Outdoor Recreation
The East Tennessee region is internationally renowned for some of the most spectacular and accessible natural beauty anywhere. Nature-lovers can choose from numerous parks and recreational spaces including vast forests, abundant fresh-water fishing streams, and lakes.
Hikers, campers, skiers, rock climbers, kayakers, boaters, hunters, fishermen, golfers and other outdoor sportsmen find East Tennessee to be the ideal outdoor sports location.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the country, with over 500,000 acres of rugged mountains, waterfalls, lush valleys, and breath-taking vistas, just minutes from downtown Knoxville.
- Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, 90 miles of scenic gorges and valleys
- Obed Wild and Scenic River is part of the National Park System
- Two national forests, nine state parks, numerous hiking trails, and three whitewater rafting rivers
- Seven Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) managed lakes covering 266 square miles and nearly 3,500 miles of shoreline
- Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center Adventurers of all levels can rent paddle boards, bikes, and kayaks
- Legacy Parks Foundation is a non-profit organization which works to assure that the community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty and open spaces
- Knoxville Urban Wilderness, 1,000-acre outdoor adventure area will connect ten parks, over 50 miles of recreational trails, three civil war forts, historic settlement sites, and diverse ecological features and recreational amenities.
- Ijams Nature Center, a 315-acre wildlife sanctuary where people can hike, bike, paddle, climb, learn, explore, or simply enjoy outdoors
- Windrock Park, 73,000 acres of off road adventures and offers a variety of amenities including more than 300 miles of trail riding and hiking and camping.
- Over 100 miles of greenway trails in the Knoxville area
- Numerous golf courses throughout the region