Steele Creek Park
Steele Creek Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
94 within 3 miles
Attractions
35 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
114 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
24
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Travelers
Naples, FL75 contributions
Jan 2020
We drove through with some friends, and it was a wonderful experience. It was on an early Sunday morning, so the park was almost empty. We had it all to ourselves pretty much. Would love to come back sometime and play some bluegrass music together. The creek that runs through is just gorgeous with little waterfalls as you drive past. We LOVE the mountains surrounding it. We did hear that the water is very contaminated and you should never eat fish that come out of it, which was disappointing. But, if you just want to go somewhere and be near God and nature, this is a perfect place to visit.
Written May 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin B
Knoxville, TN15 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Fabulous park! Well worth a $2 entry fee. The Nature Center is totally free; paddle boat rides $1 per person for 30 minutes! Lots of picnic tables, grills, shelters, playgrounds! Highly recommend.
Written June 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel B
Greenville, SC99 contributions
May 2020 • Family
Came here since the parks in the Damascus, VA were closed. I am so glad we took the trip. Perfect walking trails for me and my little in the stroller. Also nice trails for my husband and boys. Picturesque atmosphere. I am so happy we took the drive.
Written May 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Silversun24210
1 contribution
May 2019 • Family
This is a fantastic park in this area with something for the whole family. Does anyone know if the splash pad is open yet?
Written May 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara P
6 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
I live in Bristol so I visit Steels Creek on a regular basis. It is a very large park and has many different parts to enjoy. I have been there with my children and grandchildren for picnics, riding the train, playing in the water, chasing the ducks and just a fun day in the sun. I have been there with others when we ran trails or hiked paths for exercise and I have been there on quiet afternoons when I sat and watched the goings on in the pond and enjoyed the sunset.
Written March 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lrbassett
Bristol, Tennessee, United States15 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
I lived in Bristol for several years without discovering this gem. Wow...just Wow. Steele Creek has terrific hiking and biking trails, a lake, a splash pad for kids, paddle boats, a train, play areas, covered picnic areas, and a Nature Center, just to name a few. There is a lake, a creek, neat critters, golfing, frisbee golf, and plenty of land to play. A hidden gem in East Tennessee.
Written January 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lstins1
14 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Steele creek park has several activities for families, couples, etc. the nature center although small is interesting and we all enjoyed it. The park has several shelters, creek access points, a little train you can ride around a portion of the park. A true must see if you have never visited before. Plenty of parking as well throughout the park. Most areas are also wheelchair accessible. Excellent place for kids as well.
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JdB140
Rogersville, TN51 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
I truly feel Steele Creek is underrated. It has a slew of mountian bike & hiking trails. Perfect for all ages, toddlers to seniors can enjoy the park.
The lake front trail is the most popular as it offers mostly flat terrain for hiking, walking, biking and running. Great for dogs or even taking your cat for a walk (yes that is a thing).
Climb the paths, which are easily marked for a little challenge as you hike up the mountain and into the hiking trails. Power Line to Lakeside trail is a great trail to start on.
Enjoy a picnic by the Rapids, or a gathering under the picnic areas.
Go fishing in the lake, take a train ride on the vintage scaled train that runs through part of the park. Paddle the lake in a paddle boat or bring your own kayak or canoe. These are low cost, and you can easily afford a family outing on a warm day at the park. Theres also a splash pad for the kids to enjoy.
Finally, head to the nature center and discover what it has to offer. The nature center provides information on the park and our area, giving information about animal habitats, what animals can be found in the park and of course conservation ideas on how to protect wildlife.
A day well spent in the biggest city park in Tennessee!
The lake front trail is the most popular as it offers mostly flat terrain for hiking, walking, biking and running. Great for dogs or even taking your cat for a walk (yes that is a thing).
Climb the paths, which are easily marked for a little challenge as you hike up the mountain and into the hiking trails. Power Line to Lakeside trail is a great trail to start on.
Enjoy a picnic by the Rapids, or a gathering under the picnic areas.
Go fishing in the lake, take a train ride on the vintage scaled train that runs through part of the park. Paddle the lake in a paddle boat or bring your own kayak or canoe. These are low cost, and you can easily afford a family outing on a warm day at the park. Theres also a splash pad for the kids to enjoy.
