Caryville offers lake access and mountain scenery
Caryville is a small town that offers a mix of mountain and lakefront scenery. Cove Lake State Park takes up a large chunk of this community, putting many here within minutes of activities ranging from hikes to kayak and canoe outings. The park belongs to the larger Norris Lake area, which has various resorts and marinas along hundreds of miles of forest-lined shoreline. Caryville is otherwise a laidback community with some opportunities for waterfront living. “It’s a bedroom community to Knoxville,” says Tracy Lobertini, a broker with Alco Builders & Realty. “There are waterfalls, there’s a state park, and you’re really close to I-75. And a lot of retirees will retire here. Caryville proper has Twin Cove Marina, and that’s a big draw for people who want lake homes or second homes.”
Neighborhoods offer a mix of forest and lakefront living
Some neighborhoods in town provide room, while others put residents within yards of each other. Several in the area live in the woods, where homes are on top of hills overlooking narrow, winding roads with no sidewalks. The area around the Twin Cove Resort and Marina is among the few places with waterfront homes and private docks. Styles here include ranch-style homes and modern Colonial Revivals. There are also cabin and lodge-style homes along the hillsides. Many homes here are under 2,000 square feet and run roughly between $190,000 and $370,000. Larger homes and ones near the lake go from about $470,000 to $790,000. A few more upscale waterfront homes go from $940,000 to $1.7 million.
Outdoor spots include hiking trails and waterfalls
Cove Lake State Park is the town’s main outdoor attraction, with its more than 600 acres providing grounds and waters for various activities. The park is particularly popular among hikers, who’ll find over 7 miles of trails winding through the forest. Those trails include paved sections that accommodate joggers and cyclists. The park also provides access to a section of the Cumberland Trail, a multi-county path and continuous park that runs the entire length of East Tennessee. For anglers, the 210-acre lake provides a steady supply of bass, bluegill and crappie. Avid off-roaders and those looking for mountain views may also go to the Royal Blue Upper Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. Asbury Park has a basketball court, a few baseball fields and a playground, all across the road from several homes.
Dining options include barbecue, burgers and Waffle House
The town has a few restaurants serving Southern comfort foods. Some chains are also as popular in the community as the locally-owned staples. “We have a Waffle House,” Lobertini says. “I know that’s like a joke, but when Waffle House was shut down for renovations, we really missed it because everybody does like it.” Located off the shores of Cove Lake, Rickard Ridge BBQ is an institution owned by an award-winning pitmaster. Rickard’s other features include a living room area with a couch and various memorabilia around a stone fireplace. Less than 5 miles northeast in Jacksboro, Walmart offers a grocery and retail shopping option.
Students may attend Campbell County schools
Campbell County Public Schools serves Caryville and receives a C from Niche. Located in the town is Caryville Elementary School, which gets a C grade. Depending on where they live, students may also go to Jacksboro Elementary School, which receives a B-minus. Two elementary schools feed into Jacksboro Middle School and Campbell County High School. The middle school gets a B-minus, while the high school receives a C. Campbell County High offers various courses and dual enrollment credits for students looking to learn a trade and go straight into full-time work not long after graduation. These courses cover areas like welding and nursing.
Music and arts festival draws thousands to Cove Lake
In September, thousands come to Cove Lake State Park for the annual Louie Bluie Music & Arts Festival. The event’s centerpiece is its lineup of string performers entertaining the crowds with bluegrass, folk and blues tunes. There’s also a jam tent for those interested in doing impromptu sessions together. Food trucks serve options like barbecue and tacos, while exhibits show off handmade pottery, photography and quilts.
I-75 and U.S. Route 25W provide commuter routes
Commuters have direct access to Interstate 75. The highway goes straight to Knoxville, about 30 miles south. Drivers also have access to U.S. Route 25W, which goes to the nearby communities of Jacksboro and LaFollette. Located about 10 miles northeast, LaFollette Medical Center is the nearest hospital to Caryville. The town is also just over 40 miles north of McGhee Tyson Airport, the region’s hub for commercial flights.
