Outdoor KnoxFest, presented by Humana, is Knoxville’s Outdoor Adventure Festival, showcasing our incredible natural and recreational assets. If you’re looking for an outdoor challenge, or just want to try a new activity, you will want to join us on April 24-26. Here is a schedule of all the events, for the experienced, or new, adventurer.
Exhibits and food available in the Outdoor Adventure Center upper parking lot on Hill Avenue from 10-4. For all activities, please wear appropriate clothing and shoes, bring needed gear, water, snacks, etc.
Directions to each of the locations are listed at the end of the event description.
Skill levels: Open to all abilities
Friday, April 24
5:30 p.m. Bike Scavenger Hunt and Volunteer Party
Free event at the Public House
Saturday, April 25
9:00 a.m. Diva Mountain Bike Ride meets at Mead’s Quarry Trailhead
Enjoy the trails of the Urban Wilderness on this women’s only ride led by Tennessee Valley Bikes. Participants will be divided into three different skill levels. Riders need to wear a helmet, have water and eye protection. Ride will be approximately 1-2 hours depending on group. Meet at the Mead’s Quarry parking lot. Ride is sponsored by Tennessee Valley Bicycles and Keen. If you need a bicycle, Tennessee Valley Bikes will provide bikes/helmets on a first come/first served basis — please arrive one hour prior to event. Ride will be 1-1/2 – 2 hours, approximately 3 miles, depending on skill. Free Directions to Mead’s Quarry
9:00 a.m. Hike with Your Hound meets at Anderson School Trailhead
Explore the trails with PetSafe and Missy Kane on a hike with your best friend! The trails are pet-friendly, however pets must be on a leash. Approximately 3 miles. Free Directions to Anderson School
10:00 a.m. History Hike at Fort Dickerson Park
Discover one of the best-preserved earthen forts from the Civil War era that rests on a knob just across the river from downtown! The exploration at Fort Dickerson Park will be led by Debbie Sharp from TREK South and Civil War historian, Dr. Joan Markel, will share historical facts and features of the earthen forts within the park. Meet at the lower parking lot for the Fort Dickerson Park Greenway, the Augusta Avenue entrance. Hike will last approximately 2 hours (2 miles). Free Directions to Fort Dickerson
10:00 a.m. GOPRO Clinic at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Looking to get a GoPro, or you have one and would like some insight into best practices for capturing your life’s most exciting moments? Join REI’s GoPro experts for this class and Get to Know Your GoPro. Focus will be on the camera’s user interface, video capture, image settings, and accessories. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
11:00 to 2:00 p.m. Open Paddle at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Join us for the opportunity to try out a variety of watercraft on the river. You will be able to choose from paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and hydro bikes provided by Billy Lush Board Shop, UT Outdoor Program, Norris Paddling Adventures, and the City of Knoxville Parks & Recreation. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
11:00 a.m. Bike Maintenance Clinic at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
The experts at Tennessee Valley Bikes will demonstrate maintenance skills and tips for keeping your bikes in good working condition on the road or trail. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
11:00 a.m. Get Fit Patio Class – Neighborhood Barre
Join Katy Branstetter with Neighborhood Barre for a unique workout that combines dance conditioning, pilates, and isometrics to create a long, lean physique. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
11:00 a.m. Intro to Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at the Wood Property in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
New to mountain biking? Come learn safety, etiquette, and skills for mountain biking with Knox County Parks & Recreation and the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Free Directions to the Wood Property
11:00 a.m. Boulder Scramble Hike meets at Mead’s Quarry Trailhead
Scramble over the boulder fields and through the keyhole at Ross Marble Quarry, as you make your way to the old lime pit. Route will explore new trails with exceptional overviews. Discover the amazing diversity of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness with Sarah Brobst, naturalist with Ijams Nature Center. Be prepared to get dirty! Scramble will last approximately 2-2.5 hours. Not suitable for young children. Free Directions to Ijams
12:00 p.m. First Ride in the Woods meets at the Wood Property in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
Beginner riders will follow experienced members of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and Tennessee Valley Bikes to learn important bike handling skills for navigating the trails in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Riders need to wear a helmet, have water and eye protection. Riders will be out for approximately 1.5 hours. If you need a bicycle, Tennessee Valley Bikes will provide bikes/helmets on a first come/first served basis — please arrive one hour prior to event. Approximately 2 miles. Free Directions to the Wood Property
12:00 p.m. Fly Fishing Clinic at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Tackle a few of the basic fly fishing skills as the experts at 3 Rivers Angler share their techniques on casting fundamentals and choosing the right gear. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
12:00 p.m. Get Fit Patio Class – Yoga with Shekita Arnold
Yoga on the patio with Shekita Arnold. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
1:00 p.m. Wildflower Hike meets at Burnett Creek Parking Area
Spring in East Tennessee is vibrant with color! Join our local wildflower experts on an easy hike, where they’ll highlight the wildflowers of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Approximately 2-3 miles. Free Directions to Burnett Creek
1:00 p.m. GOPRO Clinic at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Looking to get a GoPro, or you have one and would like some insight into best practices for capturing your life’s most exciting moments? Join REI’s GoPro experts for this class and Get to Know Your GoPro. Focus will be on the camera’s user interface, video capture, image settings, and accessories. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
