Before Word Gets Out, Visit Tennessee's Newest Additions To This Urban Park
By Chris Dodge|Published September 08, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
I personally love the great outdoors and will use any excuse I can to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. So when I see places like Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, it just warms my heart. This 600-acre wilderness area is located right outside of downtown Knoxville and offers a wide variety of outdoor adventures for just about everyone. There have recently been a couple of new trails added, and bigger improvements are on the way.
Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is home to a plethora of outdoor activities that include hiking, walking, swimming, paddling, and so much more. One popular activity is mountain biking. Riders can take to the pump track and zoom around with their friends or hit the woods with a variety of trails that range in difficulty.
In 2022, a new 27-acre expansion was added, giving riders a few more connector trails to enjoy while mountain biking. This new addition is only a taste of things to come; with new construction underway, Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is about to get some exciting new ways to play and -- yes -- even stay!
This new campground will aptly be named The Drop Inn. Once open, this campground promises to immerse nature enthusiasts into a woodland wonderland filled with walking paths and bike trails. Alongside typical tent sites, there will be raised platforms for tents, van camping spots, and even a couple of yurts. This is an exciting new way to adventure in this beautiful wilderness area.
As previously mentioned, this vast forest houses some pretty impressive options when it comes to appreciating nature. There are several swimming areas to cool off on a warm summer day. I know how much we all love swimming holes here in Tennessee, and one popular quarry has undergone an update with even more to come.
In 2024 there will be new restrooms, changing rooms, an expanded overlook, floating beach, swimming platforms, and more accessible walkways. This urban wilderness area has been seeing more and more visitors, and these improvements are sure to bring in even more guests.
So whether you like to climb, hike, bike, or swim, there is plenty to see and do Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Take full advantage of over 60 miles of trails that are filled with points of interest, history, and beautiful scenery.
The Urban Wilderness Gateway Park is one prime example of how to preserve nature in an ever-growing city. Adding new improvements will only serve to bring many more people in to enjoy the variety of outdoor fun to be had. For more information, please visit the Urban Wilderness website. And if you are looking for another way to stay in the city, we have a whole day planned in Knoxville with a stay at the luxurious hotel known as The Tennessean.
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