Want to burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories? Here’s the Outdoor Knoxville event calendar for the upcoming week. Enjoy!
Friday, Nov. 23
Day After Thanksgiving Hike – N. Bird Loop: 7 a.m., Frozen Head State Park. Free. Info: Frozen Head State Park at 423-346-3318. The hike will be on the North Bird and Bird Mountain Trail. This will be approximately 10.5 miles and a difficult rated hike. Bring clothes and shoes fit for cold-weather hiking, sack lunch and at least two liters of water.
Smokies Service Days – Vegetation Management: 9 a.m., Marathon gas station in Sevierville to carpool to work site. Free. Info: Great Smoky Mountains Association at 865-436-1278. Volunteers needed to help care for park cemeteries, campgrounds, trails, roadsides, rivers and native-plant gardens. After the work, it’s time to have some fun! Pack a lunch and a lawn chair to sit around and learn about invasive plants and animals in the park, the impact they have and steps you can take to prevent them from spreading! Sign up online.
Holidays on Ice – Nov. 23-Jan. 6: Market Square. Enjoy skating in the heart of Downtown Knoxville! Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night. There may even be a panda sighting by our Holidays on Ice mascot, “Peppermint Panda”! (Closed Christmas Day.) Details online.
Turkey Strut: 10 a.m., Cove Lake State Park. Free. Info: Cove Lake State Park at 423-566-9701. Come join Ranger Cross to burn off that extra helping of dressing! We’ll take an easy 2.5-mile walk around Cove Lake’s Woods Loop Trail, then we’ll loop around Goose Island. Register online.
Gobble Wobble: 10 a.m., Panther Creek State Park at the Boat Ramp. Free. Info: Panther Creek State Park at 423-587-7046. Have you eaten too much turkey? Are you afraid you will wobble while you walk? Then come out to Panther Creek State Park and wobble down a trail with the ranger. Register online.
Gobble Wobble: 1 p.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Free. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Come and give thanks for grasslands with Ranger Tyler and Allyson as we hike off some of that stuffing. We’ll discuss grassland management, fire ecology and the upcoming projects at the park. The 2-mile loop will be moderate with some brief climbs, but mostly level to gently sloping. Register online.
Hefty Holiday Hike: 2 p.m., Norris Dam State Park at West Campground water tower. Free. Info: Norris Dam State Park at 865-426-7461. Hike with Ranger Joe to work off our holiday gains. The trail route runs through some scenic old-growth forests, takes us down by the lake and past some rock outcroppings. Route is about 3 miles with moderate to strenuous terrain. Register online.
Green Friday Hike: 3 p.m., Fort Loudoun State Historic Park at Meadow Loop Trailhead. Free. Info: Fort Loudoun State Historic Park at 423-420-2331. Join Ranger Baghetti for a2.5-mile hike on Meadow Loop, rated moderate. Register online.
Friday Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Pour Taproom. Free. 865 Running. Run 3 miles downtown, World’s Fair Park and riverwalk. Then drinks with 10 percent off! All levels welcome.
Saturday, Nov. 24
Bike Zoo Saturday Ride: 9 a.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. 3-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting!
Ijams Nature Center Hike: 10 a.m., Ijams Nature Center. Free. Info: Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. The hike will be either 2, 3.5 or 4.5 miles, depending on how much you do. Leader: Betty Glenn.
Nemo Picnic Area Cleanup: 11 a.m., Obed Wild & Scenic River at the Nemo picnic area. Free. Info: Obed Wild & Scenic River at 423-346-6294. Community Volunteer Ambassador Joshua Daugherty will lead volunteers in cleaning up the picnic area and surrounding shoreline. Afterward, participants are invited to hike the Emory River Gorge section of the Cumberland Trail. The hike is a moderately difficult 2.6 miles round-trip leading to an overlook of the confluence of the Emory and Obed Rivers.