1:00 p.m. Get Fit Patio Class – Beginning Runners Readiness
Beginning runners will learn the correct way to prepare for a run/walk from the Foothill Striders and then join the group on a one-mile walk or run on the Neyland Greenway. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
2:00 p.m. South Loop Group Ride meets at Meads Quarry Trailhead
Experience the trails within the Urban Wilderness on a group mountain bike ride with leaders from the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Riders will break into groups according to fitness and skills levels. Riders need to wear a helmet, have water and eye protection. Approximately 12 miles. Free Directions to Mead’s Quarry
2:00 p.m. Fly Fishing for Women at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Are you interested in trying fly-fishing? This women’s only clinic is your opportunity to tackle a few of the basic fly fishing skills as the experts at 3 Rivers Angler share their techniques on casting fundamentals and choosing the right gear. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
2:30 p.m. SweetWater Clean Sweep River Clean-up at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Grab your paddleboard, kayak, canoe, inner tube, or rain boots and help clean up Volunteer Landing with SweetWater Brewing Company. Participants will be eligible for great prizes, including a SweetWater Paddleboard. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
3:00 p.m. Southbound Bikes & Blooms Scenic Bike Ride leaves from the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Dogwood Arts Festival’s popular neighborhood bike ride for the whole family rides from the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center to the colorful gardens that frame Island Home Boulevard. The Smoky Mountain Wheelmen will lead this scenic 8-mile ride. Riders must wear helmets. Young riders must be skilled at on-road riding, suggested age 8 and up. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
3:00 p.m. Sailboat Cruising: Knoxville to Trinidad
Have you thought about cruising the deep blue sea? Come hear members of the Concord Yacht Club tell of their experience on a sailboat from Knoxville to Trinidad. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
3:00 p.m. A Walk in the Woods meets at Ijams Nature Center
Explore the unusual natural and man-made structures at Mead’s and Ross Marble Quarry at Ijams Nature Center, the heart of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Stephen Lyn Bales, a naturalist with Ijams Nature Center, will lead the 2-hour hike. Approximately 3 miles. Free Directions to Ijams
4:30 p.m. SweetWater Clean Sweep Party at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
All Outdoor KnoxFest and SweetWater Clean Sweep participants and volunteers are invited to join in the after party with SweetWater and Aubrey’s. SweetWater Clean Sweep prizes will be awarded. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
Sunday, April 26
9:00 a.m. Trail Run starts at Mead’s Quarry Trailhead
Knoxville Track Club’s annual trail run through Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness benefits Legacy Parks. Approximately 3.5-4 miles. Pre-register by Friday, April 17 for $25; day-of registration is $30. Register online at Active.com Directions to Mead’s Quarry
10:00 a.m. Hike with Your Hound meets at Anderson School Trailhead
Explore the trails with PetSafe on a hike with your best friend! The trails are pet-friendly, however pets must be on a leash. Approximately 3 miles. Free Directions to Anderson School
11:00 a.m. Mountain Bike Checkpoint Race meets at Mead’s Quarry Trailhead
Teams of two will race between checkpoints on South Knoxville’s trails, roads and greenways. There is no set route and the checkpoints will remain secret until the start of the event. Teams going for all check points should prepare for around 40 miles. Riders need to carry their own gear, food and water, as there are no sag vehicles or rest stops. Participants are required to burn a taillight when on roads. Be prepared for any circumstances you may encounter including, but not limited to: medical emergencies, navigational errors, inoperable equipment, wild animals, and stinging/poisonous insects and plants. Most of all have fun. Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Bikes and the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Tennessee Valley Bikes will be providing maps and prizes! All ages and skills are welcome. Teams must have a reliable digital camera so they can document the checkpoints! Benefits the Legacy Parks Foundation. Pre-register by Friday, April 17 for $40 per team; day-of registration is $50 per team. Register online at Active.com Directions to Mead’s Quarry
1:00 p.m. First Hike in the Woods meets at Mead’s Quarry Trailhead
Let our hiking experts from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports share valuable tips and ideas for successful hiking treks. Approximately 2 miles. Free Directions to Mead’s Quarry
2:00 p.m. Wildflower Hike meets at Burnett Creek Parking Area
Spring in East Tennessee is vibrant with color! Join our local wildflower experts on an easy hike, where they’ll highlight the wildflowers of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Approximately 2-3 miles.Free Directions to Burnett Creek
2:00 p.m. Tour de Knox meets at Neyland Stadium Plaza
UT students present a family friendly bike event to promote transportation and safety in downtown and on the UT campus. Adults are $15, Students are $10 and children 12 and under are free. Register online at http://www.tourdeknox.com
3:00 p.m. Northbound Bikes & Blooms Scenic Bike Ride leaves from the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center
Dogwood Arts Festival’s popular neighborhood bike ride for the whole family enjoys the colorful displays of our native dogwood trees that fringe our boulevards and gardens along the Dogwood Arts Trails. Leaving the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, riders will ride through downtown and loop through historic neighborhoods in North Knoxville. This scenic 8-mile ride will be led by Smoky Mountain Wheelmen and Dogwood Arts Festival. Riders must wear helmets. Young riders must be skilled at on-road riding, suggested age is 8 and up. Free Directions to Outdoor Adventure Center
