campground Amphitheater – Have you
ever wanted to go backpacking but just didn’t know where to
begin? Well, here’s your chance to learn the basic equipment
needs and safety tips for a successful backpacking trip.
Saturday, August 2nd
9:00 AM
Nature Identification Hike – Ranger Station – Join
the Ranger on a hike along the Wagon Trail as we search for
plants, trees, and wildlife. Test your outdoor knowledge and see
if you can identify what we find during this fun and informative
program.
1:00 PM
Creek Stomp – Creek Observation Deck – Join us as
we search for aquatic insects, fish, reptiles and anything else
interesting we can find in and along the banks of Panther Creek.
We will discuss what we find and determine the cleanliness of
Panther Creek. Please wear water shoes and prepare to get wet.
2:30 PM
Animal Tracking – Ranger Station – Is that a
raccoon or opossum track? We’ll learn how to tell the
difference as we cover the basics of track identification.
Please wear old shoes, as we will be searching for tracks along
the muddy banks of Panther Creek and Cherokee Lake.
Sunday, August 3rd
2:00 PM
Afternoon Bike Ride – Ranger Station – Lets go on
a relaxing bike ride along the Wagon Trail to see what we can
find. Along the way we will talk about some of the ways pioneers
traveled along the trails.
6:00 PM
Ridgecrest Trail Hike – Smallman Shelter – If you are
looking for a workout, this hike is for you! This strenuous
trail will lead us down Hunt Knob Ridge to the lake and offers a
number of amazing views. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and
bring drinking water.
8:30 PM
Night Canoe Trip – Boat Ramp – Float down and meet the
ranger for a great time on Cherokee Lake. We will provide the
boats, paddles and lifejackets. You should bring a friend and
call the Visitor’s Center for reservations. Limit 15 per
trip. Please call 423-587-7046 for reservations.
Wednesday, August 6th
9:00 AM
History Hike – Spoone Shelter Parking Lot – Join
us for a hike along the Ore Mine Loop trail as we learn about
local history. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes or boots, as
this hike is moderately difficult hike.
11:00 AM
Creek Stomp – Creek Observation Deck – Join us as we
search for aquatic insects, fish, reptiles and anything else
interesting we can find in and along the banks of Panther Creek.
We will discuss what we find and determine the cleanliness of
Panther Creek. Please wear water shoes and prepare to get wet.
2:00 PM
Outdoor Guide – Campground Amphitheater – Learn some
skills you can use if you are out in the woods and some general
outdoor safety tips. We will also discuss how to start fires as
well as some gear to carry with you outside.
5:00 PM
Canoe Trip – Boat Ramp – Float down and meet the ranger
for a great time on Cherokee Lake. We will provide the boats,
paddles, and lifejackets. You should bring a friend and call the
Visitor’s Center for reservations. Limit 15 per trip.
Please call 423-587-7046 for reservations.
Thursday, August 7th
9:00 AM
Compass Program – Visitor’s Center – Do you get lost
easily? Want to learn how to find your way with a map and
compass? Join the ranger at the Visitor’s Center for an
introduction to map and compass. We will then use our new skills
outside to complete an orienteering course.
11:00 AM
Geology Hike – Seven Sinkholes Trailhead – Lets go on a
geology hike along the Seven Sinkholes Trail to see and discuss
some interesting geological formations.
2:00 PM
Afternoon Hike – Boat Ramp – Join the Ranger on a hike
along the scenic Trout Lily Trail. We will discuss what we find
along our journey. Remember to wear sturdy shoes and bring water
on this moderately difficult two-mile hike.
3:00 PM
Tree
Identification Hike-
Ranger Station- Is
that a Hickory or a Maple Tree? Come find out the
difference and how to identify several of our most common trees
in East Tennessee. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and bring
drinking water.
6:30 PM
Music in the Park – Spoone Shelter – The West Hamblen
Fire Department and the Friends of Panther Creek State Park will
host the “Music in the Park” series at the Spoone Pavilion each
Thursday this August. Anyone who would like to sing or play an
instrument is welcome to join in the music making. This free
family event will continue each Thursday this summer. Please
join us for some good music, snacks and fun.
