Ijams Nature Center is decent. There is a $5 parking fee. They allow leashed pets on the property however 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. read more

I happened to be in the area on vacation looking for a good place to hike. I definitely found what I 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! read more

Ijams Nature Center - Tree house - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Only $5 donation to park and $1 for a map. Well preserved nature experience. Prepare for a bit of a hike to get to some of the sights, little more than just a nature walk. We highly enjoyed it! read more

We were passing through Knoxville and were looking for a place to exercise and give our dog a good hike we came across this place!! Amazing!! The trails are well kept and the one we took was a loop trail so we found our way back to the nature center very easily, but there were maps along the way and a map at the beginning you can take a photo of. I wouldn't miss this place. It's super nice. read more

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Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the city's most incredible hidden gems and a must-visit for anyone who loves the outdoors. Just three miles from downtown, this 318-acre urban wilderness feels like a complete escape into nature without ever leaving the city. Originally founded in 1910 by Harry and Alice Ijams as a bird sanctuary and garden, the center has grown into Knoxville's ultimate outdoor adventure hub. With over 14 miles of scenic trails, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, or peaceful nature walks surrounded by forest, cliffs, and wildflowers. If you're looking for water activities, you can kayak or paddle at Mead's Quarry Lake or the Tennessee River. For thrill-seekers, Ijams Crag is Knoxville's only outdoor rock-climbing spot, while the Primal Playground blends exercise with natural elements like logs, ropes, and climbing features. What makes Ijams even more special is its history. The center restored the Mead's and Ross Marble Quarries, once heavily industrial sites, and turned them into thriving natural areas full of beauty and wildlife. Affordable, family-friendly, and open year-round, Ijams offers something for everyone. It's free to enter (small parking fee applies), and it's hands-down one of the best things to do in Knoxville. https://linktr.ee/reessroots read more

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The staff is always so nice here! The showed us their local turtles and explained their life cycle. The river trail is amazing with lots of board walks and meads quarry is always fun to swim at! Parking can be tough on weekends, there is usually a $1-5.00 charge for parking but it goes to the nature center so its worth it!! We love this place (: read more

Ijams Nature Center - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Love the Ijams Nature Trail. There is plenty of trail to choose from. I would suggest don't miss the river trail. This is most popular trail with beautiful views. This trail has nature cave, river walk, elevated boardwalks on the cliff and nature trail. It is beautiful. The compound is very big. It contains garden, bird nest trail, rope challenge course, species display. It is plenty to do. Great for kid and all ages. You can always find a thing to do. They also have bike trails and annex quarry with beautiful lake and rock formations. Canoe launch also available at the river. Most of all it is free accept the rope courses. The visit may take entire day. It is depending what you chose. read more

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Haiku: Ijams Nature Center Cool nature center A hidden gem in Knoxville Lots of hiking trails. --- If you're looking for free things to do, there are several hiking trails in this urban green space. We did the super short River Boardwalk hike. It's a popular, barely-mile trail with shoreline birds and lovely Tennessee River views. If you're feeling adventurous, Navitat, a ziplining place within Ijams Nature Center, got great reviews on Yelp and worth a try. There's also a nice Visitor Center with a cool gift shop, hallway gallery, and exhibit hall. The Gift Shop has the cutest stuffed animals, garden decor, jewelry, and hand crafted items. The Hallway Gallery highlights local artists' work, from paintings and photography to textiles and mixed media sculptures. The Exhibit Hall is home to a number of non-releasable animal ambassadors who help Ijams educate people about nature. You can also meet a couple of their Animal Ambassadors (red-tail hawk & turkey vulture) outside near the parking lot. We packed a little picnic at their outside tables near the parking lot. The kids had a great time hiking, enjoying nature, and the sights of Ijams Nature Center. read more

Ijams Nature Center - View from one of the hiking trails - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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We were visiting the Great Smoky Mountains and decided to check out some of the outdoorsy offerings of urban Knoxville. We started at the Ijams Nature Center, which is "a 315-acre member- and visitor-supported nonprofit organization, where people of all ages can hike, bike, paddle, climb, learn, ...". Admission is free, as is plentiful parking, but donations are welcomed at Ijams.org. We started in the Visitors Center, which also has a cute and reasonably-priced gift shop. We asked at the desk for their recommendations for a hike or two. We were advised that newcomers often enjoy a loop trail created by combining the North Cove trail (0.2 miles, rated moderate), with the River (boardwalk) trail (0.7 miles, easy), and the Tower trail (0.3 miles, moderate with a set of fairly steep stone steps). When we came outside, a friendly volunteer directed us to the trailhead. This loop is pedestrian-only, and is unpaved; it is not stroller- or wheelchair-accessible. We'd recommend wearing shoes with good traction and carrying a hiking stick, but neither is absolutely necessary. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk, stopping to eat our packed lunch at one of the benches on the boardwalk overlooking the Tennessee River -- watching the fish below us. At one point, we thought that we saw an alligator but, alas, it was only a dead tree branch. LOL. Be careful of where you put your hands as there is poison ivy on many of the exposed rocks. There was a steady stream of other walkers so you needed worry about it being "isolated". After our walk, we drove over to check out Mead's Quarry Lake. Our original intention was to walk the 1.0 mile trail around the lake (Tharp Trace, rated difficult), but decided that it was a bit too warm to continue hiking at mid-day in late September. We noticed on the map that there's a beer garden there, but we didn't check it out. Overall, I wish we had more time to explore Ijams offerings, including their calendar of educational programs. If we lived closer, we would definitely be regulars here. read more

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We booked IJAMS for our family reunion event, and it was amazing! All of our guests raved about how beautiful the venue was. Katie, the event coordinator, was amazing and so helpful. The whole process of booking the venue, day-of set up, and coordinating with us was super easy. Compared to other event venues, IJAMS was a GREAT deal cost-wise, and the venue rental came with tables/chairs, AV system, and they took care of garbage/recycling at the end of the night. We could not recommend IJAMS more for an event venue, and as Knoxville locals, we would recommend all of the other parts of the nature center (trails, paddling, nature interpretation events) as well! :) read more

I saw this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. The place is amazingly beautiful. There is a fantastic, well maintained trail system. You could easily do two days here covering different trails. The staff was exceptionally helpful. We had two hours to hike and the guide planned our time perfectly to maximize what we were able to see. The nature center is free. Parking is $5. It doesn't get better than that. I would highly recommend this place for anyone interested in a beautiful hike. read more

Wow- this place was popular even on a weekday afternoon in the middle of March! I parked at the visitor center and took the tower trail down to the boardwalk. What a fun little hike! The trail I had planned on taking was closed due to a mudslide, but Ijams had signage for alternate route with similar views and boardwalk access. This hike (a little over 2 miles I think) was perfect for my dog and I to stretch our legs and see a little bit of Knoxville while we were passing through. The view on the water was so peaceful and beautiful! The rock steps would be a challenge for someone with limited mobility. If you have someone older or just with bad knees you may want to explore all your ways to get to the boardwalk in case there is a way that avoids the rock section. I would have loved to explore another trail or even just more around the visitor center. They had a few rehab birds and other learning opportunities. My one complaint is I couldn't find any bathrooms that weren't inside the visitor center. Road trip bladder could have used the stop, but dogs aren't allowed in the visitor center and I couldn't just leave him in the car for obvious reasons. Even a porta potty or two would have been great. Maybe they have one somewhere else and I just missed it. If I lived here I'd be back all the time. It'll stay on my list to explore again next time I'm in the area! read more

Ijams Nature Center - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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The staff I encountered at the front desk at Ijams nature center are very rude. Please teach them some manners and how to answer visitor questions because all I got was rude answers. All I was trying to do was renew my parking. And now not sure I even want to go back. read more

If you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Knoxville, then look no further. Ijams is an urbane wilderness oasis filled with 10 miles of hiking trails, biking and canoeing. The grounds are open from 8am until dusk year round, and the best part is that admission is free. Navitat, a treetop zipline adventure is inside of Ijams. Admission to Navitat starts from $52 per child or adult. We have not checked out Navitat yet, but want to on one of our next visits. Our favorite hike at Ijams is the river walk. It is an intermediate hike, and the views alongside the river are just stunning. We can't wait for it in the fall with the changing of the leaves. Ijams also does really cool special events including a hummingbird festival (this past weekend), movies under the stars, forest bathing workshops, and yoga classes. They have all the rundown of events on their website. And don't forget to check out their super cute gift shop before heading home. I've purchased my favorite wind-chimes here and there are plenty of unique gift ideas for that special someone in your life. read more

