Knoxville Outdoors

 

Knoxville is One of the Region’s Most Accessible Cities for Authentic Outdoor Adventure

Whether on a greenway through a historic park or on a natural trail through the woods, you will observe historic relics and beautiful wildflowers among the dogwood trees on these easy, three-mile hikes. Pedal your way along the colorful Dogwood Trails on family friendly bike rides through scenic neighborhoods and on local greenways.

”You might be surprised by what this Southern metropolis has to offer in the way of outdoor adventure.” Jess Daddio, Blueridge Outdoors Read More...

Knoxville’s varied and inspiring landscapes offer the perfect spot for any type of outdoor adventure. You won’t have to venture far to find a river for paddling, a forest for hiking, or trail for watching native wildlife. From exciting downhill single-track trails to serene quarry lakes, bubbling mountain streams, or impressive rock outcrops, Knoxville’s varied and inspiring landscapes offer the perfect spot for any type of outdoor adventure.

Explore the Urban Wilderness

  • Urban Wilderness

    Urban Wilderness

    Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a spectacular outdoor adventure area where you can hike, bike, climb, paddle, or just wander in the woods – all within the heart of the city. Over 50 miles of trails and greenways connect you to a beautiful...

    Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a spectacular outdoor adventure area where you can hike, bike, climb, paddle, or just...

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Adventure Awaits You!

Adventurers of all ages enjoy the authenticity and accessibility of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Located less than three miles from downtown Knoxville, this recreational destination features more than 50 miles of natural trails (including some of the best mountain bike trails in the southeast), Ijams Nature Center, quarry lakes and more. Bikes, canoes, and stand up paddle board rentals are available at various locations.

Where Will Your Adventure Take You?

Outdoor Events

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  • Boo at the Zoo

    Boo at the Zoo
    October 18 - 28, 2018

    BOO! at the Zoo presented by U.S. Cellular® is Knoxville’s largest Halloween event featuring 12 nights of safe and not-too-scary Halloween fun perfect for preschool and elementary-aged children. A Halloween tradition for 31 years, BOO! at the Zoo is...

    BOO! at the Zoo presented by U.S. Cellular® is Knoxville’s largest Halloween event featuring 12 nights of safe and...

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  • Fleet Feet Sports Open Run or Walk

    Fleet Feet Sports Open Run or Walk
    October 18 - December 27

    Sometimes, a group of workout buddies is just what you need to get out there run! Join us every Thursday night at our store for a fun group run/walk. We have all levels come out, so no matter what your speed you'll have someone to keep you company....

    Sometimes, a group of workout buddies is just what you need to get out there run! Join us every Thursday night at our store...

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  • North Knoxville Beer Runners

    North Knoxville Beer Runners
    October 18, 2018

    Meet us at Central Flats and Taps EVERY Thursday night at 6pm for a fun and easy run leading us right through Last Days of Autumn for a midway beer! After you have taken part in 10 runs, you will receive the super stylish North Knox Beer Runners...

    Meet us at Central Flats and Taps EVERY Thursday night at 6pm for a fun and easy run leading us right through Last Days of...

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  • Sunset Dinner Cruise

    Sunset Dinner Cruise
    October 18 - November 16

    Experience an unparalleled view of Knoxville on our fantastic Sunset Dinner Cruise. Take a seat at your private table. Enjoy a two-hour cruise around Knoxville and indulge on a three-course meal featuring fresh ingredients. Visit our bar on the upper...

    Experience an unparalleled view of Knoxville on our fantastic Sunset Dinner Cruise. Take a seat at your private table. Enjoy...

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  • SUP Yoga at the Cove

    SUP Yoga at the Cove
    October 18, 2018

    Yoga & Standup Paddleboarding are the perfect complement to each other. Whether you are a first-time paddler or seasoned athlete, practicing yoga on a SUP will enhance your workout by developing balance, flexibility and achieve overall whole-body...

    Yoga & Standup Paddleboarding are the perfect complement to each other. Whether you are a first-time paddler or seasoned...

