in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! With over 800 miles of trail to explore, 700 miles of mountain streams to fish, almost 80 historic structures to visit, countless waterfalls and scenic overlooks, it is one of the most popular parks in the country. Every season is uniquely beautiful: winter’s snowcapped peaks and trails, springtime’s parade of wildflowers, summer’s cooling swimming holes, and fall’s kaleidoscope of intense colors.
Features: trails, hiking, bicycling, equestrians, snowshoe/skiing, paddling, fishing, swimming, wildflowers, birding, wildlife viewing, restrooms, picnic areas, shelters, camping
GREENBELT PARK Downtown Maryville
Located in downtown Maryville adjacent to the courthouse, this park serves as a hub for the greenway trail system, with trails leading in three different directions. The 2.5-mile Greenbelt Trail follows Pistol Creek from behind the courthouse to Greenbelt Lake and connects to trails circling the lake. This area also includes the Charles West amphitheater and picnic pavilion, and the Blount County Library is nearby.
Features: greenways, amphitheater, picnic areas, exercise stations
HAW RIDGE PARK
821 Edgemoor Rd., Oak Ridge 778 acres 865-425-3450
Haw Ridge Park, situated on a scenic peninsula along the Clinch River between Knoxville and Oak Ridge, boasts both water and land recreational activities. Weaving through the park, the almost 30 miles of singletrack/dirt road trails accommodate trail runners, hikers and mountain bikers. And it’s a gold mine for
the geocachers that come in search of bounty. The 5 miles of Clinch River shoreline furnish anglers and paddlers with their portion of the park to enjoy.
Features: blueway access, fishing, paddling, trails, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, geocaching, wildflowers
INDIAN MOUNTAIN STATE PARK 143 State Park Circle, Jellico 423-784-7958 200 acres
Located near Tennessee’s northern border, this 200-acre park is unique in that it was developed as a reclamation project in which abandoned strip mining pits were converted to recreational use. The park is the first in the state, and likely the first in the Southeastern United States, to demonstrate the feasibility of using abandoned mining sites as parkland.
Features: trails, hiking, wildflowers, wildlife viewing, fishing, paddling, swimming, restrooms, playgrounds, accessible trail, picnic area, shelters, camping
KINGSTON CITY PARK 333 W. Race St., Kingston 865-376-6584 11 acres
Located on Watts Bar Lake, Kingston City Park features two playgrounds, tennis courts, sand volleyball, a basketball court, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, boat ramps and docks. Starting at the park, the Betty Brown Memorial Walking Trail begins a 3-mile shoreline voyage through three parks before ending at Fort South West Point Park.
Features: greenways, wildlife viewing, tennis, basketball, volleyball, blueway access, fishing, paddling, playgrounds, picnic areas, shelters, restrooms
LADD PARK
1470 N. Kentucky St., Kingston 865-376-6584 7 acres
On the shoreline of the Clinch River at the mouth of the Emory River, Ladd Park features a skatepark, blueway access for paddlers and anglers, picnic facilities, and a boat ramp and dock. The Betty Brown Memorial Walking Trail runs along the shoreline of the park and invites walkers and runners to enjoy the beautiful waterfront views.
Features: blueway access, fishing, paddling, skateboarding, picnic areas
LEGION PARK IN LOUDON 201 Ferry St., Loudon 865-458-7525 4.5 acres
Legion Park features a skatepark, baseball field, two playgrounds and a picnic area. For walkers and runners, there is an almost half-mile of paved trail.
Features: greenways, accessible trail, skateboarding, baseball, playgrounds, picnic area, shelter, restrooms
LOUISVILLE POINT PARK 3298 Cox Rd., Louisville 16 acres
Surrounded on three sides by the Tennessee River, Louisville Point Park features an abundance of water-related recreational activities (paddling, fishing, swimming) plus a few land gems—sand volleyball, horseshoes and a playground. There are many choice waterside picnic areas for eating, relaxing, and socializing.
Features: blueway access, fishing, paddling, swimming, wildlife viewing, volleyball, horseshoes, playground, picnic areas, shelters, restrooms
LOUDON MUNICIPAL PARK
1470 Roberson Springs Rd., Loudon 865-458-7525 120 acres
The Loudon Municipal Park features an 18-hole disc golf
regional course, four baseball fields, a soccer field, and a sand volleyball court. For walkers and runners, there is a halfmile paved trail and a 2-plus mile natural surface trail.
Features: greenways, accessible trail, trails, disc golf, baseball, soccer, volleyball, playgrounds, picnic areas, shelters, restrooms
MELTON LAKE PARK
Melton Lake Dr., Oak Ridge 865-425-3450
On the shores of Melton Hill Lake, the beautiful Melton Lake Park provides a boat ramp and shoreline access for paddlers and anglers. There is a playground, picnic shelter, and a sand volleyball court. Ride your bike, push a stroller or take a nice run over to the park by way of the scenic Melton Lake Greenway.
Features: greenways, accessible pavilion, volleyball, blueway access, fishing, paddling, playgrounds, picnic areas, shelters, restrooms
NORRIS DAM STATE PARK
125 Village Green Circle, Lake City 865-426-7461 4,038 acres
Surrounded by beautiful hardwood forests and miles of Norris Lake shoreline, Norris Dam State Park is a recreational haven. Paddlers and anglers seek to explore the 700 miles of pristine shoreline while land adventurers wander through miles of scenic trail that weaves through the park’s valleys and ridges. The state park also features a full line of sporting amenities, a swimming pool, and family activities. Two camping areas are within the park and one primitive site is nestled deep in the woods. Trails are multi-use and connect with the Norris Watershed Trail System.
Features: trails, hiking, mountain
Get Out and Play! 57