So pretty. Barely even knew it existed! Will most definitely come back in the summer!

Absolutely gorgeous place to swim and relax! I highly recommend going there atleast once to see for yourself. It was a little tricky to find where you can actually access the water though. There were several people there (at the lookout), that couldnt find how to get to the water either. But that may be a blessing in disguise because if youre like me, you dont want to swim where its too crowded. There were several people swimming and relaxing last week when I went, but it wasnt too crowded. Everyone was spread out nicely. Anyways, its a great place for adults to swim. I dont think its a good idea to take children though due to the depth and drop offs in the water and the fact that its an eclectic group of adults who go there to relax, like I did. Hope this helps!! Enjoy!

Beautiful crystal clear water. Wonderful view and awesome trails

This quarry is beautiful. But it is not kid friendly. Beer cans laying all over, people drinking, even under age kids drinking. Trash cans over flowing with trash. This park really needs to be policed better. Parking is great, short walk from parking to the quarry. It was hard to find a spot to put our stuff down. Even when we did, i still didn’t get to far way so I could watch it. Dogs at the quarry not on leashes. There was even some pot smoking

This place is absolutely beautiful! Unfortunately that is the only nice thing I can say about it. I took my family here for a fun Saturday, but this was not the right scene for us. There were many, many young people in their 20s drinking and even smoking weed. I had a hard time finding a shallow area free of people for my children to play. There was also a snake in the water. It could be better on a weekday, but I will probably not go back sadly.

Well, the quarry itself is lovely! And the water looked fantastic. But, the clientele was... terrifying. The parking area was very full on a Thursday at 3:30 and there is a fairly limited area that you can actually access the water. The entire area where you can actually access the water was full of people smoking and drinking and it was just disgusting. The whole area smelled like garbage and smoke and alcohol. Such a shame because it would be lovely if it wasn’t for the people there. I would never leave my backpack unattended there. We walked down to the water, turned around, and went to Mead’s quarry instead.Mead’s quarry wasn’t THAT great either, but it felt much safer and we actually stayed a while.

The quarry is so beautiful!Only 4 stars because it was very difficult to find. There arent any maps or markers to show you where to go. When you get to Fort Dickerson Park, park in the first parking lot on the left. Then take the trail. Its about a 20 minute walk with one fork (stay left). Dont wear flip flops as the trail is up and down and rocky.The water has both cold spots and warm spots, so its perfect for everyone. There are trash cans and port-a-potties. Definitely bring a floaty if you have one!

Great place, absolutely beautiful! If you want to swim, just know its a little bit of a walk down to the swimming area on gravel. Not bad, but hard for disabled people in walkers or wheelchairs. If youre disabled or with someone who is, I think Meads quarry has easier access, personally.

This is a great swimming hole with an enjoyable hike to and from parking. We saw people using floats and my group swam across the quarry, but the people watching over the quarry politely asked us to not climb on the rocks. All in all we had a fun time.

First time there. People need to clean up after their dogs a lil better.

No road access for cars yet, but the trails were amazing and the water was warm! Such a beautiful sight to see.

Love this place!!!! Not small child friendly.

Beautiful view from Fort Dickerson. The actual quarry itself can be very fun. Take a raft or a blow up mattress or your favorite vessel and float along in the sunshine.

Great place to take a swim with the family! We enjoy this quarry better than Meads Quarry

Super pretty. Love coming to float in the water. Parking can be difficult during busy times. Id recommend bring floats and snacks to enhance the experience.

This is a beautiful Quarry but is definitely NOT KID friendly or family friendly. Beer cans EVERY where even in the water. Trash overflowing young adults cussing and drinking and even smoking pot. Needs to be maintained better and patrolled more.

Good times swimming at ur own risk but still funny for all

You must go back roads to get to the entrance. once there it is a little walk down hill to get to the Quarry but was there it is tons of fun.

Great spot for a swim. Beautifully clear water that is 300 feet deep in places. Its a popular place, so from time to time there is a lot of litter. Please dont jump from the cliffs, many people have died here. Keep a good eye on children, although beautiful and one of my favorite places it is dangerous. Please drink responsibly! They recently put a new parking lot in and trash cans. I heard they are working on adding permanent bathrooms.

Beautiful, warm water. Trail around the quarry was nice as well.