Stonecipher-Kelly House Tour: 12 p.m., Frozen Head State Park. Cost $3. Info: Frozen Head State Park at 423-346-3318. Join Ranger Joe for a tour of the 200-year-old Stonecipher-Kelly House and surrounding property. Register online.
Paddle Program: Naturalist Paddle: 3 p.m., Ijams River Landing. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717, ext. 110. Join Ijams for the last paddle of the season! This moderate paddle is for ages 15 and up and is not recommended for first-time paddlers.
Sunday, Nov. 25
Intro to Climbing: 1 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.
Yoga for Climbers: 7 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost $8. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join us for yoga every Sunday. Participants will receive a 20 percent off PrAna & Lole card.
Monday, Nov. 26
KTC Group Run: 6 p.m., Balter Beerworks. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Monday evening social pace group run; afterward, stick around for a discounted beer.
South Knox Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Alliance Brewing Company. Free. 865 Running. Social pace 3ish-mile run; come back for $1 beers. All levels are welcome.
Bearden Beer Market Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Bearden Beer Market. Free. Info: Bearden Beer Market at 865-851-8922. Group Fun Run through the neighborhood. Open to all levels of walkers and runners followed by $1 off all pints.
Group Run Alcoa/Maryville Greenway: 6:30 p.m., Bike N’Tri in Maryville. Free. Info: Bike N’Tri at 615-944-1729. Group run on the Alcoa/Maryville Greenway. All levels welcome.
Appalachian Mountain Bike Club Monthly Meeting: 7 p.m., South Coast Pizza. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Everyone is welcome to come hear what’s happening with Knoxville-area trails! Come get involved with the mountain biking community here in Knoxville.
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Tuesday B Group Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. B Group is a “No Drop” ride (15-18 mph) 35-45 miles. Must have general skills to ride roads with car traffic. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.
Tuesday A Group Ride: 10:30 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. A Group rides 40+ miles at 20+ average pace. This group is for advanced riders with good pace line skills. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.
Intro to Climbing: 6 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Birding with Friends: 8 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Free. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 865-407-8335. Join us for an early-morning birding hike, identifying by sight and sound some of the 200 species of birds spotted at the park! All levels of experience welcome. These hikes are perfect opportunities for fledgling birders and seasoned bird nerds to mingle!
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 intro-to-fly-fishing skills. Gear and instruction are free of charge. Bring a fly rod and reel with line if you have one (if not, one can be provided in the beginning).
KTC Group Run: 5:30 p.m., Runners Market Bearden. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Wednesday evening social pace group run. All paces welcome. Distance options vary. Grab a beer with some good folks afterward!
Climbing Fundamentals: 6 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Come learn the basics of climbing with our Climbing Center staff. Space is limited; reserve your spot now!
Night Gravel Grinder Ride: 6:30 p.m., North Boundary Trails. Free. Info: Knoxville Bicycle Company at 865-240-3499. Very casual pace about 11 miles, just for fun! Night Gravel Grinder ride, Bring your Cross, Gravel or MTB. Two levels of riding “A” and “B.” Bring lights! Regroups as necessary.
Thursday, Nov. 29
Tuesday A & B Group Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. A Group ride is usually a 40+ miles at 20+ average pace. This group is for advanced riders with good pace line skills. B Group ride is a “No Drop” ride (15-18 mph) 35-45 miles. Must have general skills to ride roads with car traffic. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail – Trip Planning: 6 p.m., REI Knoxville. Info: REI Knoxville at 865-584-1938. This class is designed to give the prospective Appalachian Trail (AT) hiker and backpacker a solid foundation for planning a trip on the trail. We’ll teach you the logistics behind a hiking or backpacking trip. Class is free but must preregister online.
North Knox Beer Runners: 6 p.m., Central Flats and Taps. Free. Info: North Knox Beer Runners. Fun and easy run through North Knox and Happy Holler. Don’t forget lights and reflective gear.
Fleet Feet Sports Open Group Run/Walk: 6 p.m., Fleet Feet Sports. Free. Info: Fleet Feet Sports at 865-675-3338. Our 30-60-minute route varies week by week in the various neighborhoods and greenways around the store. All levels welcome.
