Panther Creek For Educators
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.
Panther Creek Educator Programs
Want a fun way to get your students excited about learning? Why not learn with a Park Ranger?
Tennessee State Parks offer accessible, discovery-based educational experiences aligned with Tennessee’s academic standards. Choose a program for your class, plan your day at a park, and request an experience today.
Our Programs
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Field Trips
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School Outreach
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Self-guided/Teacher-led
Panther Creek State Park Programs
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Meet a Ranger
Who are Rangers? What do they do? Find out! It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and education to be a Park Ranger. Join us today to explore a day in the life of a Tennessee State Park Ranger!
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 100 students
Cost: $0/student -
Snakes
Meet the snakes of Panther Creek! The snakes at our park display beautiful examples of species-specific adaptations. Students will explore native snakes—their traits, habitats, and how humans impact their environment. Join us today and turn fear into curiosity!
Meets: 2.L51.1-2, 3.LS1.1, 5.LS11
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Owls
Whoooo is making all that noise? Learn more about Tennessee's owls and the exciting characteristics that set them apart from one another while discussing how humans impact birds of prey in wild habitats.
Meets: 2.L51.2, 3.L.S4.2, 5.LS1
Location: Park or School
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 60 students
Cost: $0/student -
Wildlife Mystery Box
Feathers and skulls and pelts, oh my! What better way to celebrate Tennessee than through learning about its native wildlife? Students will explore the characteristics of different animals that call Tennessee home.
Meets: K.ESS31, 2.LS11-2, 2.L.S2.1-2, 3.LS11, 3.LS4.2
Location: Park or school
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 40 students
Cost: $0/student -
Guided Hike
Join a ranger on a 1.5-mile hike on our Road to Recycling trail. We will identify various plants and wildlife. Students will learn the importance of plants and animals to the park's ecosystem and why we should protect them. Students should wear appropriate closed-toe footwear and have personal water.
Terrain: Mostly flat, packed soil trail
Grade Levels: All grade levels
Location: Park only
Length: 45 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $2/student -
Creek Critters Crawl
Cool off and explore Panther Creek! Using various nets, buckets, and tools, students will examine the biodiversity in the creek and learn how to identify the freshwater creatures. Students will also learn about indicators of stream health.
Meets: 2.L.S1.2, 4.L.S2.2&4
Location: Park
Length: 1 hour
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $1/student
How To Request a Program
Program requests use the same form whether you are requesting funding support or not. Once you have submitted the form, allow 10 days for processing. Request educational program experiences at least four to six weeks in advance of the desired time frame for the program.
To complete the form:
Funding Assistance
Field trip funding may be available to remove barriers to participation.
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy (501-C3) assists schools in covering the costs of scheduled programs at a Tennessee State Park. Funds can cover bus transportation costs, park program fees, and park shelter rentals. Partial funds may be awarded. Awards are given after the field trip is completed.
When applying for a program, select “yes” on the application form if you are interested in receiving funding support.
What’s Next?
Submitting the form begins the scheduling and funding process.
The request will be in Pending status until confirmed. Allow 10 days for processing. A park staff member will email confirmation of the program and notify you of any park-related fees.
If you requested funding, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Director will email the decision to award or deny funding. Funding is processed after the program as a reimbursement. Partial funds may be awarded. In this case, the school will be responsible for any costs above the amount written in the award email.
Submitting for Funding Reimbursement
To receive reimbursement, you must provide the following documentation:
- Bus invoice
- Park invoice
- Photos
- Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
- Student and teacher feedback
Contact Information
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Gina Hancock, Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Directorgina.hancock@tnstateparksconservancy.org