Great place for a hike!

Pretty but not the best place to swim. It has a lot of drowning deaths.

Parking is a bit chaotic but definitely a beautiful spot to cool off during the Tennessee summer.

It is beautiful, but I couldnt find a way down to it! I only found the overlook. :/

Its a beautiful view from the lookout above however; we never found our way down to join the swimmers we saw.

Such a beautiful place! Great hike up and down to the Quarry. Need shoes because there are rocks in the water. I had no idea that this place would be right smack dab in the middle of town. It was beautiful. Definitley needs some city workers to come by and at least dispose of the overfilled trash cans.

10/10 the snakes don,t even bite and the water is so deep you cant even see the bottom but it was amazing btw to anyone who wants to go ssnakes there arent poison the sad thing is no one is allowed to jump of the cliff anymore but still 10/10

This place is awesome! Hard to find close parking, but there is other parking you just have to walk farther!

Fort Dickerson is a little bit more lawless than Ijams quarry, but it is beautiful and the water is really nice.

This place is very beautiful, cool place to swim

Lots of trash but beautiful place

Place has been cleaned up and looks great.

Gorgeous place! My only complaint is that the water had a slight gross smell to it. We also had a little trouble finding it. Go to the gravel parking lot on Augusta ave. The water is clean and clear! There are some great smaller cliffs to jump into the water and many larger, dangerous ones. Definitely worth a visit.

Beautiful new parking lot which provides easier access to the water.

Very neat historical site.

Not family friendly. Drug use was prevalent, and not a family friendly atmosphere

Beautiful place with nice hikes and swimming. Beware thieves.

Nice trails...and lots of them

A beautiful place to take the family ♡

Great place to cool off after hitting Baker Creek

Beautiful place if you can get to it! Road closures are not mark...good luck.

This place has become my new serenity

I often hang out here to swim for a while after class or on free days. Its usually pretty peaceful even with other people also enjoying the area. There are a number of friendly people who come here regularly and paddle around on inflatables, and they all seem decent people. I would recommend some water shoes or sandals as the gravel is a bit rough on bare feet.

Great natural place for deep water soloing!

I love this place, but I dont love it when talentless mouth-breathers deface my SoKno happy place. Watch for broken glass. Albeit, it still beats the heck out of the public pool!

Its a good place to go swim and have a day out

Best swimming hole in town. Hopefully the city doesnt make it too much like Meads Quarry - that place is lame. Unfortunately, SOME people who frequent the Fort Dickerson Quarry cant be bothered to clean up after themselves...especially smokers.

Great place for short or long hike. Also great for mountain biking. The quarry is neat. However, its in a seedier part of town. Ill bring a buddy next time.

Lots of homeless and gets very deep, too deep to swim

Beautiful natural area, which is absolutely been ruined by people. Filthy, trashy and gross. I will be back for a clean-up!

Great view and place to cool off. Go early.

Great clean water and cliff jumping

Great scenic view

Definitely wear water shoes, and be prepared to see a lot of trash overflowing from the cans. However, the area is gorgeous, and the water is nice. If people could just manage to not be slobs, it would be even better.

This place is dear to my heart since my husband proposed at the top of the cliff! Absolutely beautiful view and relaxing to visit.

This place was disgusting! There were people smoking weed everywhere! Puke everywhere... the water had a oily film on top of it... it smelled aweful..

Great place to relax, swim, kayak, float, paddle board, and much more. Safe place as long as you play it safe. There are plenty of smaller safer rocks to jump off of to have fun and still be safe. We spend 4 to 6 hours here at a time.

Super deep. Super beautiful and secure in the summer with periodically visiting officers.

PSA: PICK UP your TRASH, this place should stay IMMACULATE. Its a place where locals and visitors can come to unwind and enjoy swimming and fellowship. Its church for many. The measure of beauty can only be shown by its natural state and we shouldnt change the landscape anymore than it has been. Let nature be.

It is a great place to go hang out, swim, most water sports. It was a bit over crowded and trashy.