Friday, Nov. 30
Campfire Cooking: 12 p.m., Panther Creek State Park at Upper Campground Shelter. Cost $5. Info: Panther Creek State Park at 423-587-7046. Join Ranger Jammie as we learn how to make some tasty treats and savory eats. We will look at what size Dutch oven to start with and discuss a few different methods of campfire cooking. Register online.
RunLoCo Marathon Pasta Dinner: 5: p.m., The Venue in Lenoir City. Info: Run LoCo. Pre-race pasta dinner with our special guest speaker, the one and only John Kelly, the last person to complete the Barkley Marathon, the race that eats its young! Register online.
Ijams Out and About: Night Hike: 6 p.m., Founders Park Pavilion at Campbell Station. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717, ext. 110. All ages. The world changes at night. Together we will step out into the night to interpret its sounds, smells and sights. The fee for this program is $4 for individuals and $10 for families (up to two adults and any children under 18 years of age). Register online.
Friday Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Pour Taproom. Free. 865 Running. Run 3 miles downtown, World’s Fair Park and riverwalk. Then drinks with 10 percent off! All levels welcome.
Saturday, Dec. 1
Dayhike, Point Lookout Loop hike, Panther Creek State Park: Must preregister with Denise Bivens at denisebivens@gmail.com for meeting time and location. Free. Info: Harvey Broom Sierra Club. This 5.1-mile hike is a vista-laden trek with multiple views of Cherokee Lake from shoreline and hilltops, including the Smallman Overlook. Rated moderate.
Run LoCo Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K: 8 a.m., Loudon County Courthouse. Info: Run LoCo. Lace up your running shoes and join us. Proceeds benefit programs served by the Loudon County Education Foundation. Details and registration online.
Saturday Group Run: 8 a.m., Runners Market Bearden. Free. Info: Runners Market at 865-588-1650. Join us for a relaxed-pace run of 3 to 5.5 miles along the Third Creek and Sequoyah Hills greenways. Afterward, enjoy coffee and refreshments.
Bike Zoo Saturday Ride: 9 a.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. 3-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting!
Winter Trail Run Series #1: 9:30 a.m., Meads Quarry at Ijams Nature Center. Free. Info: KyBRa Athletics at 865-999-3126. Join us for a fun group run. There will be multiple groups on the trail, so whether you’re a seasoned ultra-runner or brand new to the sport, we’ll have a crew for you.
Catalyst Climb: 10 a.m., River Sports Outfitters. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. The first Saturday of every month we are climbing with Catalyst Sports. This event is for anyone with physical disabilities. All ages are welcome to come and climb our rock wall.
Coffee and Climb with a Ranger: 10 a.m., Obed Wild & Scenic River. Info: Obed Wild & Scenic River at 423-346-6294. Join National Park Service rangers for a free cup of coffee and Q&A about climbing. Then we’ll head over to the climbing area. We provide all of the gear. All you need to bring is drinking water and sturdy footwear. Details online.
Guided Trail Walk: 10:30 a.m., Ijams Nature Center. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717, ext. 110. Each walk is guided by a naturalist who can answer your questions about what you are seeing, ongoing projects, future programs and more. This is a FREE program with a recommended $5 donation. No registration necessary.
Sunday, Dec. 2
Intro to Climbing: 1 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.
Reindeer Run 5K Road Race & 1-mile Fun Run/Walk: 2 p.m., Maryville Municipal Building. Info: Maryville Parks & Rec at 865-983-9244. Race is a 5K (3.1 miles) road race and 1-mile fun run/walk in Alcoa. A portion of the proceeds benefit Blount County’s Area 15 Special Olympics. Register online.
Yoga for Climbers: 7 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost $8. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join us for yoga every Sunday. Participants will receive a 20 percent off PrAna & Lole card.
Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
Add your event to our calendar: Submit An Event Form– https://www.outdoorknoxville.com/calendar/submit-event