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  • Thirsty Thursday Group Rides

    Thirsty Thursday Group Rides
    October 18, 2018

    Join us on every Thursday on our Sharps Ridge Group Ride. This ride starts from the shop using neighborhood roads to get to the trails. It's a great warm up before hitting the trails. We will enter the trails at the Ridge Ave/Hanover St. trail head....

    Join us on every Thursday on our Sharps Ridge Group Ride. This ride starts from the shop using neighborhood roads to get to...

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  • Trails & Ales: Journey to Mt. Everest with John Quillen

    Trails & Ales: Journey to Mt. Everest with John Quillen
    October 18, 2018

    Peaking Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world, is an adventure many of us only dare dream about. What does it take for an East Tennessee Native to turn a dream into a reality? What happens when a Sherpa's life is at risk just before the epic...

    Peaking Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world, is an adventure many of us only dare dream about. What does it take for...

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  • Friday Night Special at the Climbing Center

    Friday Night Special at the Climbing Center
    October 19 - December 28

    Come join us every Friday from 6pm-Close for our discounted climbing night

    Come join us every Friday from 6pm-Close for our discounted climbing night

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  • Legacy Luncheon for the Parks

    Legacy Luncheon for the Parks
    October 19, 2018

    National Geographic Explorer, Pete McBride, will be the featured speaker at the Legacy Luncheon for the Parks on October 19 at the beautiful Holston River Farm at the Head of the Tennessee River. The annual luncheon funds the work of Legacy Parks...

    National Geographic Explorer, Pete McBride, will be the featured speaker at the Legacy Luncheon for the Parks on October 19...

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  • Movies on Market Square

    Movies on Market Square
    October 19, 2018

    Knox County Public Library is hosting the 14th year of Movies on Market Square presented by Knoxville TVA Employee Credit Union. The series aims to highlight the Library’s vast collection of movies and music with more than 22,000 DVDs representing...

    Knox County Public Library is hosting the 14th year of Movies on Market Square presented by Knoxville TVA Employee Credit...

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  • Night Hike Owl Prowl

    Night Hike Owl Prowl
    October 19, 2018

    Owls can be found year-round at Ijams Nature Center, if you know when and how to look. Join Ijams Naturalists as we take to the trails in search of these nocturnal predators. The owl prowl begins with a meeting with one of Ijams Owls. On the walk we...

    Owls can be found year-round at Ijams Nature Center, if you know when and how to look. Join Ijams Naturalists as we take to...

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  • Clinton 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run

    Clinton 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
    October 20, 2018

    The 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run course takes runners along Eagle Bend Road toward JayCee Park with rolling hills and starting & finishing near 355 Commerce Street in Downtown Clinton, TN 37716. A course map is located at www.clinton5k.com. The Clinton...

    The 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run course takes runners along Eagle Bend Road toward JayCee Park with rolling hills and starting &...

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  • Nature Explorers Nature Mythbusters

    Nature Explorers Nature Mythbusters
    October 20, 2018

    Nature Explorers grows a love of nature through outdoor exploration, play, and hands-on lessons. This month we will focus on animals that often have myths surrounding them. We will learn that truth is far stranger than fiction, as we explore the...

    Nature Explorers grows a love of nature through outdoor exploration, play, and hands-on lessons. This month we will focus on...

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  • Dogwood Arts Fall Featured Garden

    Dogwood Arts Fall Featured Garden
    October 21, 2018

    Included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens, GATOP [God’s Answer To Our Prayers] features many hundreds of botanical specimens such as conifers and hollies, extensive displays of wildflowers, perennials, and groundcovers,...

    Included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens, GATOP [God’s Answer To Our Prayers] features many...

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  • Harvest Festival 2018

    Harvest Festival 2018
    October 21, 2018

    Come celebrate the fall harvest at CAC Beardsley Community Farm with a free, family-friendly community event on Sunday, October 21st! The Harvest Festival will celebrate the farm, the community, and all things fall. Enjoy free food, children's...

    Come celebrate the fall harvest at CAC Beardsley Community Farm with a free, family-friendly community event on Sunday,...

