I was hoping to find some cooler temperatures down by the riverside but it did not happen today…read more Suttree Landing Park hugs the shoreline of the Tennessee River on the South Knoxville side. This linear park includes a playground and a covered pavilion plus playgrounds, picnic tables and a level paved space for the walkers and runners. It's hard to beat the beautiful Knoxville skyline though it sure is hot in June! They also have a kayak launch. [Review 1189 of 2024 - 505 in Tennessee - 22212 overall]

When I visited, construction was active and residences were going up in the area. The park as…read morepresently constituted offered a short waterside walk and some recreational facilities. I observed no water fountains or restrooms, and there was no viable pedestrian connection to any of the bridges or other paths. The parking area was handy. I hope and expect that when construction is finished, there will be more connections and more to do here.

Well maintained City Park. Great for families to enjoy a stroll, picnic, frisbee toss, etc...Thank…read moreyou City of Knoxville!

This is one of my favorite parks in all of Knoxville. First it's so big. The park has an amazing…read moreloop that's perfect if you're trying to do a few laps to get some miles in. It also has a trail that goes beside a pond and goes into a wooded area that's great if you're looking for a more serene experience. In addition there is a dog park and typically when I've been there the people are very chill which is not the same at other dog parks I've been to where some folks can be a little uptight. There's a large shelter - perfect for picnics - and large green fields which often hosts soccer games among other sports. Finally I don't have children but from what I can tell the playground looks fantastic - pretty new and updated very big and there's always a lot of kids playing at it. There's also a pretty large frisbee golf course. Victor Ashe has a little bit of everything for the whole family which is why I love it so much!

Cataract Falls is one of the easiest and most family-friendly waterfalls in the Smokies. The walk…read moreis short, mostly flat, and shaded. perfect for young kids, older adults, or anyone who doesn't want a strenuous hike. There's lots of places to walk or swim in the shallow stream with rocks the water was too cold for us Floridians but still refreshing to wash your hands in. One tip: we initially drove around trying to find the trailhead and couldn't figure out where the entrance was. We finally stopped at the Sugarlands Visitor Center gift shop and learned the trail starts directly behind the visitor center near the restrooms. You'll need a parking pass to park, but we opted for the all-day parking tag since we planned to visit multiple areas in the national park, and it was well worth it. The waterfall itself isn't huge, but it's peaceful, and a great spot for photos. If you're looking for a quick, relaxing waterfall without a long hike, Cataract Falls is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Walk to the fall is nice - the fall is a bit average - it is not very large. We enjoyed the walk…read more There are some logs and puddles along the way for kids to enjoy.

Such a pretty and peaceful place to walk. We stumbled across this place. Really fell in love with…read morethe views and I even learned a little history about Knoxville. If your ever downtown walk over and take a journey down the river.

Whether you ride, walk or drive here, this is an excellent park for people of all ages and…read moremobilities. We like to ride in, maybe snack at Calhoun's, then stop to play at the splash pad on our way back. This paved and cemented path ties into the Knoxville greenway system. The splash pad has upward jets of varying height, a waterfall feature kids can run under, and two waterfalls into shallow pools. The waterfalls into pools are supposed to be decorative only. At the very least they are filled with small to large dangling feet, and at the most, it is filled with little kids, regardless of signage. There is a grassy area and a pet waste station with bags. Some benches and porch like swings are dispersed on the area. I wish there was a shade structure over the benches by the splash pad. One of my favorite features are the stone monuments referencing Knoxville's wild and bohemian past. See photos attached to this review for details. This is a great destination for anyone with kids, or a love of being in the outdoors.

The Gatlinburg Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is wide, mostly level, and…read morestunning. Flanked by forest and the river, the trail is lushly green with the sound of water flowing over rocks as you meander. When we were there, there in April we passed by several people on the trail so it doesn't feel too remote. If it's your first day at the park, this trail is a great way to begin your adventures. It will take you to the national park visitor's center where you can get more info (and souvenirs). We didn't take the full trail but what we did, we loved. Get to it!

