Norris Dam Birding
Notification Alert

Campgrounds Closed for Renovations

Norris Dam State Park

The East and West Campgrounds are currently closed for renovation with an intended reopening in 2026. 

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Trailhead Temporarily Closed Due to Construction

Norris Dam State Park

Due to construction associated with the campground renovation on the west side of the park, the trailhead at the Canteen Camp Store is currently inaccessible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and please contact the park office if you have any questions.

  • several birds standing on rocks that are above water
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    Heron flying over water with fish in beak.

    Birding at Norris Dam 

    Waterfowl, great blue and green herons, gulls, osprey and bald eagle frequent the lake, and the forests harbor great numbers of migratory birds in the spring and fall.

    eBird lists 131 species recorded at the park, while the Songbird Trail on nearby TVA property has over 180 species. There are multiple birding hot spots on eBird for Norris Dam and the adjoining TVA property. From summertime residents to winter-time woodpeckers and waterfowl to spring and fall migrants, Norris Dam offers unique year-round opportunities for the birding novice or enthusiast. Below the dam, look for orchard and northern orioles, eastern bluebirds, sparrows, and tree swallows. 

    Featured Birds

    • Eastern Whip-poor-will
    • Barred Owl
    • Great Horned Owl
    • Eastern Screech-Owl
    • Red-tailed Hawk
    • Sharp-shinned Hawk
    • Cooper’s Hawk
    • Hairy Woodpecker
    • Downy Woodpecker
    • Pileated Woodpecker
    • White-breasted Nuthatch
    • Carolina Chickadee
    • Tufted Titmouse
    • Eastern Phoebe
    • Wild Turkey
    • Canada Goose
    • Mallard
    • American Coot
    • Bald Eagle
    • Belted Kingfisher
    • Great Blue Heron
    • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
    • American Crow
    • White-breasted Nuthatch
    • Black Vulture
    • Scarlet Tanager
    • Field Sparrow
    • Northern Mockingbird
    • Cliff Swallow
    • Mourning Dove
    • Yellow-throated Warbler
    • Northern Cardinal
    • Brown Thrasher
    • Blue Jay
    • Northern Mockingbird
    • American Robin
    • Purple Finch
    • American Goldfinch
    • Killdeer
    • American Kestrel
    • Eastern Bluebird
    • Eastern Wood-Pewee
    • Great Crested Flycatcher
    • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
    • Orchard Oriole
    • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
    • Hermit Thrush
    • Cedar Waxwing
    • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
    • Least Flycatcher
    • White-breasted Nuthatch
    • Great Horned Owl
    • Plovers
    • Sandpipers
    • Marsh Wren
    • Swainson’s Thrush
    • Philadelphia Vireo
    • Merlin
    • Eastern Phoebe
    • Eastern Kingbird
    • Ducks
    • Willow Flycatcher
    • Double-crested Cormorant
    • Osprey
    • Lesser Yellowlegs
    • Greater Yellowlegs

    Birding Locations

    A hiking map is available at the park.

      • ribbon cutting for park

      Hootin Hollow Trail

      Featured birds: Eastern Whip-poor-will, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Red-tailed Hawk
      West Side: Andrews Ridge Trail System. This trail starts at west campsite #26 along a ridgetop of oak-hickory forest and is for night birding hikes since it parallels high above a lake cove. Derives its name from the common call of the barred owls that can be heard as you hike.
      • ribbon cutting for park

      Marine Railway Trail

      Featured birds: Owls, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey, Pileated Woodpecker, Canada Goose
      West Side: Harmon Picnic Area Blazed Black This trail is accessible from the cabins area on Village Green Road at 1,360 feet elevation and drops down to the lake at 1,040 feet elevation through oak-hickory forest, an open area along a power line and the lakeshore. This trail is the park’s most diverse trail. Parking: Please do not park on road shoulders or grassy areas. Parking areas include the canteen, tennis court parking lot, and Marine Railway trailhead off HWY 441.
      • ribbon cutting for park

      Elkins Trail

      Featured birds: Northern Cardinal, Brown Thrasher, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird
      West Side: Andrews Ridge Trail System This trail starts from Andrews Ridge Road near the West Campground descending 380 feet to the lakeshore and travels through ridgetop oak-hickory forest, open power lines, and lakeshore.
      • ribbon cutting for park

      Lakeview Trail

      Featured birds: Owls, Woodpecker, Ducks, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk

      The forested trail is accessible from the Historic CCC Cabins area and parallels the lakeshore with splendid views of Norris Lake.  

      • ribbon cutting for park

      TVA Songbird Trail

      Featured birds: Owls, Warblers, Vireos, Sparrows, Kinglets
      This trail is paved with crushed, packed, limestone gravel making it a great trail and is also a birder's paradise. Over 180 species of birds have been observed throughout the year. Along the trail are various tree orchards and several different species of birds. For walking or running use only.
      • ribbon cutting for park

      Sharps Ridge Memorial Park Overlook

      Featured birds: Warblers, Vireos, Thrushes, Tanagers, Woodpecker

      This 111-acre park is designated as a bird sanctuary by City of Knoxville and is one of the best places in the Knoxville region to observe migrant songbirds during the spring. Nearly 150 species of birds identified.  

      City of Knoxville Page
      • A winding path with a wooden fence leads to a lush green hill beside a tranquil lake under a partly cloudy sky, evoking a peaceful, serene atmosphere.

      Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery Entrance

      Featured birds: Warblers, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Herons, Swainson’s Thrush

      The fish hatchery is operated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for rearing cool water fish and is also a productive place for shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl. Nearly 200 species of birds have been identified.

      Hours:
      Monday - Friday 
      8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

      Fishing in Tennessee

    Responsible Birding

    • Do not endanger the welfare of birds.
    • Tread lightly and respect bird habitat.
    • Silence is golden.
    • Do not use electronic sound devices to attract birds during nesting season, May-July.
    • Take extra care when in a nesting area.
    • Always respect the law and the rights of others, violators subject to prosecution.
    • Do not trespass on private property.
    • Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes.
    • Limit group sizes in areas that are not conducive to large crowds.
    • Brown bird flying with wings spread against a green blurred background.

    Helpful Birding Links

    Discover More at Norris Dam

    Visit the Gift Shops

    Norris Dam State Park has two gift shops.

      • Rustic wooden mill with waterwheel, surrounded by lush trees and stone steps.

      Grist Mill Gift Shop

      The Grist Mill Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.

      Address:
      Lower Clear Creek Rd, Norris TN, 37828

      Hours:
      Seasonal

      • Visitor Center with stairs, surrounded by trees and greenery. Overcast sky.

      Park Headquarters Gift Shop

      The Park Headquarters Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.

      Address:
      125 Village Green Circle, Rocky Top TN, 37769

      Hours: 
      8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

    No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.

    Find More Events

    More Parks with Birding

    Other Activities at Norris Dam State Park