Clark Center Park
A scenic park on Melton Hill Lake with a swimming beach, greenway trails, and picnic areas for outdoor recreation.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temps
Clark Center Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temps
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A scenic park on Melton Hill Lake with a swimming beach, greenway trails, and picnic areas for outdoor recreation.
"Great place for a group gathering with scenic views and a nice swimming area."
Pack out your trash! :wastebasket:
Help keep the park clean by using designated trash cans. Visitors have noted littering issues.
No pets allowed ⛔
Remember that pets are not permitted in Clark Center Park.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 424 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Melton Hill Lake Swimming Beach
Oak Ridge
A clean, sandy beach perfect for a relaxing dip or letting kids play in the water. No lifeguards on duty.
Gallagher Bend Greenway
Oak Ridge
A well-maintained gravel trail through preserved forest with scenic views of Melton Hill Lake.
Group Gathering Pavilion
Oak Ridge
Ideal for events with a large grill, electrical outlets, and nearby restrooms and playground.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Best Time to Beat the Crowds
Pet Policy & Park Etiquette
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Good swimming area, natural water?
I am moving to the area soon, and looking for some recommendations for areas to swim. I plan to check out Fort Dickerson Quarry for sure, any other areas that would be worth a look? Is it safe/clean swim in the TN River near Knoxville?
Pack out your trash! :wastebasket:
Help keep the park clean by using designated trash cans. Visitors have noted littering issues.
No pets allowed ⛔
Remember that pets are not permitted in Clark Center Park.
Fishing spot
Looking to take some kiddo’s fishing. Don’t need a honey hole, just a place to cast some worms and catch some bluegill. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
What are your favorite places to kayak in Knoxville?
Hey, Knoxville peeps! My wife and I are going to be trying to utilize the kayak as much as we can for the rest of the Summer and we want to know what your favorite kayaking locations around town are! We've only ever been to Haw Ridge and a portion of the Clinch River in Hardin…
Spotty cell service :iphone:
Enjoy a digital detox as cell reception is very limited in the park.
Bring your own cooler :cooler:
You can bring your own coolers for picnics, but alcohol is prohibited.
What’s You Favorite Place to Disconnect?
After work every day we’re always trying to find something to do and get out of the house because my partner works from home. Walks around the neighborhood are getting old. We use to go to lakeshore, the cove, and sequoia hills parks often and that’s gotten a little old too.…
Tips
from all over the internet
Pack out your trash! :wastebasket:
Help keep the park clean by using designated trash cans. Visitors have noted littering issues.
No pets allowed ⛔
Remember that pets are not permitted in Clark Center Park.
Spotty cell service :iphone:
Enjoy a digital detox as cell reception is very limited in the park.
Bring your own cooler :cooler:
You can bring your own coolers for picnics, but alcohol is prohibited.
Great for groups :people_holding_hands:
The pavilion is well-equipped for gatherings with grills and restrooms.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Clark Center Park is praised for its natural beauty, offering a clean swimming beach and well-maintained trails like the Gallagher Bend Greenway. Visitors appreciate the amenities for group gatherings, including a pavilion and picnic areas. However, some guests have expressed disappointment with littering and the absence of pet-friendliness.
"Fantastic trail for beginners that's well maintained and rewards your hard work with some great views at the end. Secondary loop trail was closed, but I look forward to coming back next year to see if it reopened!"
Danny Rader
"This park has much to offer, including a boat ramp, several trails to fishing locations, a pavilion, sand volleyball courts, a softball field, a swimming beach, multiple concrete picnic tables with fire grills, a public restroom and a greenway that's described below.
BTW, you're not allowed to bring your pets but it is OK to leave trash everywhere. Fishermen, hunters and others need to grow up and use the trash cans!
Gallagher Bend Greenway is 3.9 miles RT from trailhead during Summer or 4.6 miles from the parking area.
Large gravel road suitable for hikers, bikers or joggers. This greenway dissects beautiful forest preserved by TWRA with with nice views of Melton Hill Lake towards the end.
