10 Winter Hikes You Should Take Near Knoxville

Ijams Nature Center is conveniently located just outside of downtown Knoxville. Go from the city bustle to calm nature in just about 4 miles. The Ijams grounds are open from 8 a.m. to dusk, which is perfect for a day of winter hiking. The 318-acre urban outdoor getaway features more than 14 miles of natural surface trails. Walk the famous River Boardwalk for stunning views of the Tennessee River.
 

• Destination highlights: Ijams Nature Center must-see outdoor features include The Keyhole, a manmade rock formation featuring a rock bridge and a doorway to "God's Chain;" Navitat, the treetop adventure park designed for all ages; and the Primal Playground where fitness goes wild with natural equipment like stones and logs.
   
• Parking information: $5 per car each day. 
   
• Accessibility options: Ijams Nature Center has recently received a 2025 REI grant that will expand adaptive trails throughout Ijams. For specific information, please call 865-577-4717.
   
• Scenic highlights: Each trail leads you through quarry rock formations, old-growth forests and wetlands. 
   
• Trail levels: Riverside Trails and Quarryside Trails offer unique experiences to hikers. Consult the trail map to choose easy, moderate and difficult trails that range from 0.2 miles to 3.6 miles.

Take a winter hike up to House Mountain and amongst its sandstone boulders rising among forests of sugar maple, buckeye and ash trees, you can see views of mountain ranges like the Unakas and Cumberlands, each about 30 miles away. These views are a mere 16 miles near downtown Knoxville, making House Mountain the perfect winter hike if you're looking for outdoor recreation close to the bright lights and bustle of the city. It's also a favorite place for birdwatching. Spot wild turkey, pileated woodpeckers, scarlet tanagers and more than 100 additional species of birds.

Seven Islands State Birding Park is a premier birding destination for birdwatching. The park stretches 416 acres along the picturesque French Broad River. It's a habitat for songbirds, waterfowl and hawks that can be seen along hiking trailsand around several old barns that dot the park, which canbe home to barn owls.  

• Destination highlights: More than 220 species of birds can be sighted by birdwatchers. Follow more than 9 miles of hiking trails up ridges, to the waterfront and around the refuge.
   
• Parking information: Free parking is available at the main trailhead as well as throughout the park at designated trailheads.
   
• Accessibility: The Bobwhite Accessible Trail is a paved 0.9-mile, one-way
   
• Scenic highlights: Natural trails, rolling hills and views of the Great Smoky Mountains make this park a winter hiking treat.
   
• Trail levels: Grade percentage of each trail indicates a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers. 
                       Bobwhite Accessible Trail: 2.4% average with a maximum of 7.7%
                       Kelly Lane Greenway: 2.3% average with a maximum of 7%
                       Island Loop Trail: 2.4% average with a maximum of 17%
                       Seven Islands Loop Trail: 2.1% average with a maximum of 23.6%
                       Upland Trail Outer Loop: 5.5% average with a maximum of 23.8%
                       Seclusion Bend Trail: 3.2% average with a maximum of 28%
                       Upland Trail Inner Loop: 8% average with a maximum of 37.2%
                       Hickory Ridge Loop Trail: 11.7% average with a maximum of 37.1%
                        
   

More than 800 miles of shoreline make Norris Dam State Park in Rocky Top, located 28 miles near Knoxville, an ideal winter hiking destination. Marvel at the 4,000-acre Norris Reservoir and Dam, constructed in 1933. If you're looking for where to hike in December and in January, look no further than the park's 15 hiking trails, ranging from .5 miles to 5 miles which are ideal if you want to hike in the winter to enjoy outdoor adventure or simply take a walk in the winter for some fresh air.

• Destination highlights: The park has a fully equipped marina with a boat ramp available.
   
• Parking information: Parking areas include the canteen, tennis court parking lot and Marine Railway trailhead off Highway 441 to access the West Side Trails. For the East Side Trails, it's recommended to park at the Tea Room, Horse Trailer Parking Lot, Shelters 1 and 2 parking lots and TVA Visitor Center parking lot.
   
