Pickwick Landing State Park

Named for a 19th century riverboat stop, Pickwick Landing State Park was once the living area for construction crews who worked on the Tennessee Valley Authority dams. The TVA Village for crews and their families was located where the post office, park office and park day use areas are now. The State of Tennessee purchased all 681 acres of Pickwick from TVA in 1969 and added on to increase the park to the 1,400 acres it includes today. From its forested hills and hollows to its fish-filled lake and championship golf course, Pickwick Landing is one of the most visited parks in the system. Pickwick Lake is known for an abundance of ...

Named for a 19th century riverboat stop, Pickwick Landing State Park was once the living area for construction crews who worked on the Tennessee Valley Authority dams. The TVA Village for crews and their families was located where the post office, park office and park day use areas are now. The State of Tennessee purchased all 681 acres of Pickwick from TVA in 1969 and added on to increase the park to the 1,400 acres it includes today. From its forested hills and hollows to its fish-filled lake and championship golf course, Pickwick Landing is one of the most visited parks in the system. Pickwick Lake is known for an abundance of smallmouth bass and Tennessee River catfish, as well as crappie, bluegill, white bass, stripers and sauger. All types of boating is permitted at Pickwick Landing and boats up to 60 feet can be launched during the summer. The marina has boat slips and boat storage with no charge for temporary docking.

The Park Inn has a restaurant, gift shop and 119 guest rooms, all overlooking beautiful Pickwick Lake. Cabins and campsites also are available. Golfers can hit the links at the park’s par 72, 18-hole golf Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course, where every hole is tree-lined. Opened in 1973, the golf course has water on eight holes and 21 bunkers around the course. Hikers can enjoy the Island Loop Trail, which winds almost three miles through lovely hardwood forests along the river. Curious about the wildlife, trees and plants in the state park? The park office offers nature hikes, bird and snake programs and tree identification presentations throughout the year and will arrange special programs, no matter how small the group.

About the Expert

Jackie Sheckler Finch has written several guidebooks, including The Unofficial Guide to Campgrounds in the Great Lakes States, and four times she was named Travel Writer of the Year by Midwest Travel Writers Association.