Have you visited Fall Creek Falls State Park recently? The cabins remain, but the original lodge has been replaced with a resort-style hotel. Amenities include outdoor pool, fire pits, dining, full bar, lake views and free continental breakfast. And the park itself offers hiking, waterfalls, golfing, fishing, kayaking and more. Check out Fall Creek Falls here.

Now let’s look at some outdoors events a bit closer to home:

Ongoing Events

East Tennessee Fishing Show & Expo – Jan 26-29: Knoxville Expo Center. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Vendors and exhibitors provide a selection of custom tackle, lures, rods, reels, boats, apparel, accessories – everything you could want or need. Enjoy seminars from the best fishing professionals in the sport. Details online.

Sunday, January 29

Couch to Trail: 6 p.m., Zoom. Info: LB Endurance Lab at 865-935-4161. Join us for a free Informational session and learn how to get off the couch and down that beautiful trail. Details and Zoom link.

Monday, January 30

Knoxville Marathon Races Training: 6:30 p.m., Fleet Feet Knoxville. Free. Info: Fleet Feet Sports at 865-675-3338. The training program is designed to help you achieve your long-distance running goals. 10-week training program starts the week of Jan 23th. You should be able to run/walk 2-3 miles comfortably. Details online.

Tuesday, January 31

SlowKno Tuesday Run: 6:30 p.m., Suttree Landing Park. Free. Info: Slowkno Running Club. Weekly runs and training exercises. All levels. Park has lights. Join group on Facebook for updates.

Wednesday, February 1

Fly Fishing 101: 5 p.m., 3 Rivers Angler. Free. Info: 3 Rivers Angler at 865-200-5271. Each class teaches the basics of rigging, casting and other essential fly-fishing skills. All gear and instruction provided free of charge. Space is limited to 6 students. Call 3 Rivers Angler or email info@3riversangler.com .

Friday, February 3

Naturalist Skills– Feb 3-5: 9 a.m., GSM Institute at Tremont. Info: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont at 865-448-6709. Become a better observer of natural phenomena, learn how to provoke your curiosity, and ask meaningful questions, and discover new ways to document your outdoor experiences so you can learn and grow as a naturalist. Details and registration online.

Saturday, February 4

Winter Woody Plant ID: 8:30 a.m., GSM Institute at Tremont. Info: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont at 865-448-6709. Learn to notice leafless characteristics that will benefit your observation and identification skills year-round. Register online.

 Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com Add your event to our calendar: Submit an Event at https://outdoorknoxville.com/events-calendar/submit-an-event/

Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.