Alvin K Bissell Park

(6 reviews)

1.8 mi

Love this park! A walking trail around the park, a hiking trail next to park, basketball court, a…read morepavilion with tables, and a large wooden playground (with the bouncy surface!). Variety of areas for differing age groups and something for everyone. The parking is easy and directly next to all the action. My two nit-picking suggestions? It would be great to have more bench seating directly surrounding the playground (especially for those who bring dogs but also want to keep an eye on kiddos) and a fenced playground would be amazing for the runners. Overall, this is the best playground in OR.

Very nice park with a walking trail and a big playground with a couple big slides and fort with…read moreswings. Very busy place. Picnic area with picnic tables. Handicapped parking, lots of parking. Nice, clean park.

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Haw Ridge Park

(4 reviews)

7.0 mi

Highly recommended for outdoor multi use adventures (Biking, Hiking, Running, Fishing, Kayaking)…read more Absolutely gem of an outdoor experience in East TN

What a beautiful spot right off Melton Hill Lake! We typically go on Sunday mornings and it is not…read morechaotic and there seems to be plenty of parking. Maps available as well as a pump and tools to get bikes ready to rock the trails. We have seen hardcore hikers, people casually walking dogs, mountain bikers, and people fishing. Trail options for any interests, time parameters,and abilities. There is a paved trail as well as many rocky dirt trails that branch off from the main paved. This morning it was a bit muddy off the beaten path, so please expect to get pleasantly dirty. Lake views, a creek, and the sounds of trees in the breeze. Heck yes!

Turbo the tortoise

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Carl Cowan Park

4.8

(11 reviews)

14.5 mi

Love this park. There is a trial in the back that leads out to the water. We love exploring this…read morewooded area. If you go all the way it leads to the disc golf park as well. Brody and I love catching the sunset in the water. They also have a basketball court, tennis courts and a paved walking trail as well.

Very large park with multiple places to swim. Clean with many walking trails, a splash park, a…read moredock, and picnic tables.

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Anchor Park

(3 reviews)

12.2 mi

What a lovely park! We've been making our rounds to all of the parks in the area and this one was…read moreperfect to explore in the morning before it gets lava hot. Many mature trees and the surrounding pond cool down the playground area. There is ample parking and a large restroom facility which are both convenient. Pavilion area that you can rent and a few docks jutting out into the water are nice touches, as is the extensive walking trail that goes around the park and surrounding neighborhoods. As for the play area, it is well-maintained and there is a large sandbox that is clearly very popular (hence, why I didn't take a photo with so many littles enjoying it). The playset has lots of stationary toys on it as well as an abundance of slides. The swing area is separated from the playground and has some unique swing options. Note that the sandbox and playground is directly next to the pond, so if you get high anxiety with young kiddos around bodies of water or have runners, you may want to forgo this park (or at least ensure you have an extra set of eyes/hands with you).

Great parking spot for the bike and walking trail here, also there is a soccer field and a pond to…read morefish in. Our kids have lots of luck catching sunfish, or during the Bob Watt Fishing rodeo once a year here CATFISH! The playground is well maintained and there are plenty of picnic tables and benches to sit and rest at. We are so glad to have this park in Farragut!

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Frozen Head State Park

(17 reviews)

15.7 mi

Stay Away! I hate it here!! I'd like to keep these beautiful trails all to myself! Nothing to…read moresee here with your pups. The parking is terrible, the Rangers are not helpful at all, and the restrooms are the worst! Just let me come here alone and enjoy this splendor Mother Nature has created! But in all seriousness, I love it here! You should check it out.

Holy mole! This is a fabulous state park. Totally free parking, incredible restroom facilities - I…read moreknow that might sound dramatic but they had air conditioning in them! This is something Florida needs to jump on board with. And there was so many great spots for ground camping as well as areas for campers/RVs. We spent a couple hours at the park doing the hike to the waterfall. It was pretty leisurely and the grade is mild so it made for a comfortable trek. If you are planning to hike here, drive as faaaaaar as you can before parking. If you choose to park in the first lots you'll be walking about a mile just to get to the trail head. The trails were beautiful and the waterfall is so fun! You really can climb and explore it, I would suggest bringing plenty of water to drink and shoes that you can walk through the water in.

