Norris Lake // Anderson County, TN
Car rental for Norris Lake
800 miles of shoreline, 30 minutes from TYS. Scenic country roads through Anderson and Campbell counties, good for a convertible or a practical van.
Quick answer
Drive865 rents vehicles for Norris Lake trips with pickup at TYS, about 35 minutes from the Norris Dam area, or our Maryville location, about 50 minutes. Norris Lake is Tennessee's oldest reservoir (built by the TVA in the 1930s), with 800 miles of clear shoreline, no major tourist infrastructure, and a locals-first character that distinguishes it from the Smokies corridor.
Key facts
- From TYS
- ~35 min · 30 miles to Norris Dam
- From Maryville
- ~50 min · 40 miles
- Shoreline
- 800+ miles: Tennessee's longest reservoir by shoreline
- Built
- 1936: TVA's first dam project
- Character
- Clear water, private coves, no tourist strip
- Current vehicles listed
- 3
- Pickup
- Maryville or TYS airport delivery
- Pricing
- Choose trip dates and times on a vehicle page
Best cars for this road
See full fleet →Compare prices for your dates
3 current options. Enter your trip times once, then choose a vehicle to check availability.
Earliest pickup: today at 2:30 PM ET.
Estimates include rental taxes. Optional extras and airport exit parking are separate. Your dates carry through to the vehicle page.
2023 Honda Odyssey Sport
8 seats · Automatic · FWD
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2014 Nissan NV Passenger SL
12 seats · Automatic · RWD
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2017 Nissan NV Passenger SL
12 seats · Automatic · RWD
View vehicle & pricing →Ready to request a trip? You'll create an account, verify your email and phone, and provide your driver's license, a selfie and insurance details before submitting. A request is reviewed before your booking is confirmed.
Need help with seating, luggage or pickup? Ask us before you book.
What Norris Lake is
Norris Lake was created by the TVA's Norris Dam in 1936, the first dam built by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The reservoir stretches across Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, and Union counties north of Knoxville, with a total of 800+ miles of shoreline that includes hundreds of private coves, clear water (the reservoir is fed by mountain streams), and none of the tourist-strip infrastructure that characterizes the Smokies corridor.
Norris Lake draws boaters, cabin renters, and people who want a genuinely quiet East Tennessee water weekend. There is no equivalent of Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg adjacent to Norris Lake. The towns of Norris, La Follette, and Jacksboro are small and low-key.
For Drive865 renters, Norris Lake typically pairs with other East Tennessee destinations rather than being the sole reason for a rental. The lake is 35 minutes from TYS, which makes it a natural first- or last-day stop on a longer East Tennessee trip that includes the Dragon or the Smokies.
Getting around Norris Lake by car
The roads around Norris Lake are two-lane state and county roads through Anderson and Campbell counties: more interesting to drive than the Smokies tourist corridors, with rolling hills and good sight lines. US-441 north from Knoxville passes through the Norris Dam State Park area; TN-61 and TN-25E give access to the lake's northern fingers.
Drive times from our pickup points
| From | To | Minutes | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) | Norris Dam State Park | 35 | 30 |
| Maryville, TN | Norris Dam State Park | 50 | 40 |
| Downtown Knoxville | Norris Dam State Park | 35 | 28 |
| Norris Lake | Big South Fork (Bandy Creek) | 60 | 50 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a boat at Norris Lake?
Yes. Several marinas on Norris Lake rent pontoon boats, fishing boats, and watercraft. Drive865 provides the car to get you there; boat rentals are through local marina operators. Popular options include the Norris Dam Marina area and several private operations on the lake's arms.
How far is Norris Lake from downtown Knoxville?
About 30 miles and 35 minutes from downtown Knoxville to the Norris Dam area via I-75 north and US-441.
Is Norris Lake good for families?
Excellent: calm water (no ocean-style waves), clear visibility, and a calm atmosphere without the tourist-strip energy of the Smokies corridor. Cabin rentals with private docks are the standard Norris Lake experience for families.
What's the water quality like at Norris Lake?
Norris Lake consistently ranks among the cleanest reservoirs in Tennessee, fed by mountain streams from the Cumberland Mountains, with relatively low development on its shores. Clear water with good visibility.
What else is near Norris Lake?
Norris Dam State Park (hiking, boat launch), the Museum of Appalachia in Norris (worth a stop for anyone interested in regional history), and Big South Fork is about 60 miles northwest. Knoxville's urban amenities are 35 minutes south.
Is the drive from TYS to Norris Lake interesting?
Reasonably so. US-441 north passes through Norris (the TVA-planned model town, still well-maintained) and into the rolling Anderson County countryside. It's not a scenic mountain road, but it's pleasant and easy to navigate.
How do I see pricing and request a booking?
Open a vehicle and select your trip start and end dates and times to see pricing. A listed vehicle is not a guarantee of availability for your dates. Continue from the vehicle page to submit a booking request.
Where do I collect the car?
Choose Maryville pickup or contactless delivery at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Review the pickup instructions for your confirmed booking before traveling. Airport delivery has no separate delivery charge. Customer responsible for airport parking fee upon exit, typically no more than $13
Related
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Big South Fork
60 miles northwest: the rugged Cumberland Plateau park that pairs naturally with a Norris Lake trip.
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Convertible rentals
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Family rentals
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Knoxville
35 minutes from Norris Dam: how Drive865 serves the Knoxville area.
Current family and group vehicles