Visit Knoxville has released its 2023 official visitor’s guide in both print and digital formats. Check it out here. It’s packed with so much information and fun that even the ads are exciting. And you’re guaranteed to come away saying, “Wow, I didn’t know we had THAT here.”
Now let’s look at some outdoors events coming this week:
Saturday, February 4
AMBC MEGA Work Party: 9-12 p.m., The Cove at Concord Park. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. We’ll have all the tools – bring water, gloves and safety glasses. Lunch and beverages provided. Details online.
Birds of Prey Hike: 10 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $8. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Hike 3 miles to look for hawks, vultures, kestrels, owls and eagles. Learn about their habitats and the field marks you need to identify them. Bring field guides and binoculars. Register online.
Sunday, February 5
Maple Syrup Demonstration: 11 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $5. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Ranger Clare will be tapping trees, boiling maple sap and making syrup at the outdoor classroom. Stop by between 11 and 3 to learn how to make maple syrup. Register online.
Thursday, February 9
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.
Friday, February 10
Jackson Kayak Fun Tour: 6 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Free. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join Jackson Kayak’s Nick Troutman and Clay Wright for a Meet and Greet followed by a pool session at West Side Y covering freestyle, basic fundamentals and rolling and bracing. Details online.
Saturday, February 11
Birding: TVA Songbird Trail: 9 a.m. Must pre-register with Ron Shrieves at ronshrieves@gmail.com for meeting time and location. Free. Info: Harvey Broom Sierra Club. Non-birders who are curious about birding are welcome. Bring water and binoculars (if you have them). Details online.
Volunteer Workday: 9-noon, Seven Islands State Birding Park. Free. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Volunteers are needed to remove invasive plant species; privet, honeysuckle, winter creeper and multiflora rose. Hand tools provided. Register online.
Superb Owl Hike: 6 p.m., Big Ridge State Park. Cost $5. Info: Big Ridge State Park at 865-992-5523. Join Ranger Josh for some Owlsome cookies and hot chocolate before a night hike searching for owls by the old CCC water towers along the Chestnut Ridge trail. Bring lights. Register online.
Sunday, February 12
Galentine’s Day Joy Ride: noon, Loyston Point Trails. Free. Info: AMBC Joy Ride. Celebrate lady friends and our one true love … bikes. We make sure every rider is comfortable with the group’s pace and that no section of trail is beyond the ability level of the group. E-bikes welcome. Details online.
Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com Add your event to our calendar: Submit an event here.
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.