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Falls

Founders Park at Campbell Station

4.9

(17 reviews)

10.0 mi

Love the paved paths and especially the Christmas Lights display. Great for all and the family…read moredog(s)

Best park in west Knoxville! Love the trees, trails, easy access, upkeep and friendly for walking…read moremy dog!

Creek near the parking lot

Christmas Lights in 2025

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Melton Lake Greenway

4.5

(6 reviews)

4.2 mi

Love this scenic trail! Paved and definitely stroller-friendly. There is shade from the many trees,…read moregorgeous greenery and flowers, an abundance of convenient parking areas, and of course, water views the entire way. Ducks galore gather in warmer months and you can even take in the rowing competitions. Pop into Adventures Outdoors to rent a paddleboard, bike, kayak, or even waterbike to explore in the water next to the greenway. There is also a great playground and pavilion next to Adventures Outdoors (immediately off the greenway), as is Calhoun's for yummy BBQ a little further down. No matter where this trail takes you, you are bound to get a great view during your workout. Just be careful with littles who may not be able to swim yet, as there is not much separation between the trail and the water. Have fun!

If you are staying in Oakridge and an avid runner, you must come here to try their Greenway! It's…read morewell paved, lots of people running or walking by, rowing nearby, and a feeding area for ducks, geese, and swans. There's a nearby power plant, that's the visible stack visible in the background. The clinch river is really pretty especially during sunset with the pink hues. I went in mid-April and there were a couple bugs around but nothing that was too terrible. The Greenway is also shaded by the many surrounding trees, so I wouldn't worry so much about the sun. Great place to unwind and take in the nature sights.

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University of Tennessee Arboretum

4.7

(3 reviews)

2.6 mi

I agree with Paisley that this is an amazing spot to start your plant and tree education. Many maps…read moreand info posters are located in the entry building, which is nice. There are areas to grab drinks and porto potties near the parking lot. There are countless short trails that take you to different areas of the well-maintained arboretum. The trails are cleared and well-marked, with benches and signs, maps, and descriptions of plant life throughout. All trails seemed to wind their way back to the entry road, which makes it easy to navigate if you are directionally challenged (cough cough* ME) and/or with kiddos. There is a cool conifer forest that my kids pretended was an enchanted forest in a magical kingdom. There are also wetlands and a new azalea collection. While a fun adventure, all of the trees were still pretty barren from the winter. I can't wait until more spring flowers start to bloom and to go back in the fall for the colorful foliage. I am sure it will be even more breathtaking.

What an amazing place to get away and get a short hike in. We came here on a Sunday afternoon just…read moreto see what was blooming and take a walk. This place never fails. Plenty of trails to explore, that feel excluded but all within ear shot of the highway. We try to make it out here a few times of the year. Would love to be able to bring the dog here but very understanding as to why they do not allow them.

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Covenant Health Fitness Center

3.4

(33 reviews)

11.1 mi

Membership is expensive depending on how much of the facility you use. The Gym is small and…read moreequipment needs updating. Often have to wait to use the equipment. If you only want a gym, there are better gym memberships out there. They do offer group classes, but these have been cut back a lot. Would be nice if they started some small group circuit training in the gym. Their tennis facilities are great if you play. They do have an indoor and outdoor pool. Locker rooms are a little dated, especially for the price point.

The men's showers and saunas are absolutely filthy! I have notified staff and the manager multiple…read moretimes with no response. I mentioned I may leave the club due to the lack of proper cleaning and he is old me that may be the best option! Insane

Still no improvement after notifying the manager multiple times times

The wood is filthy and deteriorating so o the point of being a safety hazard. Don Dare needs to take a look at these guys

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Sadly we joke about how long stickers, spit, water bottles stay under the heater never being picked up

Soaky Mountain Waterpark

3.5

(90 reviews)

38.5 mi

All and all we had fun here. I think it was worth the money. As long as you go in knowing you're…read moregonna wait in lines for the rides. I think maybe they could have more people at the top of the rides making it go faster. All over the park on signs and over speakers it tells you the weight limits for each ride. Rainbow revenge was a favorite of our family.

