Campbell County: Routes, Nature and Culture

Campbell County can be considered from different perspectives when planning a trip: scenic routes, nature activities and culture each offer a different focus. When looking for a hotel, first consider which part of your trip you want to prioritize. Are routes your main focus, or would you rather plan time for hiking trails, water and culture?

Routes and Getting There

Four scenic routes run through Campbell County: The Top Secret Trail, Cumberland Historic Byway, White Lightning Trail and the US Scenic Byway Norris Freeway. The US Scenic Byway Norris Freeway was designated in 2021. Interstate 75 provides access to Campbell County via Exit 160 for Jellico and Exit 134 toward Caryville, Jacksboro and LaFollette. To plan your arrival, you can first use the named destination and the appropriate exit as a guide. The route names and exits serve different purposes: the former identify scenic routes, while the latter provide specific directions to destinations.

Nature, Trails and Water

Fishing is available at the lake in Indian Mountain State Park, which also offers hiking on three trails. This gives you two different activity options: fishing by the water or hiking one of the three trails. The Eagle Bluff Trail begins at a trailhead in Cove Lake State Park. Two different location details are important for orientation here: the three hiking options are in Indian Mountain State Park, while the Eagle Bluff Trail starts in Cove Lake State Park.

At Norris Lake, Lonas Young Memorial Park has a swimming beach. This means different activities can be part of your trip planning: hiking on trails, fishing at the lake and swimming at Norris Lake’s beach. You can choose whether to focus on the trails, fishing or the beach.

Big Creek Gap: Trails and Landscape

Big Creek Gap is located at Tank Springs. It is a Civil War Trails site in Campbell County and also a trailhead for Cumberland Trail State Park. Big Creek Gap is considered one of the region’s few natural openings through the Cumberland Mountains. When planning your trip, the combination of its trail connections and this distinctive landscape makes it a separate point of interest alongside the parks and trails: here, historical significance meets a specific trailhead.

Culture and Orientation

The historic former LaFollette post office was repurposed as Postmark LaFollette. The conversion created a center for arts and culture with an exhibition space and a venue for performances. Its change from a former post office to a cultural center offers a different focus from nature and trail activities.

In the North Cumberland OHV Riding Area, trails have names and numbers, and signs are posted at trailheads. Since signage and access rules may change, check the signs at the trailheads and the rules in effect before riding.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Caryville, Jellico, Pioneer, Tipton, Weakley County, Coffee, Union County, Polk County

For the main travel overview: Tennessee.