Knoxville, Tennessee is an outdoor lover’s dream!
With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park less than an hour away, the Tennessee River flowing through the heart of the city, and pleasant weather most of the year, the options for outdoor adventuring are many.
One of the best ways to describe Knoxville’s climate is that we get to experience all four seasons fairly evenly. I will be the first to admit that I loathe winter, but I will take an East Tennessee winter season day over a chilling, gray Midwest winter any year. (And I say this with all sincerity as a former Michigander.)
But, over the years, I’ve learned that wearing the right layers, weatherproof shoes, and comfortable, fleece-lined pants or leggings makes all the difference. And, practical activewear can still be stylish! (But that’s a topic for another day.)
My husband, John, and I try to get outside as much as possible, especially on the weekends — with adventures on our motorcycle, jet ski, kayak, or simply on foot.
Personally, I love a long walk on a scenic trail in any season. And the greater Knoxville area is certainly not lacking in accessible trails. Here is a list of some of my favorites.
My Favorite Knoxville Area Trails
Knoxville City Greenway
The Knoxville area boasts over 125 miles of greenway, and several sections are even connected.
Click here to learn more about the entire Knoxville Greenway system.
Lakeshore Park
Lakeshore Park makes up one of the larger portions of the Knoxville greenway network, though it is not the largest by any stretch.
Newly renovated, Lakeshore is situated along part of the Tennessee River. The park covers 185 acres of land, with 4 miles of trails, numerous pavilion areas, playgrounds, recreational sports facilities, and restrooms.
Open from dusk till dawn, seven days a week, this park is a popular place, and one of our go-to spots to walk our Old English Bulldog, Gus.
Ijams Nature Center Trail
Located inside Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville is one of the larger sections of Knoxville greenway. The Ijams trails cover over 14 miles that take you through a wildlife sanctuary, Mead’s Quarry, and the Ross Marble Natural Area.
The Ijams trails are free to access and open from 8:00 am till dusk, year round. Dogs on leashes are welcome, too!
Third Creek Greenway
Yet another paved section of greenway, Third Creek covers 5.3 miles from the neighborhood of Bearden all the way to the University of Tennessee Gardens.
Third Creek is a favorite not only for its length, but also for its feeling of seclusion in nature even though you are mostly surrounded by neighborhoods. The path does open up to the river once you reach downtown for a change of scenery.
Parking areas (and ideal places to start) include: Third Creek Park, Tyson Park, Sutherland Drive, and Laurel Church of Christ on Kingston Pike.
This trail is open dawn till dusk and dogs are welcome on a leash.
Concord Greenway
Not part of the Knoxville City Greenway system, the Concord Greenway is a 2-mile trail that winds along the Tennessee River from Concord Park to the Cove at Concord Park in Farragut township.
The views of the river and sailboats at the yacht club make this trail another go-to for us, especially with our dog, Gus.
Parking options include Concord Park, the Cove at Concord Park, and a few spots adjacent to the bridge between the two.
I.C. King Park
Located just outside of Knoxville in nearby Alcoa, Tennessee, I.C. King Park offers almost 8 miles of unpaved trails around Knob Creek, an inlet of the Tennessee River.
The park’s main trails are flat, but if you are looking for elevation gain, I.C. King has that, too. Just take the trails along the ridge.
Open dawn till dusk, this park is also dog friendly and even includes a dog park, pavilion area, playground, and restrooms.
World’s Fair Park
Let me start with a quick history lesson. Did you know that Knoxville hosted the World’s Fair in 1982? It’s true and also the reason Knoxville earned the nickname “Scruffy City.” A news article criticized and questioned the ability of such a “scruffy little city” to pull off this world-renowned event — yet, Knoxville proved the critics wrong and adopted the “scruffy little city” label with pride.
Today, World’s Fair Park remains in downtown Knoxville, along with the Sunsphere and Tennessee Amphitheater — both original structures from the fair.
Open 6:00 am till midnight, the park is open to the public and of course dog-friendly.
Off the Beaten Path Trails Near Knoxville, Tennessee
I mentioned that my list of favorites includes trails in and near Knoxville, and I have a few more in the “near” category.
Haw Ridge Trail and Melton Lake Greenway
Located between Knoxville and Oak Ridge, Tennessee to the northwest, this trail starts at Haw Ridge Park along the Clinch River and connects with the Melton Lake Greenway along Melton Lake — which takes you all the way to Melton Lake Park and beyond.
Overall, Haw Ridge Park and the surrounding area offers almost 30 miles of dirt trails to explore, along with numerous recreational activities both in and out of the water.
Open from dusk till dawn, and pet-friendly, this is another of our dog-walking favorites. Truly, any trail near the water is a favorite!
House Mountain in Corryton, Tennessee
Last but not least, House Mountain is THE trail to visit around Knoxville if you want to actually hike. House Mountain is indeed a mountain with a 2,100-ft elevation gain — Knox County’s highest point — and 5.8 miles of trails.
According to the Visit Knoxville website:
“The West End Overlook presents views of the Cumberland Mountains to the north, the Smoky Mountains to the south, and a glimpse of downtown Knoxville on the horizon. The views from the East End Overlook feature the Clinch Mountain range which runs northeast all the way into Southwest Virginia.”
The trail is open from sunrise to sunset and dogs are allowed on a leash.
Only 15 miles from Knoxville, House Mountain is worth the drive for a heart pumping trek.
If you’re a fellow Knoxvillian, what did I miss? Share your favorite trails and greenway spots in the comments.
Want more hiking inspiration?
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