National Trails Day is always the first Saturday in June, and there is no shortage of activities to choose from. Events held throughout the U.S. promote awareness of the wide range of benefits that trails provide, encourage communities to discover their local trails, raise awareness of trail issues and instill excitement for the outdoors. National Trails Day is a day that can enjoyed by all, whether you are walking, biking, accessing waterways for paddling or birdwatching.
Without leaving the city, you can enjoy over 50 miles of urban trails on your own or join an Urban Hike to Suttree’s Landing Park guided by Alan Sims of Inside Knoxville. Learn how easy it is to travel from the center of downtown Knoxville into our lush wilderness.
Join the XTERRA Trail Run Race, an organized run that winds through the Urban Wilderness. Participants will encounter plenty of rocks, roots, and climbing to test their grit. Register here.
Tennessee State Parks are offering a variety of ranger-led day hikes, night hikes, history hikes, nature hikes or trail clean-up hikes. With more than 1,000 miles of trails ranging from easy, paved trails to rugged backcountry trails to scenic waterways. Check out the full calendar of state park hikes.
Imagine the sun setting over a flowing river with swallows and bats swooping over the water, chirping of summer cicadas, and lightening bugs glowing throughout the forest. This can be a reality if you join the two-mile sunset hike through the Seven Islands Birding Park.
Frozen Head State Park is hosting a work day focused on the most strenuous and remote sections of the park — the North Bird Trail.
Join Ranger Hatmaker for the three-mile round trip hike to the Devil’s Racetrack at Cove Lake State Park. You will experience a number of waterfalls and an excellent view of Cove Lake from atop Devil’s Racetrack.
There are many more National Trails Day events taking place this weekend. Visit OutdoorKnoxville.com for a full list of group activities. Whichever trail you follow, don’t forget to leave no trace!
