Ten years ago when I moved to Knoxville, I used to think if you wanted a great outdoor experience you needed to drive about an hour away to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I had no idea that Knoxville is so well-known for outdoor experiences. Here are my top five favorite outdoor experiences in Knoxville and Knox County.
1. Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37920
Open daily from 8 am until dusk
Ijams Nature Center is over 300 acres filled with trails, a quarry, a ropes course and much more.
With over 40 miles of both paved and natural trails, plus some incredible views, Ijams is at the top of my list for a nice stroll or an intense hike. One of my favorite weekend outings is going to Ijams for an afternoon walk with my dog. There’s plenty of room to hike while offering distance between you and other outdoor enthusiasts.
When you go to Ijams you have to check out Mead’s Quarry. The quarry has a great swimming area and a separate spot if canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding are more your thing. You can rent the equipment at the River Sports location near the quarry. But be warned: during their peak times you could be waiting hours for a rental to become available. Luckily the wilderness beer garden is close by – perfect to pass a couple of hours easily.
First time visiting Ijams? I would recommend going inside the Visitors Center to get some insight into the trails. The Visitors Center also has an exhibit hall with non-releasable animals and information on the ecosystems at Ijams.
After the adventure? Ijams is close to some great South Knoxville breweries like Alliance, Printshop and Hi-Wire. Each place provides the perfect atmosphere to recover after a long hike!
2. House Mountain
9601 Hogskin Rd,
Corryton, TN 37721
Open daily from sunrise to sunset
House Mountain is a 500-acre scenic beauty about 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville. The highest peak in Knox County, House Mountain offers unparalleled views of the area.
With nearly 6 miles of relatively wooded trails, this spot is perfect for hiking and bird watching; though, the hike is not for the faint of heart. At points, this natural trail is pretty steep. It’s a moderate hike. One of my favorite things about House Mountain is when you’re hiking, you are completely immersed in nature and feel so far away from the city. In addition, I’ve never found House Mountain particularly busy.
This outdoor excursion can easily take up an afternoon so pack a lunch and make a day of it! At the very least, though, be sure to pack some water and healthy snacks for your trek through this hidden gem of our community.
3. Concord Park
10909 South Northshore Drive
Knoxville, TN 37922
Open daily from dawn until dusk
When I think of Concord Park I think of families, because this 500-acre park has something for every member of your household!
Located in West Knox County, Concord offers both natural and paved trails – perfect for biking, hiking, or walking. The paved trails are especially easy going! There is a large playground and tons of picnic and pavilion spaces. Among the many other amenities are a skate park, putting green and tennis courts.
Concord Park also has a location, River Sports at The Cove, that rents out kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, and mountain bikes. I’m sure they get busy; however, I’ve been here several times on different days of the week and I’ve never waited to rent equipment from here. In addition, there’s a great swimming area nearby.
Finally, when I say the WHOLE family, I mean it. Concord also features a small and large dog park complete with a swimming area for the pup. After the adventure? Sit down for a delicious meal at Lakeside Tavern. The patio has some especially great views!
4. Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum
2743 Wimpole Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37914
Gardens open daily, from sunrise to sunset
See what's blooming at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, a 47-acre oasis in the middle of East Knoxville. The Botanical Garden and Arboretum is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in Knoxville and features walking trails, display gardens, unique and historic horticulture with over two miles of distinctive stone walls and timeless buildings. Relax in the Butterfly Meadow, experience the Dogwood Nature Trail, and explore the Master Gardener Beds.
And don't miss the Martha H. Ashe Garden, a picturesque garden showcase highlighting the many plants found in the 16-acre nursery.
After the adventure? Treat yourself to Chandler's for some of the best home cooking around!
5. IC King Park
2625 Maryville Pike
Open daily, from dawn until dusk
Located in South Knox County, IC King Park features 7 miles of easy to moderate trails and boasts beautiful views of the Tennessee River. The trails are well maintained. The natural trails at IC King offer a great place to hike, run or bike. I think trail runners and mountain bikers will especially like IC King. In 2019, there was a 10- acre expansion that brought a playground, 2-acre dog park, picnic pavilions and a connection that links the new expanded space to the original trails.
It can get pretty slippery after a hard rain, so don’t go biking after a storm. This is a heavily wooded area and the trails are pretty wide. I’ve always felt a sense of adventure while twisting and turning through the woods at IC King Park.
If you’re looking for an easy to moderate hike this place is for you!
After the adventure? Check out Sweet P's Barbeque & Soul House just a short drive from the park.
Knoxville has so many opportunities to explore the outdoors! For more information and to check out other outdoor sites, I would recommend visiting outdoorknoxville.com and visitknoxville.com. Happy exploring!
About the Author
A Memphis native, Michael Smith-Porter came to Knoxville in 2010 for college. He fell in love with the city and never left. Currently, Michael works as a project coordinator for the University of Tennessee and serves as president-elect for Young Professionals of Knoxville. When he’s not at work or connecting with people at YPK events, you can find him hiking with his partner, Jordan, and their energetic dog, Boots, and enjoying Knoxville’s many craft breweries and restaurants.