Notes from the host
Wood Duck Inn
Enjoy your stay at this peaceful, gently sloping lakefront property on quiet Mill Creek Cove on Norris Lake just around the point from Waterside Marina which is located just 7.5 miles northeast on Highway #61 from exit #122 on I-75; only 30 minutes north of Knoxville.
The single-level 60+-year-old cozy, rustic house has a den w/ceiling fan, a stone gas fireplace, plenty of seating, and a day bed. The master bedroom has a queen-sized bed with antique furniture and a full shower and tub bathroom next to it. The second bedroom has an antique double bed and looks out onto the lake. You walk through the second bedroom via a short hallway to the third bedroom which also has a double bed, a small window seat with a cot-sized mattress, and, of course, a door to separate it from the 2nd bedroom and bathroom. There is a full bathroom with a step-in shower between these two bedrooms.
In addition to the full-service kitchen and a separate laundry room, there is a bright, large sunroom facing the lake with a huge table for those fantastic meals. Both the den and the sunroom open onto a huge deck, one-third of which is covered and has a porch swing, a second swing, hooks for a baby swing, a gas grill, a ceiling fan, a large table, deck chairs, and rocking chairs. A stone path leads from the bottom of the deck stairs (just 9 steps down) through the wooded backyard (approximately 200 yards in summer) to your own private dock with a swim ladder, large umbrella for shade, and boat or wave-runner tie-offs.
It is quite unique to find a place on Norris that does not require a steep hike to the lake and back to the house or a long, extremely curvy drive to get to it. We love our gentle slope (about 200 yards in the summer) to the lake. Also, it is quick and easy to get to from the interstate. Since TVA raises and lowers the water seasonally, this gentle slope requires that we have an easily movable dock rather than a large one with boat slips. TVA begins lowering the water levels in July and by late August the dock may not be floating (check with owner close to your arrival time). Guests who wish to bring a boat in late August or later usually rent a slip at Waterside. The dock will remain on land until the water rises again in the Spring (usually by mid-April or so). The dock is plenty big enough to accommodate your boats or watercrafts, and for your group to sit on, swim off of, and fish.
Waterside Marina, a very short walk though not visible from the house or dock, has a small restaurant and store and rents covered slips and pontoon boats (they must be reserved early). They also have live music on several summer weekends! Although the Marina does not accommodate public boat launching due to limited parking space, they do allow our guests to launch for free and drive the boat around to our dock during their stay. However, due to the marina's limited parking space, you must keep your vehicle and trailer parked in our driveway. There is enough paved driveway space to park 3 trucks with trailers. There is a Super Walmart and several restaurants between us and the interstate exit only seven easy miles away. Although many of the conveniences are within a few miles, the area is peaceful, wooded, and within a quiet, safe, friendly neighborhood that has been established for over 50 years.
The house is 5 miles from Big Ridge State Park, 7 miles from Norris Dam State Park, and 6 miles from The Museum of Appalachia. Both parks offer wonderful activities including covered picnic areas, volleyball, softball, tennis courts, hiking trails, and a variety of playgrounds. The Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area, a short boat ride from the house, is an undisturbed 25,000-acre wildlife preserve offering the space for fishing (you must have a license), hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, wildlife observation, birding, and photography. Paddleboards and kayaks can be rented at Norris Dam.
The 'Wood Duck Inn' is extremely accommodating to couples, family gatherings, or small groups.
Read this article for more information on Norris Lake: https://www.islands.com/1859546/norris-lake-pristine-crystal-clear-waters-one-tennessee-most-renowned-gems-swimming-america/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKeizhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE2c3lORUgwekdVd1k3MTNBAR5RuDyjB-YMDJXgpqQFYe-CJe1C7b6bSoqM-59sD_X97niqD7MEy1ihP6QVuA_aem_pfLv8lO-ZXJ8QM7g7VNpOA
Keywords: Lakefront House
