Panther Creek State Park

Panther Creek State Park is located in the Hamblen County community of Panther Springs, one of the oldest settlements in the county. Pioneers from North Carolina and the older WAtauga Settlement in East Tennessee arrived in this area around 1785. Panther Springs, at one time, was the first stop on the stagecoach route out of Knoxville on the way to Abingdon, VA. Prior to this time, the Cherokee Indians were the most prominent Native American tribe in the area. The Cherokee hunted deer, bear, and elk to supply food and clothing for the tribe.