The search when you walk in was so invasive. They had these young teenage girls rubbaging through…read moreour bags and pulling out private and personal items (I.e. underwear). It was very inappropriate and the girls gave a lot of disrespectful attitude. Then on the rides, the workers were shouting out our weights which was awful. For some, it was embarrassing and not nice. I've been at other places that require a weight check, but never were our weights shouted out. The rides were good but we will never go back.

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Oak Ridge Outdoor Swim Pool

3.3

(4 reviews)

0.4 mi

A very neat piece of Oak Ridge history. Oak Ridge,…read moreTennessee, was established during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret U.S. government program to develop atomic weapons. It was officially founded in 1942. At its peak during the war, Oak Ridge's population swelled to around 75,000 people. This remarkable growth was driven by the need for a large workforce to support the development of atomic weapons, particularly the uranium enrichment process taking place at the Oak Ridge facilities. The city was shrouded in secrecy during its early years, with its existence not widely known to the public. It played a critical role in the development of the atomic bomb, including the uranium enrichment work carried out at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. There were restaurants, stores, food halls, and recreational structures built to support the city. This pool was one of those structures. This is a historic pool. It was originally constructed in 1944 by the Corps of Engineers and underwent major renovation in 1992-1993. It was reopened in the summer of 1994. The pool is spring water-fed and considered one of the largest in the nation with depths ranging from zero to 13-1/2 feet. It is located between Providence Road and Highland Avenue. It was not open when I stopped by but there is a plaque that describes it's history. It is a massive pool and easy to see from the parking lot. Their website states that it, "...is in need of major repairs as it is leaking large amounts of water each day and does not meet current code requirements. The City has selected a consulting firm to facilitate a planning process and gather data on existing conditions as well as collect community input to determine next steps for the pool."

This pool is great family fun for all ages. A very large pool with a changing room with showers to…read moreshower off the chlorine before heading home or even just to warm up for a moment. This facility has a roomy kiddie pool with a mushroom shaped shower for the young ones to frolic through and more fountains as you enter the main pool area that cascade as you walk into the sloping beach-like larger kid area ( about 2 ft deep before reaching the buoy line barrier). As you pass the buoy barrier the decline in the pool continues to approximately 4ft before reaching the dock area; which always have 2 lifeguards constantly patrolling (and I do mean patrolling) for everyone's safety. You have a large grassy area to lie your towels down or set up a sport cover as long as it doesn't extend more that 10ft Sq. Multiple trash receptacles, that are constantly maintained and an ice cream station later in the afternoon. My family enjoys this establishment and will continue to do so.

Mead's Quarry Park

4.1

(10 reviews)

22.5 mi

I tried coming here during summertime and it was a mad house and not one parking spot left. So I…read morewent by to check it out. There was a sign I forgot to take a picture of a ton of rules and regulations. Unsure if you could even bring a floatie because literally says no to everything else. They do have a dock you can walk on but the water is dark and murky. Just looks creepy and I don't think I would want to swim here in the summertime.

If you want to bring your own paddle board without having to spend money.. dont. Ive always seen…read morepeople with their own paddle boards/kayaks (i have asked) and i thought it was allowed. Some of my friends have even done it there as well. I went there for my first time paddleboarding and was kicked out because it was "prohibited" even tho people were walking past us with their own paddle boards. Just a money grab. I wont lie they have pretty views so if you just want to float or relax there with your kids it is a great place, but if your wanting to paddle board or kayak with your own stuff, they will kick you out.

Yellow Spotted millipede

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Sir Goony's Family Fun Center

3.9

(38 reviews)

10.4 mi

Our family frequently played mini-golf here in the 2000s, and I returned in 2026 to play another…read moreround. It's a fun set of courses with every option from challenging to easy. They also have paintball, go-karts, a snack shack and more. This is easily your best option for playing miniature golf in the Knoxville area.

