Each winter, hundreds of bald eagles visit Reelfoot Lake State Park to explore the flooded cypress forest and hunt for fish. This Tennessee State Parks link shows cabins and campsites available for rent, suggesting booking for January or February.
Let’s look at some outdoors events a bit closer to home:
Saturday, January 14
Winter Woodpecker Walk: 9:30 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $8. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Bring binoculars. Register online.
Sunday, January 15
Birding with Friends: 8 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Free. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Join Kirk Huffstater of the Knoxville Birding Club for a hike. All levels welcome. Easy to moderate 2-3-mile walk. Register online.
TVB Winter Gravel Ride 2: noon, Black Oak Ridge. Free. Info: Tennessee Valley Bikes at 865-540-9979. We’ll ride a 10.5-mile loop with ~1200 feet of climbing at a casual group pace. Details online.
Tuesday, January 17
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.
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, January 18
KTC Group Run: 6 p.m., Runners Market. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Wednesday evening social pace group run. All paces welcome. Distance options vary. Please abide by social distancing guidelines.
Thursday, January 19
Knoxville Marathon Races Training: 6 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 in a positive and fun group atmosphere, all while pushing you to become stronger and faster. Details online.
Trail Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Meads Quarry. Free. Info: 865 Running. Join us every Thursday, weather permitting! We’ll have short and middle range options available. Alliance will have $1 off pints after the run for participants.
Saturday, January 21
Saturday Spruce Up: 9-12 p.m., Northwest Middle School. Free. Info: Keep Knoxville Beautiful at 865-521-6957. We will be planting 36 trees, including maple, oak and elm trees, along the greenway and playground. All supplies provided. 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.