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The Best Outdoor Things To Do In Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee is home to some of the best outdoor activities around. From hiking and biking to kayaking and camping, there’s an outdoor activity for everyone in Knoxville. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll through the woods or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, Knoxville has something for you. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best outdoor things to do in Knoxville. So, grab your hiking boots and let’s get started!
Hiking
Knoxville is home to some of the best hiking trails in the state of Tennessee. From short, easy trails to long, challenging treks, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced hiker, Knoxville has the perfect trail for you. Some of the best hikes in the area include:
- House Mountain State Natural Area
- Ijams Nature Center
- Seven Islands State Birding Park
- Frozen Head State Park
- Warrior’s Path State Park
The House Mountain State Natural Area is a great place to start if you’re a beginner hiker. There are several easy trails that offer stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. For more experienced hikers, the Ijams Nature Center has a variety of trails that range from easy to difficult. The trails at Seven Islands State Birding Park are perfect for birdwatchers, offering stunning views of the park’s namesake seven islands. Frozen Head State Park is a great place for a longer hike, with several trails that range from easy to difficult. Finally, Warrior’s Path State Park offers trails for all levels of hikers, as well as some great camping spots.
Biking
Knoxville is a great place for cyclists of all skill levels. From beginner-friendly trails to challenging mountain bike trails, there’s something for everyone. Some of the best places to go biking in Knoxville include:
- Will Skelton Greenway
- Knoxville Urban Wilderness
- Concord Park
- Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area
- Haw Ridge Park
The Will Skelton Greenway is a great place to start for beginner cyclists. The trail is flat and easy to navigate, making it perfect for those just getting started. The Knoxville Urban Wilderness is a great place for more experienced cyclists, with several trails that range from easy to difficult. Concord Park offers several easy trails, perfect for those looking for a leisurely ride. Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area is great for mountain bikers, with several trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding area. Finally, Haw Ridge Park is perfect for those looking for a more challenging ride, with several technical trails.
Kayaking
Kayaking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Knoxville. The city is home to several great kayaking spots, perfect for those looking to explore the area from a different perspective. Some of the best kayaking spots in Knoxville include:
- Fort Loudon Lake
- Melton Hill Lake
- Tellico Lake
- Chilhowee Lake
- Douglas Lake
Fort Loudon Lake is a great spot for beginner kayakers, with several easy routes that offer stunning views of the lake. Melton Hill Lake is a great spot for more experienced kayakers, with several challenging routes that offer stunning views of the surrounding area. Tellico Lake is great for those looking to explore the area from a different perspective, with several calm routes that offer stunning views of the lake. Chilhowee Lake is a great spot for those looking for a bit of adventure, with several challenging routes that offer stunning views of the lake. Finally, Douglas Lake is great for those looking for a longer kayaking excursion, with several routes that offer stunning views of the lake.
Camping
Knoxville is home to some of the best camping spots in the state of Tennessee. From peaceful lakeside campsites to rugged mountain backcountry sites, there’s something for everyone. Some of the best camping spots in Knoxville include:
- Big Ridge State Park
- Cove Lake State Park
- Frozen Head State Park
- Norris Dam State Park
- Panther Creek State Park
Big Ridge State Park is a great spot for those looking for a peaceful camping experience. The park offers several lakeside campsites, perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the scenery. Cove Lake State Park is great for those looking for a more adventurous camping experience, with several rugged backcountry sites. Frozen Head State Park is perfect for those looking for a longer camping excursion, with several trails that offer stunning views of the park. Norris Dam State Park is great for those looking for a more challenging camping experience, with several rugged backcountry sites. Finally, Panther Creek State Park is perfect for those looking for a more remote camping experience, with several rugged backcountry sites.
Fishing
Knoxville is home to some of the best fishing spots in the state of Tennessee. From peaceful lakes to challenging rivers, there’s something for every angler. Some of the best fishing spots in Knoxville include:
- Fort Loudon Lake
- Melton Hill Lake
- Tellico Lake
- Chilhowee Lake
- Douglas Lake
Fort Loudon Lake is a great spot for those looking for a peaceful fishing experience. The lake is home to a variety of species, including bass, catfish, and crappie. Melton Hill Lake is a great spot for those looking for a bit more of a challenge, with several species of fish, including bass, catfish, and crappie. Tellico Lake is great for those looking for a bit of adventure, with several species of fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and striped bass. Chilhowee Lake is perfect for those looking for a bit of a challenge, with several species of fish, including bass, catfish, and crappie. Finally, Douglas Lake is great for those looking for a more remote fishing experience, with several species of fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and striped bass.
