Cove Lake State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cove Lake State Park is a popular destination located in Campbell County, Tennessee.
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Summary
It offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. The park covers 673 acres and features a beautiful lake surrounded by rolling hills and forests.
One of the top reasons to visit Cove Lake State Park is its scenic beauty. The park is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species, making it a great place for nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails that lead to stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Another point of interest at Cove Lake State Park is the swimming area. The park features a large swimming pool that is open during the summer months. It's a great place to cool off on a hot day and spend time with family and friends.
Cove Lake State Park also offers camping facilities for those who want to stay overnight. There are over 100 campsites available, ranging from primitive tent camping to RV hookups. The park also has cabins available for rent, which offer a more comfortable camping experience.
Interesting facts about Cove Lake State Park include its history as a former coal mining area. The park was established in 1937 as a part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program. It was originally known as Caryville Lake, but was later renamed Cove Lake.
The best time of year to visit Cove Lake State Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but it can be crowded and hot. Winter is less busy, but the park may be closed due to inclement weather.
Overall, Cove Lake State Park is a beautiful and diverse destination that offers something for everyone. Its scenic beauty, recreational activities, and historical significance make it a must-see attraction in Tennessee.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Cove Lake State Park
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Norris Dam State Park
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West Campground
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East Campground
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Anderson County Park
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Clinton / Knoxville North KOA
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Campbell County Park
Norris Dam State Park
Norris Municipal Park
Chuck Swan State Forest