• Accessibility: Trail accessibility questions can be answered by calling the Tennessee State Parks Accessibility Team at 865-425-4500. 
   
• Scenic highlights: Marvel at Norris Dam and enjoy recreational fishing, boating and skiing on the 4,000-acre Norris Reservoir. The park's most diverse trail is Marine Railway, blazed black for moderate to difficult, and leads you to lake views, forests and even an old wagon road. The Storybook Trail is ideal for children and features scenes from the book, Oliver's Tree by Kit Chase as well as questions for children to consider the environment while winter hiking. Chuckmore Trail leads you to one of the highest points in the park, marked moderate to strenuous along the 2.3 hiking trail.
   
• Trail levels: The 15 trails that wind through Norris Dam State Park range from easy to strenuous. 

Cove Lake State Park is where to hike in December and January because it's situated in a mountain valley on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau, providing stunning mountain and Cove Lake views in the winter. Enjoy a winter walk along the paved walking trail while snapping photos of the picturesque lake. Enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets at the 606-acre park.

• Destination highlights: Hiking trails lead you through wetlands and woodlands, offering diverse nature and wildlife viewing. An 11-mile section of the CUmberland Trail connects Cove Lake State Park to Tank Springs in LaFollette.
   
• Parking information: Parking is available at the Visitor Center, Triple Falls Trailhead, Volunteer Trailhead and at the Cove Lake boat launch
   
• Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs, designed to navigate a wide range of terrains are available. Advanced requests are highly recommended. An adult-sized changing table is located inside the Nature Center. Shelter 1, 3 and 4 are wheelchair-friendly, ideal if you want to enjoy picnicking after winter hiking. 
   
• Scenic highlights: Do some winter hiking along the East section of the Paved Trail to see beautiful views of Cove Lake and find access to the fishing pier. The West section of the Paved Trail has some great birdwatching opportunities and other wildlife at the Wildlife Observation Platform. Take the Volunteer Trail for one of the best winter hikes where you'll wind through woodlands and get access to the Cumberland Trail, Tennessee's first linear state park which connects to Tank Springs in LaFollette. 
   
• Trail levels: The Dam Trail is a 1-mile easy trail, the Paved Trail is an ADA accessible trail. 
                       Paved Loop (East) grade is 1.6% average with a 21.5% maximum
                       Paved Path (West) grade is 3.2% average with a 15.8% maximum
                       Paved Loop (North) grade is 3.7% average with a 12.7% maximum
                         

The nation's most visited park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has a wealth of winter hiking opportunities. Get out in nature and discover what wildlife roams this time of year. With waterfalls, forests, panorama views, and caves, the most difficult part of your trip will be choosing which trail to explore. One of the best winter hikes in the U.S. is the Trillium Gap trail that leads you to the 25-foot Grotto Falls. The best access to this trail is via the Rainbow Falls Trailhead, which adds about 3 miles each way to your hike. It's worth it, though - the falls are even more stunning after a soft layer of snow coats the surrounding trees.

• Destination highlights: You'll cross multiple streams, old-growth trees and a cool mountain cove with mossy boulders. 
   
• Parking information: Parking is available at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Road.
   
• Scenic highlights: The 25-foot waterfall is a unique waterfall that you can walk behind. Rainfall and high water can make for muddy and slippery conditions, so be abundantly cautious when hiking in the winter.
   
• Trail levels: From Rainbow Falls, the trail is about 10 miles roundtrip. The trail is well-traveled, so experiencing Grotto Falls during the week or early in the morning is highly encouraged.

Explore 24,000 acres of wilderness made of hiking, biking and horse riding trails at Frozen Head State Park. The peak of the Cumberland Mountains at 3,324 ft. is covered in ice and snow in the winter months. Perfect for that always-coveted Tennessee Instagram photo-op.