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  • Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade and Pet Expo

    Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade and Pet Expo
    October 21, 2018

    Cost: Free to attend, fee for parade participants The UT Gardens Knoxville is pleased to present our third annual Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade and Pet Expo, a fun Halloween-themed event sponsored by the UT Gardens Knoxville and the College of Veterinary...

    Cost: Free to attend, fee for parade participants The UT Gardens Knoxville is pleased to present our third annual Howl-O-Ween...

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  • KTC Group Run at Balter Beerworks

    KTC Group Run at Balter Beerworks
    October 22 - December 31

    Join Knoxville Track club's Monday evening social pace group run. Meet at Balter Beerworks and afterwards, stick around for a discounted beer!

    Join Knoxville Track club's Monday evening social pace group run. Meet at Balter Beerworks and afterwards, stick around for a...

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  • The Knoxville Pat Summitt Invitational

    The Knoxville Pat Summitt Invitational
    October 22, 2018

    Proceeds from the Knoxville Pat Summitt Invitational help support our mission in the fight against Alzheimer's. Please join us for this fun, great event. Food provided by Citico's restaurant.

    Proceeds from the Knoxville Pat Summitt Invitational help support our mission in the fight against Alzheimer's. Please join...

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  • Mountain Biking Ride at Meads Quarry

    Mountain Biking Ride at Meads Quarry
    October 23, 2018

    Every Tuesday evening (weather permitting) come ride the "South Loop" with extras. No Drop. Intermediate difficulty.

    Every Tuesday evening (weather permitting) come ride the "South Loop" with extras. No Drop. Intermediate difficulty.

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  • Nature Nuggets Creepy Crawlies

    Nature Nuggets Creepy Crawlies
    October 23, 2018

    Nature Nuggets gives preschool aged children and their caregivers their first glimpse into the basics of the natural world through stories, games, and exploration. This month we will be diving into the world of insects, arachnids, and other creepy...

    Nature Nuggets gives preschool aged children and their caregivers their first glimpse into the basics of the natural world...

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  • Full Moon Paddle

    Full Moon Paddle
    October 24, 2018

    Starting at 7:00 we will have pre-paddle gathering. Renters receive a complimentary beer. We will grill hotdogs for first come first serve, also complimentary! We have paddleboards, kayaks, hydrobikes, and canoe available for rent. All renters will...

    Starting at 7:00 we will have pre-paddle gathering. Renters receive a complimentary beer. We will grill hotdogs for first...

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  • KTC Group Run

    KTC Group Run
    October 24 - December 26

    Join Knoxville Track Club and Runner's Market every Wednesday evening for a social run. All paces welcome. Distance options vary. Grab a beer with some good folks afterwards!

    Join Knoxville Track Club and Runner's Market every Wednesday evening for a social run. All paces welcome. Distance options...

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  • Story Thyme in the Garden

    Story Thyme in the Garden
    October 24, 2018

    Grow with us! Pre-school age children are invited to join the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum for Story Thyme in the Garden. Every week we’ll learn a new theme as we explore the garden, read a story book, and do a fun craft. When: Every...

    Grow with us! Pre-school age children are invited to join the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum for Story Thyme in the...

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  • Wheel-in-Wednesday Bike Ride

    Wheel-in-Wednesday Bike Ride
    October 24, 2018

    Come out and join us for our Wheel-in-Wednesday bike ride. We have a guided city route and mountain bike route with for you to choose from starting at 6:30 at the brewery. Mikey and Austin will be leading the rides. All riders with get $1 off full...

    Come out and join us for our Wheel-in-Wednesday bike ride. We have a guided city route and mountain bike route with for you...

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  • Taste of Nature Wobbly Webs

    Taste of Nature Wobbly Webs
    October 26, 2018

    Each month Taste of Nature makes bold pairings of beer and natural history! In October we are pairing the spooky world of spiders with hard cider. Spiders can be unwanted house guests, and are absolutely beautiful when seen in their natural habitat!...

    Each month Taste of Nature makes bold pairings of beer and natural history! In October we are pairing the spooky world of...

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Knoxville is Featured!

301 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 | 800-727-8045 | 865-523-7263

301 South Gay Street,
Knoxville, TN 37902
800-727-8045 | 865-523-7263

© 2018 Visit Knoxville