Finally, head to the nature center and discover what it has to offer. The nature center provides information on the park and our area, giving information about animal habitats, what animals can be found in the park and of course conservation ideas on how to protect wildlife.
A day well spent in the biggest city park in Tennessee!
Written May 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JadziaD
Atlanta, GA26 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
$2.00 entry fee per car. Has shelter rentals, picnic tables, and lake with paddle boats. The Lodge has a fire place, kitchen and bathrooms.The informative nature center is free to tour. Lovely park for the whole family.
Written July 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renee G
Bristol, TN4 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
We live in Bristol and go to Steele Creek Park frequently. If you are visiting the area and would like a nice place to walk, run or ride a bike, then this is an excellent location. The park has a nice lake and you can rent paddle boats at one location. I have never rented a paddle boat but it is popular on summer weekends. There is a nice wide flat path around the lake that is often used for bike riding (kids and adults) as well as running and walking. In addition, if you enjoy cross country running or hiking there are miles of trails in the woods surrounding the park. You may want to download a trail map if you plan to do a lot of miles, but you can do a nice loop by parking at the Rooster Front parking area (off of Volunteer Parkway) and running through the woods on the orange Lake Ridge Trail (up and down the knobs surrounding the lake) and coming back along the lake on the flat Lakeshore Trail. There are several playgrounds and pavilions throughout the park for those who have small children and want them to burn up some energy. There are also basketball courts. If you enter the park from Highway 126 you will be closer to the Nature Center, Amphitheatre, golf course and disc golf. There are also running streams that kids like to wade and play in on hot summer days with pavilions for picnicking nearby. Finally, during the summer the park runs a small train for the kids. The train is located by the playground near the Highway 126 entrance and is very popular.
The park appeals to adults and kids equally and the level of physical activity can be as much or as little as you like. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and the owner cleans up after them. This is a favorite location of ours to do trail running or to bring visitors for a casual walk around the lake.
The park appeals to adults and kids equally and the level of physical activity can be as much or as little as you like. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash and the owner cleans up after them. This is a favorite location of ours to do trail running or to bring visitors for a casual walk around the lake.
Written February 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can You put a small boat in the water there? Is there a boat ramp?
Twinsmama
Tannersville, VA102 contributions
Yes. They do have a dock, and we saw some people putting boats into the water.
Cindy A
14 contributions
There used to be a roped off area of the lake for swimming and a diving board platform. Is that gone and swimming not allowed?
Frank F
Bristol, Tennessee, United States28 contributions
Yes there used to be a rope, many years ago. But then the lake was unsafe for swimming and they took it down. Many years later, the lake is now safe, but I don't believe swimming is yet allowed, but not totally sure, however, when walking for the last several years I have not seen anyone swimming in the lake even though it's clean water.
Mountaineer1863
26 contributions
Is there swimming?
Frank F
Bristol, Tennessee, United States28 contributions
No, not to my knowledge. There is no pool and you cannot swim in the lake that I know of.
Mountaineer1863
26 contributions
Is there swimming?
Kathy H
Bristol, TN14 contributions
There is a children's splash pool that opened last summer. It really is for little kids. There's a big lake with a beach and I guess you could swim in it. There are paddle boats and canoes also.
Does this park have grilles?
Frank F
Bristol, Tennessee, United States28 contributions
Yes, there are grilles in places with picnic tables on both sides of the park being Steele Creek Park and the other end is Rooster Front Park.
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Claim your listingSteele Creek Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Steele Creek Park
- Steele Creek Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Hotels near Steele Creek Park:
- (1.35 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites Bristol
- (3.33 mi) The Bristol Hotel
- (3.04 mi) The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- (1.37 mi) Hampton Inn Bristol
- (7.60 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Bristol
- Restaurants near Steele Creek Park:
- (3.33 mi) Vivian's Table
- (3.24 mi) Blackbird Bakery
- (3.10 mi) Delta Blues BBQ
- (3.00 mi) Mad Greek Restaurant
- (3.19 mi) 620 State Restaurant