This park is located in south Knoxville right off of Cherokee trail road. Difficulty: Easy-Moderate Ijams Nature Center (pronounced eye-ams) is a great place to start if you're new to hiking or if you're looking for an easy trail. Over 50 miles of natural surface trails within Knoxville's Urban Wilderness provide unparalleled hiking experience for adventurers of all skill levels. Dogs on leashes are welcome here and you can take them to the dog park when youre done hiking! OR. This park is located in east Knoxville and is one only 20 minutes from downtown Knoxville. Its an easy to moderate hike that extends from the West Overlook across the ridge to the East Overlook. 2023 Take Me To Tennessee | All Rights Reserved, Where to Stay in Knoxville: 11 Best Hotels in The Marble City, 9 Perfect Spots for the Best Brunch in Knoxville. FORKS OF THE RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Just minutes south of downtown, you'll likely be surprised at the diversity inside the 331-acre Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area. Plus, if youre a fan of wildlife, youre sure to see some here furred, feathered, and scaley. Powered by . There are plenty of places to explore in the Urban Wilderness. This park is located in south Knoxville right off of Cherokee trail road. Share it with us so your neighbors can learn about it too! Parking Lot Co Gregory Bald via Twentymile is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Robbinsville, North Carolina. Read more Knoxville, Tennessee High Ground Park 1 mi / 50 ft gain This park is located in south Knoxville right off of Cherokee trail road. Image via River Sports. Over 50 miles of natural surface trails within Knoxvilles Urban Wilderness provide unparalleled hiking experience for adventurers of all skill levels. https://www.facebook.com/littlerivertrading/, 2408 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804, 6 Winter Getaways Within an Easy Drive of Knoxville, The 7 Best Places for Long Runs in Knoxville, The Ultimate Tennessee Road Trip: How to Spend 7 Days in the Volunteer State, Cherokee National Forest Lost Creek Camping. IJAMS RIVER TRAIL The most popular hike at Ijams is likely the Lake Trail. Girl Scout Troop #20793. Climbers have mapped out dozens of routes on the craggy walls and rafters flock to take on the 45-miles of class II-IV rapids. Mt. Approaching the top you'll walk along a rocky ridge line where you are able to see the overlook. Phil Hartman / Shutterstock. Already more than 210 miles of trails are accessible, stretching from Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga to the state line with Kentucky in the Cumberland Plateau. Please obey these guidelines for a safe activity and to help maintain the trails: -Natural trails have uneven surfaces and obstacles use at your own risk. The quarry is right off of Island Home rd and has a large parking lot. You will go up the di Little River Trail to Backcountry Campsite #30, Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop, Mount LeConte Lodge via the Boulevard Trail, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, North Carolina, Southern Smokies: Fontana Lake to Clingman's Dome. It makes for a relaxing day hike with no doubling back along the same trail, and its a great alternative to its big brother on the other side of the lake. Hike Look Rock Tower On The Foothills Parkway For Amazing Views. Directions: 2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville Hours: 8 am until dusk. This is an amazing gem in south Knoxville only 7 minutes away from Gay Street. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we might receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. Knoxville, TN 37950-1592. The parking lot here is quite large and in the busy season it has an overflow lot too. Before you head out on a hike, its always a good idea to check the trail conditions and the weather so you can be prepared for whatever the trail throws at you. After parking, the trailhead itself will be to the left of the parking area. Looking for the best hiking trails in Knoxville? With so many segments and options for hiking, making sense of it all can be a bit of a challenge. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Ijams Nature Center is only 10 minutes from downtown Knoxville and is a great place to escape city life and enjoy the outdoors. LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave, Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, North Carolina, Southern Smokies: Fontana Lake to Clingman's Dome. Alvin C. York State Historic Park Hiking Trails, Best Hiking Trails near Knoxville, Tennessee. The hike is 2.4 miles roundtrip and begins at the parking lot between mile 8 and 9 up an old dirt road. A classic American adventure since the 1920s, when more people could afford to own automobiles and started seeing them as a, Difficulty: 1 Time To Complete: 2.0 days Distance: 0.0 miles Seasonality: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Dog Friendly: On Leash Only If you are looking, Theres nothing quite like sleeping out in the great outdoors with a campfire crackling nearby and the stars twinkling in the sky. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community. I live near downtown and can get to House Mtn in about 30 minutes from my house! Park at Deep Creek campground in Bryson City, NC. Norris Dam State Park Distance: 30 minutes north of Knoxville Nearby Cities: Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, Rocky Top Best For: Spontaneous trips and water activities Dogs: Dog friendly. After the crest it starts descending towards Meigs Creek. A popular hike here is the Concord Park Trail. Each trail offers a one-of-a-kind experience, allowing you to engage in nature and enjoy the outdoors in the Nashville area. Favorite Hikes With Kids In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Lake Trail, Radnor Lake State Park. Its brimming with so much nature and so many things to do it can be a bit overwhelmingfrom trekking the depths of the Great Smoky Mountains to learning the ins and outs at Ijams Nature Center in town. This park is small but offers a nice wilderness in the city. Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this picnic pavilion creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visit Overview This greeway is located in north Knoxville near the Sterchi Hills neighborhood. Other Attractions at Ijams include the Keyhole, an Instagram-worthy passage under a rock bridge; the Ijams Homesite, HP Ijams original homestead with birding trails, terraced gardens, and rock ponds; and Ijams Crag, an impressive cliff wall with bolted routes and anchors for rock climbers. Mount Sterling Loop via Baxter Creek and Big Creek Trails, Deep Creek Picnic Area via Deep Creek Horse Trail and Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hiking Trails, Daniel Boone National Forest Hiking Trails, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Hiking Trails, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Hiking Trails, Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park Hiking Trails, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Hiking Trails, Cumberland Mountain State Park Hiking Trails, Fort Loudon State Historic Park Hiking Trails, Sgt. Access: All sites are drive-up. It can be done as an ambitious day hike. This greenway starts at the Island Home Park and goes through Ijams Nature Center and the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area. An area run by the National Park Service thats often overshadowed by nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Obed Wild and Scenic River area is an East Tennessee gem many locals have come to loveand one that doesnt have the hordes of tourists typical of the GSMNP. The park is home to the historic Fort Higley which was a Civil War fort built by the Union to protect Knoxville. The parking lot is very large and can accommodate 15-20 cars. Andersonville, Tennessee. Which trail will you hike first? The trail is mostly paved with only a small bi High Ground Park (Fort Higley) is an out-and-backtrail that takes you through a nice forest and park located near Knoxville, Tennessee. 1. The first day of the hike is either 12.3miles or 10.5miles (depending on the campsite) almost all downhill, and the second half of the loop is 13.3miles or 11.5miles, again depending on the campsite, almost exclusively uphill. As it is a loop it could easily be done in reverse. To start the hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook begin from the Noland Divide Trailhead in Deep Creek. The road that leads you into the CNF is known as Halls Top Road just a few miles off of Interstate I-40. Not every hike in Tennessee has to consist of climbing up to the top of a rocky mountain. It is the only "accommodations" inside the park boundaries. LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, and this is an extremely popular hike, so arrive early to get a parking spot and beat the crowds. Foraging is currently all the rage at top, The warm days and crisp, cool nights of autumn make the perfect conditions for a weekend hiking and camping excursion. The park is only a few minutes from downtown Knoxville. Is there a place that we should know about? Its just one of 28 Small Wild Areas set aside by the Tennessee Valley Authority, natural areas few people even know exist. When its time to come back down to earth, give yourself some different scenery by taking the 1-mile, moderately-rated Mountain Trail (blue blazes) back to the parking lot. While f Drive the Foothills Parkway National Scenic Byway. Ah, the road trip. The states most ambitious trail project in recent memory, the Cumberland Trail, will contain 300 miles (when complete) of backcountry trails perfect for day hikes or multi-day DIY adventures. If youve thought about hiking, you should know, Mountain biking has always been a sport that is both thrilling and great exercise. After 200 miles of climbs, descents, and endless emerald tree tunnels, the AT bids good-bye to Tennessee with a gift: rare high openings in the verdant canopy known as balds. In early summer, the views of row upon row of folded mountains are just backdrops for stunning orange and pink azalea and rhododendron blossoms. With that said, lets take a look at some of the best hiking trails to include in your Knoxville itinerary! Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation1,800 ft), in the Cades Cove area. Great Smoky Mountain National Park Cades Cove Loop Road: Want to get out of the house but don't want to walk? This park is also dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furriest hiking buddy as long as you keep them on a leash. The quickest way to a view is to take the 0.8-mile West Overlook Trail (marked with white blazes), which is rated difficult, up the west end of the mountain to the West Overlook. You can do this 10 mile loop from the comfort of your car! There are plenty of places to explore in the Urban Wilderness. This one is moderately-rated and should take under two hours to finish. Looking for more Knoxville travel inspiration? In Autumn and Winter, youll have less obstructed views of the city and Smoky Mountains in the distance. The majority of these trails are multi-use natural surface, either packed dirt or crushed rock, but some short connections are on paved greenway or streets. There are also lots of opportunities for wildlife sightings and a wide variety of plant life and wildflowers. We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Knoxville. This 416-acre park serves as a wildlife refuge with plenty of recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and, of course, bird watching. This route to Clingmans Dome is available throughoutthe year. This fan-favorite trail starts out with a steep, continuous incline, fantastic views of the quarry and the city from the top, an old cemetery for a fun, historical stop, and then a quick, steep decline. Butduring the winter months from December 1 through March 31, the 7-mile Clingmans Dome Road that branches off Highway 441 at Newfound Gap, stays closed. Cades Cove Campground In Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This place is located right in the middle of Halls Crossroads. Because of this the tower is placed on the highest ridge around making for some amazing views. There is a lot activities to do at the quarry. When youre exploring the depths and wonders of East Tennessee, where to start? One Story Got it Wrong. The parking lot has about 30 spaces and about 50 spaces in overflow parking. Education, permits, regulations and where to hunt in your area, Local archery ranges, tips for beginners, and advice on the proper
As it is a loop it could easily be done in reverse. To start the hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook begin from the Noland Divide Trailhead in Deep Creek. We may earn from affiliate links to help run this free blog (at no additional cost to you), which means we may earn from qualifying purchases. Looking for the best hiking in Knoxville? Knoxville, TN. Hiking is a great way to get active and enjoy nature, and what better place to do that than right here in Knoxville? The trailhead parking area is large but if no spaces are available additional parking can be had at the Jake's Creek trailhead at the top of the hill and to the right of the Little River trail parking lot. The foothills parkway runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains. There is a lot activities to do at the quarry. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 56 scenic trails in the Knoxville area. We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Knoxville. That said, theres no shortage of difficulty at Ijams if youre looking for a challenge. Feel free to drive the 11 mile loop in the day, but if you're really cool, you'll schedule your trip around a full moon so you can bike under the light of night!