Boating
Knoxville is home to some of the best boating spots in the state of Tennessee. From peaceful lakes to challenging rivers, there’s something for every boater. Some of the best boating spots in Knoxville include:
- Fort Loudon Lake
- Melton Hill Lake
- Tellico Lake
- Chilhowee Lake
- Douglas Lake
Fort Loudon Lake is a great spot for those looking for a peaceful boating experience. The lake is perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the scenery. Melton Hill Lake is great for those looking for a bit more of a challenge, with several coves and bays to explore. Tellico Lake is perfect for those looking for a bit of adventure, with several areas to explore. Chilhowee Lake is great for those looking for a bit of a challenge, with several coves and bays to explore. Finally, Douglas Lake is perfect for those looking for a more remote boating experience, with several coves and bays to explore.
Rock Climbing
Knoxville is home to some of the best rock climbing spots in the state of Tennessee. From beginner-friendly routes to challenging climbs, there’s something for everyone. Some of the best rock climbing spots in Knoxville include:
- House Mountain State Natural Area
- Ijams Nature Center
- Seven Islands State Birding Park
- Frozen Head State Park
- Warrior’s Path State Park
The House Mountain State Natural Area is a great spot for beginner climbers, with several easy routes that offer stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. The Ijams Nature Center is great for those looking for a bit of a challenge, with several routes that range from easy to difficult. The Seven Islands State Birding Park is perfect for those looking for a unique climbing experience, with several routes that offer stunning views of the park’s namesake seven islands. Frozen Head State Park is great for those looking for a bit of adventure, with several challenging routes that offer stunning views of the park. Finally, Warrior’s Path State Park is perfect for those looking for a more remote climbing experience, with several routes that offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
Horseback Riding
Knoxville is home to some of the best horseback riding spots in the state of Tennessee. From beginner-friendly trails to challenging mountain routes, there’s something for everyone. Some of the best horseback riding spots in Knoxville include:
- Big Ridge State Park
- Cove Lake State Park
- Frozen Head State Park
- Norris Dam State Park
- Panther Creek State Park
Big Ridge State Park is a great spot for those looking for a peaceful horseback riding experience. The park offers several lakeside trails, perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the scenery. Cove Lake State Park is great for those looking for a more adventurous riding experience, with several rugged backcountry trails. Frozen Head State Park is perfect for those looking for a longer riding excursion, with several trails that offer stunning views of the park. Norris Dam State Park is great for those looking for a more challenging riding experience, with several rugged backcountry trails. Finally, Panther Creek State Park is perfect for those looking for a more remote riding experience, with several rugged backcountry trails.
Golf
Knoxville is home to some of the best golf courses in the state of Tennessee. From beginner-friendly courses to challenging championship courses, there’s something for everyone. Some of the best golf courses in Knoxville include:
- Holston Hills Country Club
- Fox Den Country Club
- The Golf Club at Deer Run
- The Country Club of Knoxville
- Canyon Ridge Golf Club
Holston Hills Country Club is a great spot for those looking for a peaceful golfing experience. The course is perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the scenery. Fox Den Country Club is great for those looking for a bit more of a challenge, with several challenging holes that offer stunning views of the surrounding area. The Golf Club at Deer Run is perfect for those looking for a bit of a challenge, with several challenging holes that offer stunning views of the surrounding area. The Country Club of Knoxville is great for those looking for a bit of adventure, with several challenging holes that offer stunning views of the surrounding area. Finally, Canyon Ridge Golf Club is perfect for those looking for a more remote golfing experience, with several challenging holes that offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
Rafting
Knoxville is home to some of the best whitewater rafting spots in the state of Tennessee. From beginner-friendly rivers to challenging rapids, there’s something for everyone. Some of the best whitewater rafting spots in Knoxville include:
- Pigeon River
- Nolichucky River
- Little River
- Big Pigeon River
- Ocoee River
The Pigeon River is a great spot for those looking for a peaceful rafting experience. The river is perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the scenery. The Nolichucky River is great for those looking for a bit more of a challenge, with several class II and III rapids. The Little River is perfect for those looking for a bit of adventure, with several class II and III rapids. The Big Pigeon River is great for those looking for a bit of a challenge, with several class III and IV rapids. Finally, the Ocoee River is perfect for those looking for a more remote rafting experience, with several class III and IV rapids.
Conclusion
Knoxville is a great place for outdoor activities. From hiking and biking to kayaking and camping, there’s something for everyone in Knoxville. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll through the woods or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, Knoxville has something for you. So, grab your hiking boots and get out there and explore the great outdoors!