Review of Sir Goony's…read more Today was my first time visiting Sir Goony's. We've driven past it before, but never really knew what it was until we were invited to a little girl's birthday party there. At first, everything seemed fine. However, after speaking with the parent who rented the water park area, I learned they had reserved the space from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. While the kids were playing and enjoying the water slides and bounce houses, random families began entering the area and using the space. This felt extremely disrespectful, considering the family had paid to rent that area. Not only did they have to share the space they reserved, but it also created a significant safety concern--when strangers are mingling in a private party area, it becomes much harder to keep track of children and ensure everyone is safe. On top of that, the family had to provide most of the party essentials themselves. Sir Goony's brought out sodas but never came back to refill them or check that every child got pizza. I'm not sure I would recommend renting this venue for a private birthday party based on this experience. However, if you're just looking for a place to take the kids on a weekend outing, it seems like a fun option. There are water bounce houses to cool off, mini golf, and some arcade-style attractions.

Championship course..

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Chuckles Family Fun Center

4.4

(20 reviews)

43.7 mi

Host met us at the door. Park anywhere that was open. Family place for sure. The supreme pizza was…read moreExcellent. All fresh ingredients, and made to order. Would recommend here if you're in the area!!

Great variety of arcade games all in working order. Friendly staff ready to serve and accommodate!…read moreFun 18-hole mini golf with lovely plants and flowers along the way. We enjoyed the pizza. We'll plan to return on our next visit in town!

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Alvin K Bissell Park - parks - Updated July 2026

People who viewed Alvin K Bissell Park also viewed

Milt Dickens Park

We found this park when the bus forgot my kiddo and we had to drive him to school. We ended up…read morefeeling grateful because Glenwood Elementary is right down the street and this little gem of a park is perfect for cool Fall-ish days! When you pull up, the parking lot is set apart from both the playground and the adjacent soccer field. Note that it is not stroller or wheelchair-friendly, since there is no walkway and parking is up a somewhat steep hill. Re: the soccer field, not sure if it is typically open to the public, but we brought a ball and found an open gate and were able to run and play on the field with our kids. The playground is well-kept but definitely open to the elements, so it would be a scorcher on a warm day and in direct sunlight. I do wish that they had a covered area or even a small pavilion/area to sit and watch kids or have a lunch between play sessions. There are a few benches sprinkled throughout. There is one playset that is perfect for toddlers and another designated for ages 5-12. The two slides on this second set are very steep, so be prepared for your kids to go down like a speeding bullet. ;-) Overall, a great little park! I loved that there is something to entertain all three of our kids, regardless of age or ability/bravery.

Lakeshore Park

4.5

(38 reviews)

Lakeshore is a wonderful public park situated along the Tennessee River and offering some…read morespectacular views of the Smoky Mountains. I finally got a chance to come here with my neighbor and her toddler on a weekday and I was surprised how many kids were at the playground. However, we never felt crowded here and there are several playgrounds in the park, with one being in a slightly wooded section. Besides children's playgrounds, the park offers extensive greenways, sports facilities, and even, event spaces. Sports facilities include: baseball/softball fields, soccer field and an outdoor fitness center. On my next visit, I'm going to explore even more of the greenways and try to find the steel sculpture in the park called the "Quantum Embrace." Know before you go: 1) Lakeshore is open daily: 6 am - 10 pm 2) Plenty of parking spaces 3) There are public restrooms onsite 4) Events at the park hosted by the Roots & Revelry Group. Some events coming up are Paint & Sip (April 28th) and Mahjong in Garden (May 12th)

Gorgeous park! They have all kinds of sports courts including pickleball. Perfect place to take a…read morewalk, work out, or just chill by the lake.

Sharps Ridge Memorial Park Trail

Sharp's Ridge Memorial Park Trails are located in the heart of north Knoxville and run along Sharps…read moreRidge Memorial Park Drive. Just a hop, a skip and a jump from the Broadway exit off I-40 is the road that leads you up Sharp's Ridge. Beneath the radio/television towers located on the ridge are 4.7 miles of trails, a picnic area and breath taking views of the Knoxville skyline. The trails are nicely maintained and good for beginners. I highly recommend checking out this local treasure one any warm sunny day.

Morningside Park

(5 reviews)

Morningside Park is pretty spread out in the area. There seems to be two parts of the park, which…read morecan be rather confusing for a tourist trying to find the Alex Healy statue. After driving around, we came across the playground area that also displayed Alex Healy's statue. He is the author of "Roots." It's a lovely statue of him and it's really big! There is no graffiti or damages to his statue, which is always a good thing! There is a lovely playground next to it and it has lots of things for kids to do! There are swings and slides and monkey bars for them to use. There isn't any shade in that area, which is a bummer so make sure you keep cool with an umbrella, sunglasses, and water! There is parking on the street above on Dandridge St.

