Panther Creek Birding
Warning Alert
Temporary Road Closure
NOTICE: The park road leading to the Smallman Shelter and overlook will be closed to vehicles from March 1, 2026, through May 15, 2026, while extensive renovations to the Lake Observation Platform are performed. The road to and around the first picnic area island will remain open to visitors and vehicular traffic. Foot travel beyond the closed area is permitted but visitors will not be permitted in the immediate area of the construction site.
Major Improvements at the Park
A capital improvement project to construct a day-use recreation lodge and new playground will begin at the park on Monday, April 13, 2026. The swimming pool parking lot, playground, playground restrooms, beach volleyball and basketball courts will be closed to the public during construction, which is scheduled to be completed by mid-year 2027.
The tennis courts and disc-golf course will remain open but parking for these amenities will be limited to the lots adjacent to the visitor center and Spoone shelter. This project will significantly enhance the quantity and quality of recreational opportunities provided by the park. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete this exciting new project for the benefit of our visitors.
Playground Closed For Renovation
The park playground will be permanently closed to the public beginning Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The existing playground will be removed, and a new playground will be constructed at the park. The new playground is scheduled to be completed by mid-year 2027 and will be a tremendous improvement over the existing playground.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve the park for our visitors. If you have any questions, please contact the park office.
Birding at Panther Creek
The shores and islands of Cherokee Lake at Panther Creek State Park offer great opportunities for seeing wintering waterfowl, osprey, and eagles.
The forest has a good resident population of songbirds as well. Over 125 species of birds have been observed.
Featured Birds
- Wild Turkey
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo
- American Robin
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Indigo Bunting
- American Kestrel
- Belted Kingfisher
- Finches
- Sparrows
- Eastern Wood-Pewee
- Eastern Phoebe
- Cedar Waxwing
- Northern Cardinal
- Northern Mockingbird
- Common Yellowthroat
- Bonaparte's Gull
- Grebes
- Loons
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Canada Goose
- Mallard
- Turkey Vulture
- Black Vulture
- Bald Eagle
- Wood Duck
- Wood Thrush
- Carolina Chickadee
- Tufted Titmouse
- Barn Swallow
- Tree Swallow
- American Crow
- Blue Jay
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Common Nighthawk
- Little Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Grassland Birds
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Killdeer
- Plovers
- Least Sandpiper
- Greater Yellowlegs
- Lesser Yellowlegs
- Short-Billed Dowitcher
- White Ibis
- Sandhill Crane
- Peregrine Falcon
- Wilson's Snipe
- Blue-winged Teal
- Northern Harrier
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Common Grackle
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Swamp Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- Savannah Sparrow
- Vultures
- Woodpecker
Birding Locations
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Panther Path Trail
Featured birds: Wild Turkey, Herons, Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, American RobinPanther Path is an easy 0.9-mile trial loop featuring a series of flat, gently curves and one steep ascent. This trail passes through open fields and shaded stands of hardwood, offering many captivating views of Panther Creek. Panther Path is an excellent trail choice for young bikers and beginning hikers. Panther Path is often combined with the Old Wagon trail to form a 1.9-mile trail loop. -
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Seven Sinkholes Trail
Featured birds: Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Cedar Waxwing, Northern CardinalThis trail meanders past seven distinct sink holes before dipping into a lush valley of cedars and pines. Sinkholes develop when rainfall dissolves the under-layer of porous limestone rock forming cavities. These cavities and depressions within the limestone gradually enlarge creating sinkholes. This easy 0.6-mile trail meanders around seven distinct sinkholes before dipping into a lush valley of cedar and pine. -
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Smallman Area Overlook
Featured birds: Bonaparte's Gull, Grebes, Loons, Double-crested Cormorant, Canada GooseThis is a scenic overlook offering a great view of Cherokee Lake.
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Horse Connector Trail
Featured birds: Wood Duck, Wood Thrush, Warblers, Common Nighthawk, Carolina ChickadeeThe 3.2-mile Maple Arch trail loop is moderately difficult and features sort, steep hills and one very steep ascent. The trail is named for the unique tendency of red and silver maple trees to form arches as they grow over the trail corridor. Much of trail follows the shoreline of Cherokee Lake before sharply ascending River Ridge. The Maple Arch trail is excellent for observing waterfowl and other wildlife and offers many captivating views of Cherokee Lake. -
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Rankin Bottoms WMA Observation Area
Featured birds: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Herons, Killdeer, Greater YellowlegsThis is one of the best sites in East Tennessee for warm season waterbirds. 220 species of birds identified.
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Lick Creek Bottoms WMA
Featured birds: Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, Eastern MeadowlarkThis marshy bottomland is a great place to view waterbirds and song birds. 83 species of birds identified.
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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.
Discover More at Panther Creek
No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.
