Hiking Knoxville

After moving their young family to Knoxville in 2018, Katie and Joshua Rosenberg found themselves drawn to the Scruffy City’s unique natural areas. Seven Islands State Birding Park was close to their new home. Ijams Nature Center introduced them to the city’s Urban Wilderness. A camping trip at Frozen Head revealed the wonders of nearby state parks. And of course, the family quickly fell in love with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With each outing, hiking helped the Rosenbergs connect more deeply with their new home—and with one another.

As they crossed local adventures off their list, their friends started asking questions: Where should we hike with our kids? What supplies do we need to hike as a family? In Hiking Knoxville: Family Friendly Adventures from the City to the Smokies, the Rosenbergs answer these questions and more. They highlight thirty trails with an eye toward those that are scenic and exciting while balancing driving distance, crowds, and kid-friendly characteristics. Ultimately, they show how easy it can be to turn Knoxville’s remarkable natural areas into family adventures.