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One my favorite areas to go for a hike. There are so many things to do around here especially in the warmer weather days. In spring and summer over at Meads Quarry they rent out paddle boards, and kayaks by the hour, super fun when it's warm out. They have an assortment of trails you can easily spend hours on, and the trails are dog friendly!! So bring your furry friends along and enjoy your time out in the middle of pure peace and quiet!! See you there! Cheers & Enjoy! read more

This is a beautiful spot. Love the river walk! The best part for me was seeing all the families out walking and discussing nature. These kids are our future so learning about our environment now will create future nature lovers that want to protect what we have. Great place! Didn't get to swim in the quarry but kids were in there splashing around. The joy! read more

A little confusing to find the "Playscape", especially if you're not from or familiar with this area. After doing some research, we decided our best bet was to find the playscape park via "Mead Quarry". Passed the entrance. Turned around, way in the back of the mead quarry (by the rental station) on the opposite side of the street we found the entrance to the playscape. I was expecting much of a park type play area- with a bunch of structures in a certain area. The area is more like walking through the woods on a nature trail and then you stop at various stops. IE: the big nest in one area.. walk a bit.. then a little sandbox.. walk a bit... then the mud area. Pretty neat concept, but our two year old isn't big on just walking forever so we were a little disappointed (but that was only due to our expectations) May be best for 5+ or littles that don't mind walking a lot. I also felt like we walked in a huge circle and didn't see a lot of the play areas you see online. So I'm still confused as to whether there was another area or where to go. I need to go with a veteran of the area to show me the ropes. Best parking, ins and outs for all the trails and things to do, etc. read more

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Great spot to take pictures. I enjoyed my time here a lot with my photography club from UT read more

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It was a beautiful Fall day here in Knoxville! The leaves are changing colors, the air was crisp! One of my favorite times of the year. There were many people out enjoying the nice weather. My son really enjoyed crunching the leaves on the ground. It was funny to see him marching on the leaves smiling at the sounds of each crunch. We looked for a playground area, but I don't think they have one. There is a play area near the visitor center with a cute little cabin for the kiddos. Walking out of the clubhouse make sure you duck and duck again walking off the porch so you don't bump your head!! We like to come here when we want more of a scenery while we get a little exercise. My favorite part of this trail is walking down by the river. It's beautiful, peaceful, and serene. read more

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Just a very beautiful place to visit. I enjoy going to the quarry that's just past the Ijams main entrance... read more

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Went for the sunflowers and they didn't disappoint. What a great place to take a walk. It is dog friendly, just remember to bring some bags along and keep them leashed. Bonus when you run into family and friends on the hike through Knoxville's best place to see massive amounts of sunflowers. Beware, stay on the beaten path, one of our party decided to enter the field and got eaten up by the fire ants. Go early, the parking is extremely limited. After posting this review I was corrected that this is actually at the Forks of the River. So if going follow the directions for that. But it isn't much past Ijams, both are a good way to spend a morning! read more

Ijams Nature Center - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Very nice nature reserve with lots of hiking trails. Most trails go through the woods and loop around a nearby lake/river. While this area attracts a lot of people due to its proximity to Knoxville, it still is a great place to get outdoors. Aside from hiking, they also have bicycle rentals, a ropes course (with zip lining), and eco-friendly activities for kids. Ijams has an air conditioned building with native wildlife, a gift shop, bathrooms, and bicycle rentals. It's a great place for kids and allows you to get oriented with the trails. Overall: Highly recommended. This may not be the Smokies. But, it's a great way to get outdoors for a short hike or activity. read more

Ijams Nature Center - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

From the moment I arrived in Knoxville, Ijams Nature was on my must-see list. The park did not disappoint. On our way out, we met a very nice man who needed a ride to a bus stop. Chatting with him about Ijams was he perfect way to wrap up this beautiful day of wonder and wandering. read more

