Two Cottages, 120 Feet of Shoreline, and a Private Dock on Norris Lake
$499,000
Norris Lake, in Jacksboro north of Knoxville, is East Tennessee's clear-water reservoir — the one locals and repeat visitors talk about specifically for its clean water and long, quiet coves. This property sits minutes from I-75, which means the drive in from Knoxville or beyond is easy, but the lake itself still delivers the genuine remove that makes Norris Lake worth the trip.
Here's the part worth understanding upfront: this sale covers two separate addresses, 810 and 814, each its own cottage on a single 0.42-acre lot, combined for four bedrooms and two baths across roughly 1,454 square feet. Built in 1983, the property has already worked as both a private second home and a short-term rental — one unit is currently operating as an active STR, which is why showings run by appointment only. Whatever the split, the shoreline is the real asset: approximately 120 feet of it, with a private, covered two-slip boat dock already installed. Indian River Marina is a short walk or golf cart ride away, with fuel, boat rentals, and a waterfront restaurant if you want the full-service option some days instead of doing everything yourself.
At $499,000, or roughly $343 a square foot combined, this is dual-property math on a single lake lot — worth running the numbers both as a family compound and as a two-unit rental income play, since the current setup supports either. The listing is explicit that buyers should verify all measurements and the homes described, since a two-address, two-cottage sale like this carries more documentation to check than a standard single-home listing. Listing courtesy of Kim Taylor-Smith, Crye-Leike Realtors South, Inc.
Life at the Water
Water Access & Depth
The property has approximately 120 feet of Norris Lake shoreline with a private, covered two-slip boat dock already in place — real, current infrastructure supporting two boats at once, which fits the two-cottage setup well. Confirm exact water depth at the dock with the agent, since Norris Lake's water level fluctuates seasonally as a TVA-managed reservoir, and depth at the dock can shift meaningfully between high-water summer months and lower winter pool levels.
Recreation & Boating
Norris Lake is known regionally for exceptionally clear water, a big part of its draw compared to some of Tennessee's other reservoirs, and it supports strong striped bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie fishing throughout its many coves and creek arms. The lake's long, winding shape creates dozens of quiet coves well suited to swimming and paddling away from the main boat traffic. Indian River Marina, close enough to reach by golf cart, adds a full-service option — fuel, rentals, and a waterfront restaurant — for days you'd rather not manage the boat yourself.
Dock & Waterfront Features
The private, covered two-slip dock is already installed, giving immediate capacity for two boats — genuinely useful infrastructure for a two-cottage property that may see two households or a mix of owner and renter use at once. As a TVA reservoir, Norris Lake dock permitting runs through the Tennessee Valley Authority rather than a standard state process; confirm the existing dock's permit status is current and properly on file before assuming any future modification will be simple.
Flood & Insurance Considerations
Norris Lake is a TVA-managed flood-control reservoir, meaning water levels are actively managed rather than left to natural extremes — generally a stabilizing factor, though seasonal drawdown means the shoreline and dock access can look different in winter than in summer. Pull the FEMA flood zone designation for this specific parcel before closing, and get a straightforward quote from a Tennessee-licensed insurance agent to understand actual flood coverage costs on a reservoir property like this one.
Beyond the Property Line
Local Flavor & Small-Town Character
Jacksboro is the Campbell County seat, a small East Tennessee town that serves as the practical hub for the Norris Lake area — everyday shopping and services close by, with the lake itself as the real draw. The broader Norris Lake region hosts a summer boat parade and lake-community gatherings through the season, the kind of informal tradition that builds among longtime lake families and renters returning year after year. Knoxville, roughly 45 minutes south via I-75, adds a full range of city dining, shopping, and culture within an easy drive whenever it's needed.
Outdoor Recreation & Natural Surroundings
Norris Dam State Park, at the lake's southern end, has hiking trails, a swimming area, and access to the Clinch River below the dam for a different kind of water day beyond the lake itself. The Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail runs through this part of East Tennessee, offering serious multi-day hiking options for anyone who wants to explore the ridgelines around the lake. Big Ridge State Park, on Norris Lake's northern shore, adds another full-service park option with additional trails, camping, and lake access if you want to explore beyond your own dock.
Listed on Zillow
Waterlines at Home is not a real estate agency and does not represent any property or agency. Waterlines at Home is an informational blog based on our own editorial point of view. All properties are subject to prior sale, change, or withdrawal. Waterlines at Home is not responsible for any misinformation, including but not limited to price, status, or condition. All information must be independently verified by the buyer.
Links to other websites:
Waterlines at Home includes links to third-party listing platforms. These sites have separate and independent privacy policies. Waterlines at Home does not guarantee and has no liability for their content, information, or privacy policies when accessed via links on our site.
Google Advertising provides a positive experience for users. Google AdSense Advertising is placed on our website in order to place ads regarding users’ historical visits on our and other websites. Data is collected and used for advertising purposes. Find more about Google AdSense privacy policy on the link https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/1348695?hl=en
We analyze data via Google Analytics. Cookies are used as a way of gathering information in order to create reports. It’s a matter of your own choice to accept or decline cookies when they pop up on our website. All browsers have instructions for enabling and disabling cookies. Stored personal information on the website may have correlation to the stored information in cookies. In general, cookies do not have data for user’s personal identification. Click on the link for Google Analytics’ privacy policy https://policies.google.com/privacy