Lake Loop Trail - Cove Lake State Park

Cove Lake State Park was initially developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in conjunction with the construction of Norris Dam. IN 1937 Cove Lake State Park, along with Norris Dam State Park and Big Ridge State Park, formed the nucleus of the Tennessee State Parks. We walked a short loop trail in early October 2018. The paved trail included a 0.60-mile loop along with a 0.25-mile access that has to be walked twice for a total walk of 1.1 miles. There is virtually no elevation gain along the route.

Typical "trail" conditions

View west to Cross Mountain

Another view of Cross Mountain

Approaching the loop junction

A small embayment of the lake

Trail bridge over the mouth of the embayment

Still water in the embayment from the bridge

Cove Lake and Cross Mountain

A different perspective

Continuing around the loop

The southern end of Fork Mountain

A closer view

Fork Mountain with Cross Mountain in the distance

Cross Mountain

Reflections

Entrance to all Tennessee State Parks is free.

The park website is https://tnstateparks.com/parks/cove-lake.