This place is a hidden gem. I highly recommend stopping by at the very least to do the Lily Bluff…read moreOverlook. It's not strenous and the rewards of the views after a short walk are well worth it. I visited when it was raining and so it wasn't the best view, but it was still gorgeous. I also went on the Obed River Point Trail (3.6-mile out-and-back). You have to cross some streams using rocks, and there's also a wood bridge. The trail has a hidden arch rock to your right as you approach the end of the trail, but it's small and there's a reason why they don't mark it as it's not dramatic haha. Towards the end of the trail there's a lot of small social off shoot trails, but the main trail is wider than the others. Near the end of the trail there's a marker and then an end point marker. Neat trail!

An absolutely stunning nature space with a great many wild features to look forward to. They have…read moretrails and adventures for everyone so that everyone is able to enjoy the splendor that is Obed. Lily Bluff Overlook itself has multiple access trails. For those needing a mostly flat path with maintained gravel surface, try the upper parking lot trailhead. It is easily recognized by the huge Obed sign at the parking lot entrance. For a more uphill and challenging experience, take one of the trailheads from either of the bridge parking areas below the bluff. Pictures: 1) Lily Bluff Overlook platform -- an extensive platform to make access safe and manageable for everyone while also protecting the natural elements of the bluff. 2) The view from Lily Bluff Overlook 3) The hike up -- this picture shows the start of the trail up to Lily Bluff from the bridge parking area. The hike is all uphill with stone and wooden stairs, and roots. It is a beautiful, fun, and enjoyable hike.

Quick excursion but still worth the stop! Short trek down a fairly easy path to a beautiful…read morewaterfall.

This is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy nature. One of Southeast Tennessee's hidden gems. The…read moreHike to the bottom is very strenuous, lots of slick rocks and steep inclines over rocks. All the work is well worth the hazards.

Exhilarating for newbies like me! We hiked the way up in pitch black with headlamps and the way…read moreback in the morning sun. Be ready to get scratched up by blackberry thorns and have a few falls. Still have bruises. So worth it if you love feeling like you're actually climbing and not just walking pavement.

The Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park is the newest Tennessee state park. It is a…read morestraight line from the top border to the bottom, and cuts through 11 counties and two time zones. It encompasses 31,000 acres of land, and 200 miles of hiking at this time. But there are currently another 300 miles of hiking trails planned and in progress. Because of this, there are a lot of places you can fish, hunt, rock climb, or do back country camping. It's named after Justin P. Wilson, who was the deputy governor for a while. We hiked about two mile around the Tennessee Gorge area in Chattanooga that had some stunning overlooks.

It was a great beginner hike not too steep and plenty to see. If you get there early enough you'll…read morebe able to get to the end and back before the crowds.

Such a cool hidden gem about an hour drive from Knoxville. There is dirt parking for maybe 10 cars…read moreat the trailhead. Not many cars when I got there around noon but it was full when I got back on a Saturday around 3pm. Took my dog out for his 10th birthday and he had a blast. Loves outdoors and the water. You can take the full loop and see the smaller falls and the the bigger falls. Or you can see one, come back around and then see the other. The only reason you wouldn't do the full loop is because it does get a little steep and rocky and there is a cable to help get down. Don't let the cable steer you away. I had my dog with me and was a little nervous only using one hand and the other with the leash, but it was pretty simple to get down. Also recommend going right at the split so you can go DOWN the rocks instead of climb up the rocks at the point. Overall gorgeous views. Mostly shaded throughout the hike but be sure to bring water!

You can easily see why this is one of the most visited state parks!! It's huge, for one, with lots…read moreof hiking trails that highlight the key features of the park, think lots of waterfalls!! Most are visible from overlooks with short hikes, and for the more adventurous, there are treks to the bottom of the namesake falls, a cable trail (bring leather gloves, carabiner, possibly climbing gear) to Rockhouse Falls, or longer trails like the Paw Paw loop, Overlook trail, or even the Prater Place for a hidden Hemlock Falls. I also stayed in the lodge, which was fantastic! The rooms were well equipped, comfortable, and had great features like balconies. The view at the restaurant over the lake was beautiful, especially at sunset. The fisherman style cabins have decks literally on the water, so that looked like a must see at some point, too!! Couple of other hits: pet friendly rooms, pet friendly trails, golf course, cabins, fire pit and pool at lodge, Nature Center, and Visitor Center!