Today was our 3rd time walking the Gatlinburg Trail (April, 2025; Sept, 2023; and some earlier…read moredate!) It's a wide, two-mile trail along the Pigeon River, that connects the Great Smokies Sugarland Visitors Center with the town of Gatlinburg. In each case, we walked both directions to make it about a 4.0 mile "hike." It's more-or-less flat, with a total elevation change of about 180', with one hill in the middle. The trail is mostly, but not completely, shaded. The trail is very popular, so you'll see quite a few people, which also makes it impossible to get lost. There are families with strollers and young kids; people walking dogs on leashes; older couples (like us)! It seems that we see something new every time. In Sept, 2023, we saw a bear on the riverbank on the side across the river near the footbridge. Today, we saw an eastern garten snake (nonvenomous) on the trail. We also discovered an old cemetery that was in plain sight but we had somehow missed during earlier visits. Two recommendations to make the trail even better: (1) more benches. There is one bench that was relatively close to the Gatlinburg entrance, but only rocks or tree stumps to sit on until you reach the Visitors Center. (2) more mileage marker signs. And, a TIP. Parking can be a challenge. You can park at the large lot at the National Park Service (NPS) Sugarland Visitors Center or in one of the few parking spaces near the Gatlinburg entrance to the trail. In either case, you need to display a NPS parking pass ($5). Most recently, in April 2025, when we arrived around 11 am on a Monday, these areas were packed with dozens of cars circling and looking for a spot. We ended up parking in an expensive private lot near the Gatlinburg entrance to the trail -- $20 for parking until 2 am. Shorter durations were not available.

Grotto Falls was such a fun family adventure! We hiked it with our three kids, and everyone had a…read moregreat time. The trail was beautiful, the waterfall was awesome, and the kids did surprisingly well on the hike! And we got a bonus Smoky Mountain experience before we even reached the trailhead and we saw a mama bear with her cubs along the drive! Talk about setting the tone for the day! Beautiful scenery, a fun hike, and memories the whole family will be talking about. Definitely one of our favorite adventures in the Smokies!

Grotto Falls is a beautiful hike and definitely worth seeing. Walking behind the waterfall is a…read moreunique experience, and the trail is shaded with gorgeous scenery along the way. The biggest challenge is getting there. There are only about 10 parking spots on a one-way road, with very few pull-off areas along the entire route. We actually drove there twice and couldn't find parking either time. We ended up having one person drop us off and pick us up later at an agreed-upon time since cell phone reception on the trail was very spotty. The hike to the falls is mostly uphill for about 1 mile, and I had to take several breaks. I wouldn't consider it toddler-friendly. The hike back is much easier since it's downhill, but you still need to be careful. The trail is full of roots, rocks, and slippery terrain that blend into the dirt, making it easy to slip, trip, or twist an ankle. One member of our group was injured, so I highly recommend wearing quality hiking boots with good traction and ankle support. Despite the parking challenges and moderately difficult hike, the waterfall is beautiful and worth the effort if you're prepared and arrive early.

I tried coming here during summertime and it was a mad house and not one parking spot left. So I…read morewent by to check it out. There was a sign I forgot to take a picture of a ton of rules and regulations. Unsure if you could even bring a floatie because literally says no to everything else. They do have a dock you can walk on but the water is dark and murky. Just looks creepy and I don't think I would want to swim here in the summertime.

If you want to bring your own paddle board without having to spend money.. dont. Ive always seen…read morepeople with their own paddle boards/kayaks (i have asked) and i thought it was allowed. Some of my friends have even done it there as well. I went there for my first time paddleboarding and was kicked out because it was "prohibited" even tho people were walking past us with their own paddle boards. Just a money grab. I wont lie they have pretty views so if you just want to float or relax there with your kids it is a great place, but if your wanting to paddle board or kayak with your own stuff, they will kick you out.

This is a fun, minor hike (I believe it is about a half mile. Great views, peaceful, not very…read morecrowded normally.

The Smoky Mountains are the geese that lay Blount County's prolific supply of golden eggs. Look…read moreRock Tower is the perfect place from which to view them all at once! There's ample parking, a short paved trail, and a big pay-off at the end - a 360 view. Please be aware that the Foothills Parkway and the tower are on federal land, so mind your manners. Also, a parking pass is required.