• Destination highlights: You can enjoy dense forest and unspoiled mountains at Frozen Head State Park as well as various species of birds and unique rock formations.
   
• Parking information: Parking available at the Visitor Center, Old Mac Trailhead and Panther Branch Trailhead.
   
• Accessibility options: ADA-accessible rooms, cabins and campsites are available to reserve. Shelter C is wheelchair friendly. Free picnic area featuring one wheelchair-accessible picnic table is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and located at the Visitor Center. Wheelchair-friendly parking and restrooms are located at the Visitor Center as well. For additional questions, please contact the Park Office at 423-346-3318.
   
• Scenic highlights: While trails are under construction since Oct. 1, 2025, stay in touch with Tennessee State Parks for ongoing updates. Once open, the Panther Branch Trail leads you to two waterfalls as well as impressive rock formations. The 2.1-mile trail is considered moderately challenging. The still-open Chimney Top Trail leads you to dense forests, unique boulders and incredible views of the Cumberland Plateau. 
   
• Trail levels: The 18 trails at Frozen Head State Park vary from easy to difficult. All trails are natural surface and range from 0.1 miles to 7 miles. 

Cherokee National Forest is 650,000 acres of forest that has over 700 miles of trails, seven whitewater rivers, driving trails and plenty of places for wildlife viewing or a night under the stars. During the winter months, take a hike to one of the waterfalls or follow a trail up the Unaka Mountain, along Tellico River or see pretty views from Watauga Lake. The Citico Creek Area (shown) hosts activities like fishing, horseback riding, hiking and camping.

• Destination highlights: More than 700 miles of winter hiking trails are what make Cherokee National Forest one of the best winter hikes destinations in the U.S.
   
• Parking information: Cherokee National Forest day passes are available for $2 a day per vehicle on the Unaka and Watauga Ranger Districts and $3 a day per vehicle on the Ocoee and Tellico Ranger Districts.
   
• Scenic highlights: See Bald River Falls, follow the trails along Starr Mountain and be stunned by the forested hillsides around the Hiwassee River.
   
• Trail levels: Hiking trails are all rated differently depending on difficulty. Consult this list of winter hiking trails to find your ideal outdoor experience in Cherokee National Forest.

Enjoy a day of winter hiking by gazing up at the iconic Twin Arches found in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The two impressive geological formations rise to the sky, providing a stunning backdrop for winter photos. They are the largest natural bridge complex in Tennessee and one of the largest known in the world.
 

• Destination highlights:  The South Arch is the tallest at 103 feet high and the North Arch is 62 feet high. In Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, you'll find a full 350 miles of trails that lead you to overlooks, waterfalls, beautiful overlooks and more.
   
• Parking information: Parking is available at the trailhead.
   
• Scenic highlights: The arches provide incredible forest and gorge views. Birdwatching is popular here, too, as you can sit on the arches and spot warblers flying below.
   
• Trail level: The Twin Arches Trail is a short but moderately difficult 0.7-mile walk that will bring you to the Twin Arches and the Twin Arches Loop Trail. Take the loop trail clockwise to find Charit Creek Lodge, historic Jake's Place and the base of a cliff line back to the Twin Arches. The full loop is 4.6 miles and includes steep wooden stairs and cliff edges.

Bundle up and hike to the 110-foot high Virgin Falls for a beautiful winter view. The trail descends about 900 feet along a rocky path. At 1.5 miles, there is a cable crossing at Big Laurel Creek. You'll be among dense forest and pass by rockhouses, boulder fields and more waterfalls. It's ideal if you want a wild winter hiking adventure.
 

• Destination highlights: Other waterfalls in the natural area include Big Laurel, Sheep Cave Falls and Big Branch Falls.
   
• Parking information: Parking is available onsite.
   
• Scenic highlights: Caves, sinkholes and stunning rock formations can be seen. 
   
• Trail level: Virgin Falls trail is 9 miles roundtrip and is considered strenuous. It's recommended to allow 5-9 hours for the hike.