Spring Break in Knoxville is a great time and place to get a taste of what our outdoor scene has to offer. We’ve got weeks worth of parks and trails to choose from, so here are some ideas to get you started. You may just have to plan another visit once you find out how much there is to explore!
Piece together the Urban Wilderness trails.
It’s easy to work in a few miles on the weekend, but did you know there are 50 miles of trail that make up Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness just a few miles from downtown and campus? With those extra days to spare, now is the right time to piece together some of those miles and explore the diverse areas of the Urban Wilderness. Wind through the slabs of marble by Mead’s Quarry, scout out wildflowers at Marie Myers Park, and catch a glimpse of the beginning of the Tennessee River at Forks of the River WMA. Just grab a few friends, plan out your route, and hit the trails!
Paddle to dinner!
Rent some boats and head to Island Home Park to launch onto the Tennessee River. Time it just right, and you might catch the sun setting over downtown just as you pull in to Calhouns on the River! It’s a great way to end a paddle, but don’t forget you’ll need a car parked there to get you back to where you started!
Tour the overlooks
Make a day of it, and hike to the highest point in Knox County at House Mountain for great views of the Cumberland, Clinch, and Smoky Mountains. Then head over to Sharp’s Ridge where you can choose to hike or rest your legs and drive straight to the overlook of downtown. After taking in these high-up perspectives in east and north Knoxville, head south to Baker Creek Preserve and top it off at Pappy’s Point.
These ideas are just the beginning of all the possibilities in and around Knoxville. Check the Urban Wilderness Outdoor Events Calendar for fun events happening outside all week, and make sure to #getoutandplay!