Friday, August 8th
9:00 AM
Geology Hike – Seven Sinkholes Trailhead – Lets go on a
geology hike along the Seven Sinkholes Trail to see and discuss
some interesting geological formations.
11:00 AM
Nature Identification Hike – Ranger Station – Join
the Ranger on a hike along the Wagon Trail as we search for
plants, trees, and wildlife. Test your outdoor knowledge and see
if you can identify what we find during this fun and informative
program.
2:00 PM
Afternoon Bike Ride – Ranger Station – Lets go on
a relaxing bike ride along the Wagon Trail to see what we can
find. Along the way we will talk about some of the ways pioneers
traveled along the trails.
4:00 PM
Knot-Tying – Ranger Station – Join us as we learn to tie
basic knots. This very practical skill can be used in a variety
of situations.
6:00 PM
Snake Program – Upper Campground Pavilion –
Slither your way up to meet Wilbur the Corn Snake as we learn
about the many great snakes of east Tennessee. We’ll learn how
snakes benefit the environment and us during this educational
program.
Saturday, August 9th
10:00 AM
Compass Program – Visitor’s Center – Do you get lost
easily? Want to learn how to find your way with a map and
compass? Join the ranger at the Visitor’s Center for an
introduction to map and compass. We will then use our new skills
outside to complete an orienteering course.
1:00 PM
Creek Stomp – Creek Observation Deck – Join us as
we search for aquatic insects, fish, reptiles and anything else
interesting we can find in and along the banks of Panther Creek.
We will discuss what we find and determine the cleanliness of
Panther Creek. Please wear water shoes and prepare to get wet.
2:00 PM
Four-Legged Friend Hike – Ranger Station – Bring your
best friend and join in the fun. This is great way to walk
through the woods. Good for all ages. Don’t forget your best
friends leash.
7:00 PM
Photography Hike – Seven Sinkholes Trailhead – Grab your
camera and join in as we discuss tips to take better
photographs. We’ll then head off along the Sinkholes Trail to
see what our cameras can capture. Please wear sturdy walking
shoes or boots.
Sunday, August 10th
2:00 PM
Wilderness Survival – Seven Sinkholes Trailhead –
Join the ranger for a quick look into wilderness survival as we
discuss various tips on how to survive in a worst-case scenario.
We will talk about the best ways to get out and make a guide on
what to do first.
6:00 PM
Photography Hike – Picnic Area # 2 (located immediately
atop the mountain on park roadway) – Grab your camera and
join in as we discuss tips to take better photographs. We’ll
then head off along the Point Lookout Trail to see what our
cameras can capture. Please wear sturdy walking shoes or boots.
8:30 PM
Night Canoe Trip – Boat Ramp – Float down and meet the
ranger for a great time on Cherokee Lake. We will provide the
boats, paddles and lifejackets. You should bring a friend and
call the Visitor’s Center for reservations. Limit 15 per
trip. Please call 423-587-7046 for reservations.
Wednesday, August 13th
9:00 AM
Fire Building – Upper Campground Pavilion – Let’s build a
fire then learn how to be safe with fire around the woods.
1:00 PM
Nature Identification Hike – Ranger Station – Join
the Ranger on a hike along the Wagon Trail as we search for
plants, trees, and wildlife. Test your outdoor knowledge and see
if you can identify what we find during this fun and informative
program.
2:00 PM
Canoe Trip – Boat Ramp – Float down and meet the ranger
for a great time on Cherokee Lake. We will provide the boats,
paddles, and lifejackets. You should bring a friend and call the
Visitor’s Center for reservations. Limit 15 per trip.
Please call 423-587-7046 for reservations.
3:00 PM
Wildlife Mystery Box – Campground Amphitheater – Reach
into our Wildlife Mystery Box to discover many interesting items
that can be found only in nature during this fun, educational
and interactive program for children.
6:00 PM
Snake Program – Campground Amphitheater – Slither your
way up to meet Wilbur the Corn Snake as we learn about the many
great snakes of east Tennessee. We’ll learn how snakes benefit
the environment and us during this educational program.