The trail is hilly and bypasses Bull Bluff but only has a total elevation differential of about 130'. It also hosts plenty of wildlife. Pics are from greenway and Bull Bluff."
Craig Hutto
"Great place to have a group gathering. The pavilion has an extra large grill for use with charcoal, electrical outlets to keep food warm or for electronics, and separate men's and women's bathrooms. There is plenty of parking for boat haulers and non-boat haulers alike. It also has a playground for kids and a baseball field to run around on. To top it all off, there are some scenic views of the water and surrounding woodlands. NOTE: Cell phone reception is very spotty. That can get good if you are looking for an escape that's close to town."
P. Kelly
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Clark Center Park is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Access is typically via local roads. While specific public transport options might be limited, driving is the most common way to reach the park. Parking is available for both boat haulers and regular vehicles.
Yes, there is ample parking available at Clark Center Park, including dedicated spaces for boat trailers and general parking areas.
Absolutely! Clark Center Park features a boat ramp, providing direct access to Melton Hill Lake for boating and fishing enthusiasts.
Specific driving directions will depend on your starting point, but the park is generally accessible via main roads in Oak Ridge. Using a GPS navigation app is recommended.
The park is designed for accessibility with various amenities. The gravel greenway is suitable for hikers, bikers, and joggers, and the pavilion area is well-equipped.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Clark Center Park is generally free to enter, offering a public space for recreation and enjoyment without admission fees.
While specific hours are not always posted, parks like Clark Center are typically open from dawn until dusk. It's advisable to check local listings or call ahead if you have specific timing needs.
The pavilion is available for group gatherings and may require reservations, especially for larger events. It's best to contact the park management or local recreation department to inquire about booking procedures and availability.
The primary restriction noted is that pets are not allowed within the park premises. Alcohol is also prohibited.
Yes, the park offers trails leading to fishing locations, and access to Melton Hill Lake via the boat ramp makes it a popular spot for anglers.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Clark Center Park offers a variety of activities including swimming at the beach, hiking and jogging on the Gallagher Bend Greenway, fishing, picnicking, and group gatherings at the pavilion. There are also sand volleyball courts and a softball field.
Yes, there is a sandy swimming beach on Melton Hill Lake. It's a clean, average-sized area perfect for relaxing and for children to play, though there are no lifeguards.
The Gallagher Bend Greenway is a popular gravel trail, approximately 3.9 miles round trip from the trailhead. It winds through a beautiful forest with views of Melton Hill Lake and offers opportunities to see wildlife. The trail is hilly but manageable.
Yes, the park has public restrooms, including separate men's and women's facilities near the pavilion. There are also multiple concrete picnic tables with fire grills available.
Absolutely! Families will enjoy the swimming beach, playground, open fields for running around, and picnic areas. The greenway is also suitable for family walks.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no restaurants located directly within Clark Center Park. Visitors typically bring their own food and drinks for picnics.
Yes, Clark Center Park is an excellent spot for picnics. It features numerous concrete picnic tables, many equipped with fire grills.
No, alcohol is prohibited at Clark Center Park. Visitors are advised to adhere to this policy.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own coolers with food and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy at the park.
Yes, many of the picnic tables are accompanied by fire grills, perfect for charcoal grilling during your visit.
📸 📸 Photography
The park offers scenic views of Melton Hill Lake, especially from the Gallagher Bend Greenway. The preserved forest provides a beautiful natural backdrop, and the lake itself is picturesque. The pavilion area can also be good for group photos.
Yes, the preserved forest along the greenway is home to plenty of wildlife, making it a great spot for nature and wildlife photography. Early mornings are often best for spotting animals.
Certainly. The greenway offers nice views of Melton Hill Lake, and the swimming beach area provides opportunities for waterscape photography.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, it's always wise to be mindful of other visitors' privacy and avoid intrusive photography.
Early mornings and late afternoons often provide the best natural light for photography, minimizing harsh shadows and creating a softer, more appealing look.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit