These nature trails act as an attraction that can offer various experiences for vast groups of people. They offer paved paths purposed for bike usage or the less conditioned trail trekking. There are more naturalized trails filled with vegetation, wildlife, inclines and declines. There is even a beautiful river trail that opens into a boardwalk that is built into a breathtaking rock formation.Perfect for families, pets, and any level outdoor explorer.

Great place for kids to explore nature and get some energy out. We did the Tower Trail and circled back on the River Trail which took us and our two kids (8 and 4) about an hour to finish. There was light rain when we visited but we barely felt it beneath the trees. Restrooms and drinks/snacks are at the visitors center, plus everything was free, though they do accept donations. Masks are required indoors.

I had my wedding at Ijams and everything was PERFECT! Nathan was a great communicator, he made sure everything went smoothly on my special day. The ceremony site was beautifully intimate, the reception hall was big enough for family and friends that still allowed us to be socially distant and to comply with CDC guidelines. They allowed us to use their small kitchenette to refrigerate the cake until our reception, and some of their decorations for our tables. Overall it was a beautiful event and I couldn’t be more grateful. I strongly recommend using Ijams to host your wedding- and the price couldn’t be any better!

A literal mountain playground, just outside of downtown! I mean, from skyscrapers and coffee shops to roots and rivers. Amazing!

If you love nature, you HAVE to visit this place. It is by far one of the most inspiring parks I have ever been to. The good news: you can do a lot with just an hour walk. There was one trail that was closed off that I would love to get to! The boardwalk is super awesome!!!!

Pretty cool very nice and respectful staff. They all wear masks which is very nice

Beautiful spot escape the city and spend an afternoon. There is one portion of the River walk that was damaged last year and is not accessible, but there are plenty of other trails and green ways. The handmade stone staircase is cool, albeit a little intimidating for less experienced people walking the trails. They are exercising an abundance of caution by requiring masks inside the visitor center and having a hand sanitizer station with a sign requesting use before entering the shopping area. The exhibits were closed and I believe the water fountains had a sign on them about being turned off due to Covid.What I liked:1. It was great to get out in nature especially since it was not crowded at all on a Tuesday afternoon. (I think we saw maybe 10 people the entire time we were there).2. Cautious Covid measures3. Varying difficulty and length of the trails4. Bathroom was very clean, and had great informative signs describing the materials that were recycled to make the counters etc and motion sensors and timers saving electricity.

Sooo many places that are just amazing. The staff at the nature center seem pretty equal to the beauty and diversity of this..park.Though navitat is a sight everyone should see, my only negative comment would be that its not affordable for a regular joe/jane. I recommend they create a Groupon/coupon for 2 ppl at the one ticket price of $45.Theres so many places that one wouldnt know existed here unless one explores.Be cautious of the gates and closing times. Ive been locked in crag, which wasnt as bad an experience as one would think. Just very inconvenient.

Great little nature spot. Took the kids 4, 6 and 1 in the stroller. Not a simple task but very fun and very beautiful. Next time I have out of town visitors I will be showing that spot off.

Grumpy people exhibits closed I dont know what the exhibit hall is but the area to the right as you walk in where the stuffed animals and other things were was closed and the lady at the desk told us to put some hand sanitizer she didnt ask us or would you she just told us to. just seem very gruff

Beautiful way to spend the morning! If you are a fan of natural areas, this is a good spot to check out. Had fun and the visitors center attendant was very friendly and helpful when we asked about navigating the trails

Beautiful day walking the nature trails. Great seeing families out enjoying all that Ijams had to offer. GREAT PLACE

A hidden gem, it was a beautiful experience away from the regular tourists attractions. It was very quiet and the trails appeared mostly natural. The river boardwalk on Tennessee river was unique and provides an excellent photo backgrounds. This is a must visit place if you want to disconnect from your daily routine and get close with the nature.

Awesome for the whole family. Bouldering, rock hopping, picnicking, hiking, paddle boarding, mountain biking, and other outdoor fun!

What a nature preserve. Plenty of trails for small children as well as adults. There is history here also with what is left of marble excavation operation. The board walk along the river was really nice. It has Geological sites that are marked along the trail. This facility has zip lines and a obstacle course in the trees. The visitors center, restrooms and nature center is closed due to Corid-19 right now but still a great place for outdoor activities. We are going back tomorrow with our grandson and check out the quarry. I highly recommend a visit to this place.

Beautiful park with miles of trails. If you’re not into hiking, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. The nature center offers ropes courses, kayaking, has two rehabilitated birds of prey on display, and has an adorable gift shop with an interactive exhibit.

Well maintained trails surrounding the Welcome Center are easy for the family to walk with slightly steeper rock steps descending the river trail to the River Boardwalk. Steep elevation trail up to the Stanton cemetery and overlooking the quarry.

Offers plenty of fantastic trails. Be sure to take the Lake Trail.(Some of the smaller inside exhibits are temporarily closed due to covid.)

This is such a unique place to visit! There are numerous trails to walk. The River walk was very relaxing and peaceful, our 7 year old and 2 year old were able to walk it too. I carried my 5 month old and did not have a struggle. I definitely do not recommend a stroller through this trail though. Once we got down to the river it was beautiful. Many photo opportunities along these trails as well. There is ample parking and after you’re finished hiking (or before you start) there is a shop with cold beverages, some snacks, souvenirs, etc. Nice place to visit if you are in the Knoxville area!

This place is great, even if the Riverwalk is closed for repairs. Really liked the quarry and SUP rentals and the trails that are open are really nice.

I hate to give 3 stars because it is beautiful here but this just wasn’t the best experience for my family and I. When I walked into the welcome center to ask about the trails, it was clear that it was my first time here. I received very little help. I bought a map thinking we could just figure it out on our own but the map was very confusing. We spent our entire visit walking around in a circle just to end up back to the parking lot. We never got to see what we came here for. I just wish the people working here were much more vibrant and willing to help.

Loved it .. it was beautiful ... I love the trails and easy for older ppl like me .. a must see

Highly recommended if you’re visiting Knoxville. We tried both trials around the lake (medium difficulty / steep hike) and the boarded river walk (beautiful scenery & good vibes)

Love this place. Its beautiful. Didnt do any activities. Just walked. But its a beautiful place.

This is a great place for a family trail hike. The trails are well maintained, and there are many things to see. It is great for all ages!!

The quarry is gorgeous. The waters are turquoise clear. There was a lot of people too, but it was a beautiful sunny day!!

This place is awesome! Unless youve done a ropes course before, start easy. The kiddos came in a little brave and we had to back out on the moderate course. And theres enough time to work your way up if you keep moving. Crew was awesome and super supportive of the challenges being faced by the kids. Hope to swing in again soon!

Great trails. I only did the trials from the lot to the river boardwalk. Took about 15 mins to walk down. 3.5 miles from the hotel I was staying at in Knoxville.

We love ijams! Trails, swimming at the quarry, even renting paddleboards. Super family friendly and out in nature without having to go further to the mountains.

Took a New Years Day Hike and enjoyed it a lot, enough to return again and again for other activities with them, the guides were fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easily interacted with the large group of hikers, also it was very affordable...

Great off-road trails here. Trails are well marked and well maintained. We will definitely be going back the next time we are in the Knoxville area.

This was a wonderful way to spend a few hours on a chilly afternoon. Thankfully we stopped at the visitors center and picked up a $1 map to make our way around. Beautiful scenery and views. Definitely recommend vising the here and taking a short hike up to the old Quarry!

This is a great little hidden gym that I discovered when I was in Knoxville️You have to find it though not hardbut I think once you’re there you’ll find that it’s actually quite nice & it’s free swimming I do believe they rent kayaks and they even provided free sunscreen ️crazy uh THERE IS BATHROOMS The only request I would ask for and I get that it’s free place but it would be nice to have a shower even just a simple beach shower

The staff was tremendous. Alex,Ryan,Matt and especially Mary were extremely helpful and friendly. Thank You from both my son and myself.

This place is quite nice and well maintained. It has very knowledgeable staff who seek to connect with the public to teach the importance of ecology conservation. I’m always impressed every time I come here and there’s no better place in Knoxville to go mountain biking or a hike.

Strongly suggest visiting. Plenty to do and a shorter drive than the smokies if you are not wanting to spend alot of time in traffic.

This is very relaxing and peaceful place to visit. River trail is so good and its not difficult. Kids can walk this too and you get to see very beautiful view of river with an amazing wooden sidewalk to it. They allowed us to walk some part of the trail and closed rest of the path because of some work going on due to a tree collapsed on the way. Though its a short trail, we had very great time and we get to see a peaceful view of the river. This is a must place to visit in Knoxville.

Best little not soo secret little place in town. The amazing views abundant wildlife, and trails via foot or bike.. The river sports venue has been at the location for a while now you can rent canoes, kayaks or paddle boards.. Beware swim at your own risk at the Quarry.. I believe it’s 80ft deep and there is a very sparse land around the quarry.. Overall great place to hangout for any age group or season!!

Hiked to keyhole, beautiful day and nice short trail

This place is an amazing resource for the Knoxville area. The trails provide realistic and well-preserved views are plants and animals indigenous to this part of the world. Many of the trails lead to views of the Meandering Tennessee River with box turtles perched on logs and otters swimming find lunch. The mission of this place is admirable and should be supported by all of us.

Great place to kayak, swim or paddle board. Also great visitor center and gift shop

Had a great time hiking with my wife and 11 month old. Breathe taking view looking down to the blue green lake! I would do it again!

Beautiful place. Had a lot of fun with the family. Would not recommend to swim here even though I have heard that a lot of people do. Some trails are very steep and hard to get through, but the views are definitely worth the mile walk uphill. Kayaking is available and looks pretty exciting. The quary is crazy gorgeous!

Such a beautiful nature park.Very peaceful and quiet. Its nothing but mother nature and you!! I highly recommend Ijams Nature park.

It was a very relaxing place to visit at your own pace

Mead Quarry connected to Ijams was a wonderful way to spend our Thursday. I love that they offer affordable paddle board rental ($12 an hour)and they also offer kayak & canoe rental. It wasnt crowded, however I overheard that the weekends get crowded. Theres not a lot of space to put your items once you are at the water so take this into account when going down. There are picnic tables b4 you walk down and 2 bathrooms that were pretty clean when we got there around 11 am but by 2:30 they were getting questionable. Im surely going back to this place in the future. Really an enjoyable day! (*A good many people brought their dogs down, some picked up poop, some didnt. Itd have been nice if the poopers picked it up.... One let go right near our lunch cooler, I found that highly annoying. Mostly because it was large and smelly and its a smaller space anyway.)

Lots of trail options here. Quarry side is less crowded but both sides are great!

Great place to get away and enjoy a nice hike. Be careful of the trails as some can be muddy and slippery after a rain. Would recommend to go on a day in which there is fewer people. Nice place to go and enjoy a nature hike right in the midst of Knoxville.

Great place! I cant believe it took me so long to check it out! We took the Tower Trail to the Riverwalk (which is partially closed due to damage from flooding) and headed back. A short, but beautiful, walk. Cant wait to go back again and try some of the longer trails!

Absolutely beautiful!Lots of different trails.Natural beauty overload.The kids had a blast.

I love it there. Its an good place to get away and to relax, enjoy nature. Here are some pictures i took.

I love to have a place to take my dog to that is so accepting, and so much consideration for our four legged buddies.

I had a great time and went swimming and hiking here it is awesome and fun.

I have been coming here for years. Great place to hike, bike, and swim in the quarry. There are other things to do there as well. I come for the hiking. Its a big place. Lots of trails, safe place, and very beautiful.

Very nice cool place with zip lining and tree house available for kids as paid service. Walking around trails and beautiful view of Tennessee River is gorgeous.

A little piece of heaven right in South Knoxville. Ijams is well-maintained, clean, and easy to navigate! The river trail and boardwalk is gorgeous. Stop by the quarry for a little kayaking and get a beer too!

Ijams Nature Center is the most beautiful Mother nature outdoor theme park.My two son’s Diamond and Rain wanted us to explore the majestic outdoors on a family hiking trail.This beautiful family outdoor event was free; they also have a wonderful gift shop with restrooms.The tree houses and trails are just great for any day for walking, riding a bike or just renting a canoe

Nicely tended trails, beautiful views, and lovely forest to explore!

Beautiful place to go and relax. It also has nice trails by the water. I havent been kayaking here yet, but its to cold for me now. I will have to wait for summer..

Very nice place. Lots of walking trails and biking too. Things for children to do and a cute gift shop. Could spend hours there. A small playground is located close to the main trail opening. Clean and tidy.

Nathan was an absolute wonder for showing us the area, telling us the history, and answering our questions. Incredibly relaxing nature preserve with an abundance of beauty to see and hear.

This place is way awesome! There’s lots of easy hiking to choose from and it’s very kid friendly. The only downside is the main parking lot seems to get full easily, so you have to seek out other parking areas.

I love these natural park. The scenery is amazing here. Because youre 5 minutes from downtown Knoxville. so once you start walking on the trails you dont feel like youre in the city anymore. Its a good place to take your dogs. Its also a great place for kids and your family to go. In the summer they have a bunch of programs for kids to learn about nature. The keyhole and the river Boardwalk are some of my favorite spots to go. You also have different levels of hiking trails from easy to very difficult.

Fun place! Lots of grear nature trails. It says closes at 5 on Google, but thats just the indoor portion. It stays open until dark. Tons of great walking trails. 0.2 miles down to the river. Very hilly, but we took a stroller and baby. Wasnt too difficult except for the hills.

First time coming to this nature center and I gotta say this place is absolutely jaw dropping. My significant other and I came here to go hiking and we had a blast. We started with Tharp trace which goes up the mountain around the quarry (tons of great pictures) we ended up seeing a pair of deer and a owl out in the woods. We tried to explore the River Boardwalk, but unfortunately half way through it was closed for reconstruction (apparently a mudslide and fallen tree broke the boardwalk). Before we set off on our journey we stopped to see the 2 beautiful birds one being a hawk and the other being a vulture unfortunately they are both injured and cant fly but still beautiful birds. They also have a neat little gift shop and animal exhibit inside of the visitor center. If I could rate 10 stars I would, we definitely will be returning.

Beautiful nature center along the Tennessee River. We enjoyed seeing the natural caves along the river, seeing the rescue raptors, and hiking through the woods.

What a beautiful spot! The signage was a bit confusing at times but make sure you take the kids to Jo’s Grove! And the boardwalk was of course amazing.

Plenty of hiking, educational indoor exhibits, a goofy shop, Frog/turtle pond, navitat ropes course. Since were from out of town, were especially grateful to have discovered this place. We even took my parents back at the end of the week.

Very nice hike! Perfect for active families and their active dogs.. Ive got a hyperactive dog so this works out well.

We had a great time walking through the various trails. The river boardwalk was pretty cool and ran along a series of rock formations and caves.

Very nice and peaceful! I recommend this highly to everyone!

Good trails. Awesome place for kids to discover nature.

Lots of Awesome Trails to hike & walk. Great Water Views & Zip lining possibilities

We went here on a field trip. Its an interesting place. I learned alot and I am sure the kids also learned alot. This is a great place just for a walk and you can also bring your dogs here.

Beautiful place and wonderful trails but sending out a warning to all truck campers, Rv and 5th wheels. The parking lot is so over grown where the tree branches hang down and branches grown out into the parking lot. Parking lot not very friendly for travelers.

My favorite place to go hike in town! I absolutely love this place, its a great spot to go get away and meditate or exercise, or just get a little closer to nature!

This is a beautiful gem right near the center of Knoxville. The hiking paths are lushous and green, the quarries are amazing as well. The water is a great temperature for swimming. The designated swimming area is pretty small so definitely bring a floaty so you can paddle around the lake.

