Photo credit: Hazel Erickson

Chuck Swan State Forest, initially named the Central Peninsula Forest, had its beginnings in 1934 as part of the land acquisition by the Tennessee Valley Authority prior to construction of Norris Dam. Approximately one third of the 24,300 acre area was cultivated as part of small farms. The objective of the State was to “use and manage programs in soil, water, mineral, forest and wildlife conservation”. Within the Tennessee state forest system, Chuck Swan is the only representative of the southern Appalachian Ridge and Valley province. It is located in east Tennessee, 25 miles north of Knoxville, in Union and Campbell counties and is bounded on three sides by Norris lake watershed. The area is jointly managed by the Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF) and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and focuses on the improvement of wildlife habitat and forest stand conditions. TWRA retains 10 inholdings (455 acres), and actively manages approximately 1500 acres of wildlife openings. The forest is home to 53 cemeteries, one active church congregation, one firing range and miles of drivable roads. The forest also offers opportunities for hunting, fishing, picnicking, horseback riding, ATV riding, mountain biking and nature watching. Forest recreation and hunting is permitted on a DAY-USE-ONLY basis. Primitive camping is available at 2 locations near the forest entrance.

https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/state-forests/chuck-swan.html.