Saturday July 12, 2014...I took a One Day road trip from Nashville with my hubby Tony and daughter…read moreNoel and we opted to head towards KNOXVILLE..our goal is too see as much of the city as possible on our ONE DAY mini vacation ...on a budget...My goal was a family of 3 to have fun on $150 or less...so the drive from Nashville took us 3 hrs one way.. We located Morningside Park quite easily off Dandridge Ave..I just plugged the directions in to my Google Maps app on my android and Gertrude (the name of my phone) guided us there quickly from our luncheon off Central Ave. We went strictly to see the Alex Haley statue located there in the Haley Heritage Square. This park is large and the entire area is FREE. We found parking easily and entered into the area of the park where the Statue is located. It is very nice but remember on a HOT SUNNY day, like today..Don't touch the statue YOU WILL GET BURNED...just a little FYI in case you wanted to climb on it for a photo or put a small child near it for a photo opportunity..just be careful it will BURN YOU or THEM... I was surprised to learn that my 18 yr old daughter has NEVER SEEN the ROOTS SAGA...I am a bad mommy..I have to make sure she sees it and soon!!! IT is a terrific Story of a True family that needs to be heard.. If you are in the area visiting Knoxville, put this Wonderful FREE site on your MUST DO LIST...and enjoy...the park is nice and set up for picnicking if you choose..

Carl Cowan Park

4.8

(11 reviews)

Very large park with multiple places to swim. Clean with many walking trails, a splash park, a…read moredock, and picnic tables.

Fort Dickerson Park

4.4

(24 reviews)

Nice place for a walk. It is free, peaceful, and maintained…read more I took a walking path not knowing where it would let out. Nice hike, but hard to find by car.

The road getting up here is kind of jacked up and narrow by housing. I saw this place on facebook…read morelast year but didn't get to check the out last summer. They have bathrooms but were all closed up where I went. I asked a local business if they are just open during summer and they said it actually just re-opened last summer. I asked if the rumor of dead bodies was true and they said that yes there were lots of dead bodies found here from jumping off the rocks or getting stuck in the rocks deep down below. But anyways, on the opposite side of the story.. there are plenty of floating docks for people to chill on during summer. Just sitting there listening to the bird was very peaceful.. gorgeous view.

Fountain City Park

There are a lot of fun things to play on at this park. They still have two slides from when I was a…read morekid there. It's a nice place. The duck pond is nice too, but regularly they drain it to clean it. One other mild complaint would be there should be a fence near the road. Very nice place overall.

Third Creek Greenway

3.8

(4 reviews)

I'm crushing on this greenway. I find myself visiting again and again. When I'm not on the trail…read moreall I can do is think about when I can come back. Awww... But seriously. I think it's quite possibly the best in Knoxville. First of all, It's looooooong. This trail earns some stripes for being more than a little tikes loop. You pass through so many great neighborhoods. Its scenic. You see bridges, benches, blooms, brooks, and..what..they got bamboo over here? So many people hop on this trail. It's a great way to meet your fellow runner, biker, jogger, trail lover, neighbor. The only thing I will say is..they could do some more clean up with the unsightly brush. It's odd because there are parts of the trail that are meticulously maintained and then other parts are a hot mess. The overgrown bushes, the piles of cinder, the slush of sticks and leaves is way too reckless on trail as popular as this.

This was my fetish during the summer. When I discovered this I wanted to be on it every day and I…read moredid. I spent every morning starting at the beginning of the trail on neyland near the new condos and got my cardio in until the end of this greenway. It was an amazing 13 miles. You can only imagine how happy I was to be able to pig out that summer and gain nothing. My formula for the summer was the more cardio = the more food.

Clayton Park

It was a very beautiful day at this particular park. I've only been a couple times prior to this…read moreday. Everything was fine and except the padding at the park has seen better days. The dog park area, the walking path and the pavilion are in very nice shape. Overall I would give the park a 9/10.

Frozen Head State Park