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Went for the first time with my sister who was visiting from out of town. I asked up to a booth that said "ask us for suggestions" concerning trails and such. So... we did. Lady was put off by us asking for suggestions... which the was awkward. She grew more and more frustrated as we discussed the open map she had on her table. Maybe she was having a bad day on July 14 approximately 2pm, but she certainly convinced us to leave early. We didn't know our way around, we didn't get to see much, and my sister left Tennessee believing southern hospitality is a potential myth. So here's to my first negative review in... 7 years? read more

Came here to do a walk, went down to the river and also over to the stone quarries. Not too interesting, lots of dead trees, fallen leaves, and mud. River view was nice but blocked by trees a lot, down by it was better. Didn't see many people on a weekday early afternoon. read more

Parking: In front of the Visitor Center, ample and plenty Trails: Many to choose from Nearby: Swimming at Mead's Quarry Wow. I loved visiting Ijams Nature Center. We started in the visitor center with some ice pops since it was so hot. It was a great decision. We took our pops and went on our way to see the river boardwalk. The lady gave us the directions/trail to follow when we bought our pops and it was really helpful. The trail goes through the woods and then you are along the water and walking on the beautiful boardwalk. You can see ppl engaging in kayaking, paddle boarding, etc. After the trail we continued to the Quarry and loved the swimming opportunity. The lake was full of tubers, paddlers, jumpers, everything. It was like a summer scene from the movies. If you're in Knoxville and an outdoors person, don't miss Ijams. It has something for everyone. read more

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. read more

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We randomly found this place via Yelp. The park is beautiful, however, the workers are less than helpful with directions. If you have some time, and can handle the hills, it's worth the hike to get to the water. read more

What a lovely afternoon we had exploring some of the many trails at Ijams. We stopped in the nature center and a very informative guide helped map out a hike for us to give us an overview of the park. The nature center has bathrooms and items you may have forgotten on your visit as well as souvenirs. We did a hike along the river on a boardwalk, then backtracked to a quarry where SUP's and kayaks are available to rent. If you're so inclined bring your suit to enjoy a swim in the quarry. From there we walked a heavily wooded loop trail to see abandoned massive quarried rocks piled high and covered in moss. We slowly made our way back to the nature center. There's so much you can explore and we felt this gave us a good overview of what's offered here. read more

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My family and I love coming here and enjoy walking and looking at Gods beautiful creations!

A nice spot to do a quick hike. It does need some TLC but can be really great someday.

Just needed to get some morning cardio in and get away from the world. Trails have lots of shade, so don't throw any! Stay safe out there! read more

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We came here after a recommendation from a blogger and it was a great activity after a long drive from Florida. I will say the trails are a bit confusing and we were sure where to start, but it's a few miles in a circle total. Nice views and ample parking. read more

Ijams Nature Center - Deck views during the hike - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Saturday, July 12, Tony, Noel and I was in Knoxville enjoying the town..This was our first trip to Knoxville and I wanted to see as much as possible. I didn't realize how large this park really was. This park is something you want to hit early in the morning or afternoon before it gets too hot. There are tons of trails to enjoy. In the Visitors center there is a learning area, with some turtles, spiders and snakes. The park itself is free..but to get a map of the trails and sites you have to pay a $1 but hey the park is awesome so the map is worth it. There is also a Quarry to swim in...which is free also. I enjoy this lovely park and I want to go here again. I want to take some of the trails. It is really nice location!!! read more

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I love it here! I first discovered it when I wanted to show my friend from Texas around Knox. The welcome center is neat, has animal exhibits and a gift shop and bathrooms and brochures about what activities you can do at the park. Great hiking area! I love going to the quarry. Great to bring a group of friends. read more

Amazing place go take your pictures family pets bikes . The trails are amazing as well

Other than the mosquitoes and the landslide that blocks one part of the board walk, this place is amaaaazing. My dogs had a great time trekking through these woods and taking pictures. I love that it's so quiet in there. My husband is a sound engineer so he records sounds with his field recorder. He needs it to be quiet. This place is perfect! The fishes are HUGE. read more

Ijams Nature Center - Parks Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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I was thoroughly surprised to find this gem in Knoxville. The team members are extremely caring and attentive as they tended to my son's skinned knee. I am very grateful for their loving approach to their facility and patrons. Bravo Ijams Nature Center! read more

Very family oriented educational and recreational Pet friendly Quiet time for reading or hiking read more

We got kicked out for having a cooler lol what a joke .... Been going here for years not anymore