Knoxville’s 6 Best Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Nothing is as refreshing as sunshine and a walk in a beautiful park. Thanks to a pioneering park system, Knoxville’s got that in spades and more. The city promotes an active lifestyle through the Knoxville Urban Wilderness, 4,500 acres of interconnected green spaces. It’s a small part of an expansive system that encourages Knoxville residents to get outside to kayak, hike, bike, run, and bird watching. So stretch your legs and head to these beloved Knoxville parks for some fun in the sun.

World’s Fair Park

Address: 963 World’s Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916

Visitors to central Knoxville can’t miss the expansive central green space once home to the World’s Fair in 1982. The park served as the primary site for events and exhibitions during the fair. Only three structures are left; among them is the iconic Sunsphere, now a beloved city landmark. Visitors ride its elevator to the observation deck for views of the park and city landscape. 

The park’s Performance Lawns still host city events, festivals, and concerts throughout the year. Kids love the water features at the Court of Flags Fountain. It’s a perfect spot for cooling down in the summer months. Find the splash pad beside the playground park’s area, making it a one-two win for burning off youthful energy. 

Even better is how the park’s walking trails connect into the Second Creek Greenway. This pathway takes park-goers to the riverfront, the UT campus, and the Neyland Greenway. Altogether, miles of recreation are accessible from a central city location beside its prized downtown landmarks.

Ijams Nature Center

Address: 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920

Welcome to the heart of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness. This historic initiative has preserved 1,000 forested acres in Knoxville. Ijams Nature Center is on the south downtown waterfront and is one of the most prized places to visit in the city. The landscape combines rugged, rocky overlooks, small lakes, a riverfront, and thick woodlands.

What makes Ijams so special? First, Ijams preserves the landscape’s historic legacy with four Civil War sites, pioneer cemeteries, and the Ross Marble Quarry. It showcases the region’s endemic flora and fauna, with environmental classes and programming from its Nature Center.

For urban play, Ijams has 40 miles of multi-use trails. That includes four miles of hiking-only trails and dedicated mountain bike trails. At the quarry, Ijams Crag has 12 bolted routes for rock climbers of all skill levels. Fishing is allowed at the quarry, and paddle craft are rented in the summer months. 

High-adventure enthusiasts now have a zip-line adventure park high in trees with 60 elements to conquer. And the Primal Playground entertains kids with its natural-built elements that encourage creativity and movement. 

Part of the trail system links into the South Loop of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness, adding distance to your day outdoors. 

Victor Ashe Park

Address: 4901 Bradshaw Rd, Knoxville, TN 37912

Victor Ashe Park’s facilities support active sports and recreation. Multiple soccer and football fields are packed on the weekends with youth games. Concessions sell snacks when in season. The facilities also include:

• A tournament-level disc golf course.
• Sand volleyball.
• Paved and natural surface trails.
• A fishing lake. 

The trails in the park connect to the Victor Ashe Greenway, the Northwest Greenway, and Pleasant Ridge Greenway. Along the way, they wind by a lake and green meadows. In total, they form 4.4 miles of pathways for walking, bicycling, skating, and rollerblading. 

Pups will love the Dogwood Park, an off-leash park with features like a tunnel, water foundation, and inclined hill for specialty training. 

Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area

Address: 3140 McClure Lane Knoxville, TN

At the confluence of the French Broad and Holston River are preserved hunting grounds and 6.5 miles of trails. Forks of the River attracts visitors for its scenic views of the waterways and surrounding landscapes. These views are particularly appealing during sunrise and sunset. Deer and turkey are present year-round in its woodland forest and open crop fields. It makes for excellent wildlife viewing.  

Forks of the River is easily accessible, with multiple designated parking areas for visitors that increase trail access. Trails and amenities are well-marked for convenience. On the north end, the trail system connects to the paved Will Skelton Greenway and onto Ijams Nature Center.

Lakeshore Park

Address: 6410 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919

There’s a reason this is Knoxville’s most visited public park, and it’s for more than just the youth sports games at the soccer and baseball fields. The Tennessee River creates a serene and scenic backdrop for activities within the Lakeshore Park.

On its 185 acres, find well-maintained walking and running trails that wind through the park’s green spaces. Among the meadows is the Main Lawn, where the City and Conversancy hold annual events like the Lakeshore Park Picnic. The restored Lakeshore Chapel is a beautiful building crafted of local stone, now rentable for weddings and other special events.  

Anglers can enjoy fishing along the banks of the Tennessee River within the park at two piers. Kids love the playground area, which is designed to be inclusive for all children, with multiple play areas and special equipment. Adults can let them play with the scenic mountain views as their backdrop. The overlooks and views truly make it a remarkable place to stop for a picnic or sunset walk.

The Cove at Concord

Address: 11808 South Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37922

The Cove at Concord is popular for water-based activities, outdoor recreation, and a scenic environment. The main highlight of the 500-acre The Cove is its access to Fort Loudoun Lake. This almost-island has a boat launch ramp, a swimming beach, and a rentable paddle craft. Anglers are welcome to try their luck catching a fish of the day. 

Besides the water-based fun, The Cove’s dog park will keep the four-footed friends happy. Kids have a playground and a skate park. Sports include volleyball, soccer, and baseball facilities. Mountain biking and the paved Concord Greenway scenic trail add to the reasons why this is a top park in Knoxville. 

Greenspaces in Knoxville

The Sunsphere city spoils its residents with an escape from urban life at every turn. The adventure-packed Knoxville Urban Wilderness is genuinely one of a kind. Still, all its parks deliver big on waterfront access, sports activities, and beautiful scenery. So get out there and find your choice for a favorite Knoxville park. The abundant recreation spaces is just one of the advantages of moving to Knoxville.