One of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen. If you're traveling between Kentucky and…read moreAtlanta, I highly recommend stopping by Fall Creek Falls State Park. A few tips I want to share: 1.There's no admission fee. You can enjoy this incredible view thoroughly for free. 2.The park is enormous. If you're using GPS, do not search "Fall Creek Falls State Park." Like me, you might end up in the middle of the park with no clear direction to the falls. Instead, search for "Base of Fall Creek Falls" to go directly to the waterfall area. It's also a great place to relax, with a resort-like atmosphere and a beautifully maintained golf course. If you need a refreshing break, definitely consider visiting this park.

My family goes to this great playground every week after exploring Haw Ridge. It is easy to miss…read morethe turn in, but it is directly past the TVA Fossil Plant with baseball fields at the corner. There is a Porto Potty and covered area with picnic tables. It is toddler-friendly with an area for the littles with baby swings, smaller slides (one is currently broken), and even sandboxes. Note that it isn't fenced and there is a large water retention area with a bridge kids seem to be curious about. I grew up in IL with a very similar wooden park, also named Kids Castle, so it is nostalgic to bring my own kiddos here. Something for every age, expansive, and rarely many people here. In fact, we are often the only people there!

Is there a way to rent out the pavilions for a birthday party here? Just trying to find a good…read moreplace , for a birthday party!

Cute little lake. Not too special it's not very clean. But there is a park where you can eat your…read morelunch

Nothing fancy.... Adequate camp sites, but tables and fire pits are on the wrong side of camper at…read moresome sites

Bring a friend/partner here, I wouldn't come alone. (the first time I moved here to knox they…read morewarned me something bad had happened to this female that was running alone). It's a very neat park, lots of routes to take, some parts are thick in the woods area and then some routes take you out by the city by cedar bluff area. I love how you can rent bikes at the parking lot area. If you want a good long run/bike I would recommend this park.

A good effort at making a viable greenway by the Knoxville City Government. At the western…read moreterminus, which is in a corner of the AMC Theater parking lot, one crosses a substantial bridge over Ten Mile Creek and then underneath 6 lanes of I-40/I-75 before entering Ten Mile Greenway Park. The first road crossing is at Bridgewater Rd. which happens to be at a three-way stop, so it's convenient for crossing. From there, the greenway is part of Walker Springs Park which takes you away from traffic noise. There is evidence, however, of encampments in the way of trash and discarded clothes and shelter - and shopping carts. The greenway goes under two more roads before joining with the Jean Teague Greenway (at Winston Road) which takes you through West Hills Park and terminates at West Hills Elementary school at Vanosdale Road. There is NO WAY TO GET DOWNTOWN without traveling surface roads for a few miles before you get to Third Creek Greenway.

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.

I happened to be in the area on vacation looking for a good place to hike. I definitely found what…read moreI came for. This place has it all. Paved roads, for those who want to take it more easy. Dirt roads. Some way off the beaten path, for those who wanna make it a little hard, climb up some rock stairs. It was really fun. It was quite an adventure. More than I have had in a nature center in a while. I stopped at the gift center, which was very quaint. I love the little stones they had. It was a bag of them for six dollars I believe. The quality of the tumbled stones seemed very nice as well for such a price. I would definitely go back to this area and visit once more if I happen to be here on vacation!

Ijams Nature Center is decent. There is a $5 parking fee. They allow leashed pets on the property…read morehowever they are not allowed in the nature center. There are trails to walk. They were okay. I got bored with them and didn't stay long. They do have a a high ropes course that looked neat if you are into that. I would have been okay to pay the parking fee if I would have stayed there longer.