Cove Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located in Caryville TN, Cove Lake State Park encompasses 606 acres on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau. Scenic nature trails, over 100 campsites, and numerous outdoor activities draw visitors to this park located on the shores of Cove Lake. The park is situated in the Powell Valley, which separates the Cumberland Mountains from the Appalachian Ridge. Some of the most popular activities in the park include fishing, paddling, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Cove Lake State Park is also close enough to the Great Smoky Mountains and some of Tennessee's most popular resort towns that there are some good day trip options as well.
Cities Nearby:
Knoxville, TN
Jacksboro, TN
Gatlinburg, TN
Pigeon Forge, TN
Spring 48-71 F
Summer 67-86 F
Fall 51-70 F
Winter 31-47 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cove Lake State Park
Campground Accommodations
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Max RV Length: 70 feet
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Picnic pavilions and tables, restrooms, showers, a camp store on-site, dump station, heat, ADA accessible, big-rig friendly
Cove Lake State Park Campground
Cove Lake State Park Campground offers 106 RV campsites, many of which provide pull-through capability. Rigs up to 40 feet in length are welcome in the campground. Some sites are narrow, so research your chosen site before making a reservation. The park is one of the finer state-operated campgrounds in Tennessee with added amenities like a swimming pool, a boat ramp for lake access, and two warm shower bathhouses. While the hiking trails inside the park are short, they connect to the Cumberland Trail that traverses the Cumberland Mountain range, providing access to many of the mountaintops observed from the park. A camp store provides the essentials every camper needs and the fishing in the lake is exceptional.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: No, but a dump station is on the site
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables
Fee: $21 to $40 per night
The Ridges at Royal Blue
The Ridges at Royal Blue offers 30 RV campsites, but only two are pull-through. Each campsite is 40 feet in width providing plenty of space to deploy any slide-outs your rig may support and still give you plenty of room to spread out. The maximum length of a campsite is 80 feet, so even the longest rigs find a home at this campground. These sites are situated in an area with easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and ATV trails.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, fire rings, picnic tables, dump station, laundry facilities
Fee: $50 to $65 per night
Anderson County Park
Anderson County Park offers 12 temporary RV campsites, all of which are back-ins. The maximum length of RV accommodated in this park is 40 feet. Showers, restrooms, and laundry are ADA accessible. The park occupies 196 acres alongside Norris Lake. A boat ramp provides easy access to the lake with excellent fishing. Canoeing, boating, and kayaking are among the favorite activities guests enjoy. A playground, a swimming hole, and a horseshoe pit are available for kids and adults.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50
Sewer Hookup: No
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, fire rings, picnic tables, a laundry facility, a dump station
Fee: $21 per night
What to Do at
Cove Lake State Park
Some of the most popular activities to do at Cove Lake State Park center around the 210-acre lake after which the park is named. Personal canoes and kayaks are permitted, and you can also rent single and tandem kayaks at the park. There is an $8 launch fee that must be paid upon entry, and the rentals for each kayak are the same price. Many visitors to the park enjoy fishing, and there are various species in Cove Lake including bass, bluegill, and crappie. In addition to fishing, many visitors to Cove Lake State Park also enjoy hiking, camping, and biking.
Inside Cove Lake State Park
Cove Lake State Park offers 7 miles of hiking trails, 3 miles of which are paved to accommodate ADA access, bicycle, and hiking traffic. The Cumberland Trail swings close to the north side of the park, allowing more ambitious hikers the chance to visit distant sites before returning to their campground. The swimming pool at the park is lifeguarded and open during the summer months. A boat ramp allows easy access to Cove Lake and the bluegill, bass, and crappie that populate it. The lake serves as a temporary preserve for migrating bird populations.
Fishing
Fishing is available throughout the 210-acre lake. You can fish from the banks, paddle out on a kayak, or rent a rowboat from the Visitor’s Center.
Geocaching
There are multiple geocaching opportunities at Cove Lake State Park. Geocachers of all experience levels can find opportunities tailored to their skill sets.
Nature Watching
Nature watching is one of the most popular activities to do at Cove Lake State Park. Whether you are looking over the lake or hiking through the wooded areas close by, you can find a lot of great photo opportunities and breathtaking views.
Stargazing
The park is mostly wooded, but many of the campsites and areas around the lake offer a great view of the night sky. Cove Lake State Park is far enough away from any big city to prevent much light pollution, and the mountain scenery close by adds to the stargazing experience.
Hiking
There are more than seven miles of hiking trails throughout Cove Lake State Park, and more than three miles of those trails are paved. The three most popular hiking loops are Volunteer Trail, Paved Trail, and Dam Trail. Most of the trails are geared toward easy hikes, but Volunteer Trail is a little more difficult.
Boating
No personally owned boats are permitted into Cove Lake State Park. There are row boats and paddle boats available for either daily or half-day rentals, but no gas-powered boats are allowed on the lake.
Swimming
You can swim in the lake, but there is also a large pool located within the park. There are designated swimming areas in Cove Lake, and it is recommended that you only swim within those designated areas.
Biking
There is a paved bike trail that goes more than three miles through the park and along the lake. It is a great bike trail for beginners and allows riders to see most of Cove Lake State Park.
How to Get to
Cove Lake State Park
Cove Lake State Park is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Knoxville, TN on US Highway 25 NW. From I-75, you get off on Exit 134 and travel a half mile down Veterans Memorial Highway. Take your first left turn to Veterans Memorial and you will find the entrance to the park.
Entering Cove Lake State Park
There is plenty of parking throughout the park with lake access. There is a wildlife observation platform, multiple pavilions, and a restaurant on-site, each with parking available. There is no parking fee at Cove Lake State Park.
Cove Lake State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
With all the outdoor recreation opportunities at Cove Lake State Park, there are many adventures just waiting to be had. Whether you are spending time on the water, the trails, or the campsites, there is something to do for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cove Lake State Park
The best time of the year to visit Cove Lake State Park is in the late spring or summer if you are planning on participating in water activities. If you are planning on hiking, biking, camping, or wildlife viewing, early spring and fall provide great weather for those activities. The leaves change in the fall as well, making the mountain scenery even more breath-taking.
In the winter, numerous Canadian Geese make their home on the shores of Cove Lake. Throughout the rest of the year, birds like orioles, blue-gray gnatcatchers, great blue herons, wood thrushes, warblers, ring-necked ducks, and hooded mergansers can be seen at Cove Lake State Park.
There are 106 RV campsites available for use in Cove Lake State Park. Tents are allowed at each RV site, and each site can accommodate large and small trailers and RVs.
It is recommended that you reserve a spot before arrival, and the fees range between $20 and $45 per night.
Pets are allowed at Cove Lake State Park and even on the shore of Cove Lake as long as they are on a leash no longer than 8 feet. All the trails within the park are also open to pets as long as they are on a leash.
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