Knoxville nature center and trails

Ijams Nature Center

5.19 road mi · about 12 min

Ijams Nature Center protects more than 320 acres and 14 miles of trails about 5.19 road miles from the Rambler depot.

The place

About Ijams Nature Center

Ijams Nature Center spans more than 320 acres of forest, meadow, wetland, creek and Tennessee River landscapes with more than 14 miles of trails.

Grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. The Visitor Center is open Sunday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

No general entry charge is published, but parking is separate: $5 per car per day, $12 weekly or $50 annual, with members free. Preserve the official 2026 free-parking dates without calling entry and parking the same thing.

The master plan says visitors with good mobility may find some routes easy while topography limits disabled visitors and most trails are challenging. Planned improvements are future work, not current access.

What stands out

Explore Mead's Quarry

Check current water, trail and activity rules before choosing the quarry area.

Walk Tennessee River trails

Choose among current designated routes based on slope, surface and mobility.

Start at the Visitor Center

Pick up maps and use published restrooms, snacks, shop and animal exhibits.

Follow outdoor policies

Keep dogs, bikes, boats and water activities within the named rules.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Three Rivers Rambler trip

Ijams ranks second about 8,344 meters, or 5.19 road miles and roughly 12 minutes, from the Rambler depot. It is an independent road stop, not a train stop.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • GroundsDaily 8 a.m.-dusk.
  • Visitor CenterSunday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • EntryNo general admission charge was published; activity fees may be separate.
  • Parking$5 car/day, $12 weekly or $50 annual; members free. Check official 2026 free-parking dates.
  • Visitor Center amenitiesLive animals, shop, maps, snacks and restrooms are published.
  • DogsLeashed dogs are allowed on grounds but not in the Visitor Center; dogs are not allowed in Nature Playscape.
  • AccessibilityTopography and challenging trails limit access; confirm a suitable current route rather than relying on future plans.
  • SafetyStay on trails; no private boats at Mead's Quarry, rock jumping or diving, open fires, smoking or glass.

Choose a compact downtown museum

Add Museum of East Tennessee History

Use the history museum for an indoor regional-story stop with a bounded free-admission offer.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When are the grounds open?

Daily from 8 a.m. to dusk.

When is the Visitor Center open?

Sunday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Is there an entry fee?

No general entry charge was published, but parking and activities can have separate fees.

How much is parking?

$5 per car per day, $12 weekly or $50 annual; members are free. Check the official free-parking dates.

Are dogs allowed?

Leashed dogs are allowed on grounds but not inside the Visitor Center or in Nature Playscape.

Are all trails accessible?

No. The master plan says topography limits disabled visitors and most trails are challenging. Confirm a suitable current route.

Can visitors bring boats to Mead's Quarry?

Private boats are prohibited. Follow current activity and water-safety rules.

Do the photos show current conditions?

No. The four works are dated 2008, 2011 or undated and do not establish current water, trails, entrances or access.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-17. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.