7:00 PM
Tree Identification Hike – Ranger Station – Is that a
Hickory or a Maple tree? Come find out the difference and
how to identify several of the most common trees of east
Tennessee. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and bring drinking
water.
Thursday, August 14th
9:00 AM
Canoe Trip – Boat Ramp – Float down and meet the ranger
for a great time on Cherokee Lake. We will provide the boats,
paddles and lifejackets. You should bring a friend and call the
Visitor’s Center for reservations. Limit 15 per trip.
Please call 423-587-7046 for reservations.
11:00 AM
Creek Stomp – Creek Observation Deck – Join us as
we search for aquatic insects, fish, reptiles and anything else
interesting we can find in and along the banks of Panther Creek.
We will discuss what we find and determine the cleanliness of
Panther Creek. Please wear water shoes and prepare to get wet.
1:30 PM
Animal Tracking – Ranger Station – Is that a
raccoon or opossum track? We’ll learn how to tell the
difference as we cover the basics of track identification.
Please wear old shoes, as we will be searching for tracks along
the muddy banks of Panther Creek and Cherokee Lake.
3:00 PM
Cardio Hike – Spoone Shelter Parking Lot – Join us for
some mid-day exercise as we walk at a semi-brisk pace along the
Ore Mine Trail. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and bring
drinking water as this is a moderately difficult trail.
6:30 PM
Music in the Park – Spoone Shelter – The West
Hamblen Fire Department and the Friends of Panther Creek State
Park will host the “Music in the Park” series at the Spoone
Pavilion each Thursday this August. Anyone who would like to
sing or play an instrument is welcome to join in the music
making. This week we will feature a special performance by the
Stony Creek Cloggers. This free family event will continue each
Thursday this summer. Please join us for some good
music,
snacks and fun.
Friday, August 15th
9:00 AM
Geology Hike – Seven Sinkholes Trailhead – Lets go on a
geology hike along the Seven Sinkholes Trail to see and discuss
some interesting geological formations.
11:00 AM
Outdoor Safety – Creek Observation Deck – Let’s discuss
what to do to stay safe in the outdoors and what you can do if
you encounter a problem.
2:00 PM
Edible Plant Hike – Ranger Station – Lets visit the great
outdoor supermarket in search of edible wild plants, nuts and
fruits. We’ll identify wild foods Native Americans and pioneers
ate centuries ago as we take a leisurely stroll along the Wagon
Trail.
Saturday, August 16th
9:00 AM
Nature Identification Hike – Ranger Station – Join
the Ranger on a hike along the Wagon Trail as we search for
plants, trees, and wildlife. Test your outdoor knowledge and see
if you can identify what we find during this fun and informative
program.
11:00 AM
Outdoor Guide– Campground Amphitheater – Learn some
skills you can use if you are out in the woods and also some
general outdoor safety tips. We will also discuss how to start
fires as well as some gear to carry with you outside.
2:00 PM
Norris Blackburn Trail Hike – Norris Blackburn Trailhead
– Lets use our senses to find wildlife along the Norris
Blackburn Trail. This is a great trail with a moderately steep
ascent to the park’s wildlife observation deck. Don’t forget to
bring some water and wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots.
Sunday, August 17th
2:00 PM
Creek Stomp – Creek Observation Deck – Join us as
we search for aquatic insects, fish, reptiles and anything else
interesting we can find in and along the banks of Panther Creek.
We will discuss what we find and determine the cleanliness of
Panther Creek. Please wear water shoes and prepare to get wet.
6:30 PM
Canoe Trip – Boat Ramp – Float down and meet the ranger
for a great time on Cherokee Lake. We will provide the boats,
paddles and lifejackets. You should bring a friend and call the
Visitor’s Center for reservations. Limit 15 per trip.
Please call 423-587-7046 for reservations.
9:00 PM
Night Hike – Seven Sinkholes Trail – Lets listen for
things that go bump in the night. See if you can identify what
makes those nighttime sounds. Meet the Ranger at the trailhead
for this fun program. Remember to bring your flashlight and a
friend! |