Really cool spot right in the middle of Knoxville. In the summer its a great swimming hole but the crowd is eclectic. Youll see everything from college students and families to pot smokers and homeless people. People bring their instruments and play whatever the marijuana and nature speaks to them :oD There are garbage cans, but theres a lot of litter also which is kind of sad. Ive been down to the quarry when no one is there also and it can feel sketchy if Im being honest. We passed some crack heads on the way out. They didnt mess with us but it felt pretty unsafe for 2 women. The water is beautiful and its surely worth going at least once! Go in a group or if you girls want to go, swallow your pride and bring some dudes for presence. Note: There are 2 parking lots if the gate is open drive to the lower and its literally a 3 minute walk in. There are porta potties there in the closet lot.

It was absolutely beautiful.

10 to 3pm for kids after that its gets to be college kids and high schoolers

Pretty spot, then I saw a needle floating in the water, so beware for swimming.

The water feels great

Love the vibe, great place to enjoy time away that is so close to Paradise...

Such a beautiful place. Next time we will get in the water. Beautiful hike to the quarry. The lookout is stunning.

This place is special. I dont know what it is, but its just special. We cant wait to come back again and again.

Beautiful view!!!! I recommend to bring booties since there are lots of rocks and something that floats since the water is very deep.

Looks interesting and fun. I didnt spend lots of time there. Went swimming in the quarry lake adjacent to the fort.

New road access and small parking lot for the quarry. The trails around are not well marked and a little hard to follow. Stay inside the old chain link fence on the south/east side of the park

Went to a July 4th clean up party there, music and awesome people. Curious to see how the city of Knoxville plans to develop it, as the original paying is blocked off for construction

Cool spot to relax at, bring your girlfriend here if shes from a major city. They havent seen anything like this.

,always looking different, season by season great to visit anytime...

Amazing peaceful view to find in the middle of a city. A must see for both tourists and locals.

Beautiful!

Very quiet and peaceful

Water was wonderful, hike into it a bit much, road was closed, no warning, construction at quarry.

Nice trails for hiking

I went here with my boyfriend and 2 younger kids and people were drinking and throwing their bottles everywhere and I got glass in my foot then people were smoking weed and while I was walking they asked us if we wanted a hit so not a good place to bring kids or anyone under 21 because they bring people drinks and drugs here.

Pretty good time. Pretty. Crowds and trash can get outta hand though

Full of water. Strongly recommend if youre looking for water.

Beautiful area

Pretty

Gorgeous views and the clearest water

Quarry is beautiful! The water felt perfect. I would have liked to finish hiking but we ran into a huge homeless camp. That was the only downside to it.

Nice place to get away after a long busy day.

Beautiful view!!!

Its a great place to party or just kick back and chill

I love this place. The water is beautiful and the over look is beautiful. The jumps are pretty awesome but arent allowed. Regardless, this is my favorite quarry Ive ever been to!

Fun!!! But lost my cell in the water

If theres no police presence dont go used to be a nice place to take the kids.

It is so neat to be able to see where an actual Fort was. They have taken great strides to clean the area up and there are some fantastic views!

This place is 100% my favoritw place to swim. You have to park where the train tracs are and go up the hill and follow the fence to the right to get there! My favorte place to cliff dive!!

Great local swim hole for free nature is beautiful

After driving around for 30+ minutes to find this Quarry (its not easy to find and there are no signs pointing the way) I found this beautiful place. I was so excited to finally get there, I walked a ways down the gravel trail to see if I had to carry my kayak down the trail to the water (it is a long trail). There were 2 City Park workers lounging at the beginning of the trail and I had asked one if I could drive down the trail (it appeared as if vehicles had driven on it) to which one worker responded and said he would help me carry my kayak down. How nice right?! The other worker who was lounging in a hammock listening to music spoke up and said no kayaks allowed. I asked since when!?! He shrugged his shoulders and said I dont know but thats what the sign says.Apparently the sign went up about 2-3 weeks ago banning any kind of water craft except personal blow-up floats etc. Talk about a huge disappointment!!! I really hope the city retracts this ban. I feel much safer paddling around in my kayak than I would on a blow-up float in a Quarry. This is a huge site, plenty of room for everyone and all types of non-motorized watercraft!

Found out the quarry is spring fed, clear clean and beautiful

Good park with historical earthen fort, picnic space and a fantastic view of UT AND downtown. New pocket park at entrance will be beautiful once landscaping matures. Good parking at observation point and at top of park.

Always enjoy the time I spend here.

Great summer fun.