How far is Norris Lake from Knoxville?
It depends which end you mean: Norris Lake is about 20 miles north of Knoxville off I-75, but Paradise Point is about 45 to 49 miles from downtown. The lake reaches about 73 miles up the Clinch River and about 56 miles up the Powell, so a distance with no place attached doesn't tell you much.
Visit Knoxville counts Norris among nine lakes within an hour's drive of downtown. Paradise Point, on the Claiborne County side near New Tazewell, is a bit farther out, about 1 hour 10 to 20 minutes by car. Take US-441 north out of the city, then TN-33 through Maynardville to Lone Mountain Road. Your directions arrive before your stay, so follow those for the last few miles.
Flying in? Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is about 61 to 64 miles from Paradise Point, about 1 hour 30 to 50 minutes. Our Norris Lake guide covers lake levels, marinas and more.
How long is the drive from Lexington, Cincinnati or Nashville?
Lexington is about three hours from Paradise Point on Norris Lake, and Cincinnati, Nashville and Atlanta are each about four to five hours. Lexington and Cincinnati come down I-75 and take US-25E at Corbin, then go through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. Nashville takes I-40 east and Atlanta takes I-75 north, and both pick up TN-33 at Knoxville.
The northern route suits a winter weekend from Cincinnati or Lexington, because it has a built-in stop. The National Park Service puts Cumberland Gap 50 miles south of Corbin on US-25E, and you reach the park's visitor center in Middlesboro, Kentucky, before the tunnel. There is no entrance fee. The visitor center is open daily, 9 AM to 4 PM, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, so it closes the same hour check-in starts. It is about 23 miles from Paradise Point, about 38 to 46 minutes. Get there by 3 PM and you can look around and still arrive around check-in.
Drive times from Paradise Point (routing estimates, without traffic):
- Lexington, Kentucky: about 152 to 154 miles, about 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes.
- Cincinnati: about 232 miles, about 3 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours 40 minutes.
- Nashville: about 221 to 223 miles, about 3 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes. Nashville is on Central time and Claiborne County is on Eastern, so your clock moves ahead an hour.
- Downtown Atlanta: about 244 to 258 miles, about 4 hours 25 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes.
How many nights do you need for a Norris Lake weekend?
Plan on three nights, Friday to Monday, because most winter and spring dates at Paradise Point right now show a 3-night minimum. The minimum can change by date, and the calendar shows yours as soon as you pick a check-in day. Three nights also gives you a day out and a day at the house, which suits November to May, when the water is cold.
Friday is arrival and groceries. Check-in starts at 4 PM with a smart lock, and your door code arrives before your stay. Lakefront Paradise sleeps 12 and Blue Haven sleeps 15, so two families can share the point; our family reunion page explains booking both.
The New Tazewell stores (Walmart, Ingles and Food City) are about 8 to 12 miles from Paradise Point, about 22 to 28 minutes. Coming from Lexington or Cincinnati, they are close to your route, so shop on the way in. Coming up TN-33 from Knoxville, Nashville or Atlanta, Walmart and Ingles are about 5 miles past your turn onto Lone Mountain Road, so either make the side trip or shop before you get here. Walmart is open until 11 PM. Buy for all three nights: Jimmy's Place, across the cove, is seasonal and closed for now.
What can you do near Norris Lake when it's too cold for the water?
Take a land day: Cumberland Gap and the Lincoln museum are the closest picks from Paradise Point on Norris Lake, and the Museum of Appalachia is the longer drive. Choose one and keep the day easy, so you're back for the fire pit.
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park: Start at the visitor center and drive up to Pinnacle Overlook, where a clear day shows Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Ice, snow or high winds can close the road. In May, ranger-led Gap Cave tours start up; reserve at 606-248-2817 by noon the day before.
- Town of Cumberland Gap: Have lunch at Angelo's in the Gap or Nineteen19 Grill & Bar in the historic downtown, and check hours first in winter.
- Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum: It's on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, about a mile south of the tunnel. LMU calls it one of the nation's largest private collections of Lincoln and Civil War artifacts. It is open noon to 5 on Saturdays, and closed Thanksgiving weekend, Easter weekend and during LMU holiday closures.
- Museum of Appalachia, Clinton: A recreated Appalachian community on 65 acres, with 35 log cabins, barns, farm animals, churches and schools. It is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, with hours of 10 to 4 in January and February. It sits about a mile off I-75 at Exit 122, 16 miles north of Knoxville, so it also works as a Monday stop if you're heading home that way. Its Candlelight Christmas is December 11 and 12, 2026, 4 to 9 p.m.
- In Claiborne County: A Claiborne County Christmas is November 14, 2026, 1 to 6 p.m., with vendors, pictures with Santa and a Lighted Tractor Parade at dusk. The listing doesn't name a location, so check before you go.
Can you kayak at Norris Lake in winter or spring?
You can on a calm day, but Norris Lake water averages 40 to 51°F from November through February and only reaches about 70°F by May. Those are the Norris Lake Marina Association's published averages. The National Weather Service counts anything at 70°F or below as cold water and says to always wear a life jacket. So keep it short, stay near the cove, tell someone your plans, and skip it if the wind is up.
Each home has two kayaks. The level varies about 29 feet between summer and winter in a normal year, so ask Kathy how the water looks at the dock. If you fish, Norris is noted for winter smallmouth, best from November to April, and our boating and fishing guide covers the license you need. Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour makes its first visit to Norris Lake March 11 to 14, 2027, launching from Lonas Young Memorial Park in Campbell County.
Either way, Sunday is your day at the house. Lakefront Paradise has a garage game room with a pool table that converts to ping pong, plus a retro arcade machine. Blue Haven has two family rooms, board games and cornhole. Both have a fire pit with firewood provided, and a family of bald eagles lives across the cove. Monday, check-out is by 10 AM. Knoxville guests can be home before lunch, and Cincinnati guests by mid-afternoon.
What should I bring to a lake house rental?
Bring food, warm layers and a few household items, because linens, towels, two kayaks, firewood and a gas grill are already at Paradise Point. There is a starter supply of toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags too. Add these to the car:
- HE laundry detergent for the washer.
- Extra paper goods and soap. The starter supply is only a start.
- Boat towels for the dock and kayaks.
- Life jackets for the kayaks, sized for everyone who will paddle. If you forget, the Ship Store at Norris Landing Marina, across the cove, sells them.
- Warm layers, rain jackets and shoes that can get wet. In nearby Tazewell, January averages a high of about 45°F and a low of about 23°F, and April about 68°F and 40°F (1991-2020 normals).
- Hats and gloves for the fire pit, plus s'mores supplies.
- Binoculars for the eagles.
Updated October 31, 2026. Drive times are estimates from Paradise Point; hours and dates change, so check with the venue before you go.