Beautiful nature trails right along the river, really cool childrens play area, and super close to downtown Knoxville!

Took the kids here and had a wonderful time! Saw a bunch of tadpoles and this giant would highly recommend this place to any family that wants to have a walk in nature.

Such a nice place with kind people. Lots of local beauty and good place to exercise.

Perhaps my favorite place in all of Knoxville, TN, Ijams and the greater Urban Wilderness system of trails offers a wealth of outdoor activities for avid outdoor enthusiasts or anyone looking to spend some time outside. From hiking and running trails, to mountain biking, fishing, swimming and boat rentals in Meads Quarry, the Navitat ropes course, a beer garden, and so much more, Ijams has an adventure for everyone. The south loop is a fantastic twelve mile continuous loop of trails, perfect for long distance runs, hiking, or mountain biking. Take a stroll down the Will Skelton Greenway, especially in late summer, to see beautiful sunflowers. The nature center is also full of wonderful educational experiences and learning opportunities for all ages. Knoxville is doing great things by investing in and preserving this excellent outdoor experience.

Went pretty late in the day, the nature was fairly sparse, but the trails I went on were solid, had some interesting sights and decently short. a bit of elevation and a few good spots to sit.

Beautiful hiking trails and education center! Definitely a place to bring the whole family to (even pets!). Trails are easy to navigate and have some lovely scenery.

I love going to this place. It is so close to the city, yet so far away. There are a couple trails that I like to go for a hike. The river boardwalk is my favorite, its nice and quiet and cool being right on the water. It is a fairly easy trail to hike. Well worth checking out if you are looking for a relaxing time away from the city life.They also have a ropes course here as well.

Great nature center that’s still open to the public during the pandemic. Nice break from reality, definitely go if you’re in the area!

Loved the paved trails for easy bike riding with the kids. The Nature Center is very beautiful with lots of information and learning opportunities.

An impressive nature trail system about 5 minutes from downtown Knoxville. Very well-kept. Several miles of walking trails and stunning views of the Tennessee River. Informative signage and a great place to swim at Meads Quarry. Very quiet for being so near the city. They have treetop adventures, but we are saving that for next time. An instant favorite place for me and my family.

I just love this place. Sometimes we take a power hike through one of the trails. Another time we might casually stroll to see the sunset over the water. The hummingbird Festival is one of the highlights of my year. We bring families here when they come to visit us from out of town. I get great nature pictures from all different spots.

A super place to enjoy nature. Just hike the trails, rent a paddle board or canoe, or travers the ropes course. It’s fun for all ages with something special going on nearly every weekend from movies under the starts to the hummingbird festival. Go - get outside.

Cute good size park.

What an amazing day watching the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra aka The East Tennessee Bluegrass association. Didnt want to leave. Jam session at end was amazing.

Wow I have lived in Maryville for three years since moving from Louisiana and I must say i cant believe I waited so long to visit Ijams. I love it already and will be going back

Beautiful place! Wish we would have had more time to explore more of it. Our next visit to Knoxville well definitely be coming back to see more.

Fantastic place. - nuff said.

Grabbed a map from the centre and the ladies were wonderful!!! Until you figure out that you need to drive to different parking lots, for the trail heads, it was confusing. We hiked most of the quarry trails, and the are lovely. Some need s bit of work, as the footing is s bit precarious. And a few areas are so overgrown, you feel like you are in s tunnel. But overall a lovely day. Loved the little beer cart.

A cute little nature center with nice little trails...perfect for children and families, but not for those wanting a real challenge. Lots of plant life, squirrels & birds. You can also rent bikes, paddleboats, etc. Pretty cool. Nice for a relaxing walk.

Closed and most trails are closed. I parked by the train tracks and walked to the boardwalk the back way. Beautiful trail with caves, stone features, and river access.

Fantastic hike with hills and boardwalk. Fairly easy but stone steps require no wheels.

This is a great place. Loved hiking on the trails and they have a quarry with a beer market. YAY!!!!

We love this place. The kids love climbing on the rocks and the trails are well kept and shaded.