The Best Day Trips From Knoxville

By Dezimey Kum

Knoxville is the perfect starting point for exploring some of the most scenic and exciting destinations in the region. There’s something for everyone just a short drive away.

Hiking, waterfall trails, scenic overlooks and wildlife sightings make this park ideal for nature lovers. Key spots like Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove highlight the Smokies’ beauty. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A lively spot for family fun, Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood, the Titanic Museum and numerous amusement parks.

Pigeon Forge

Visit the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, take a stroll on the Parkway or enjoy a distillery tour. The town offers scenic views, souvenir shopping and plenty of unique dining options. 

Gatlinburg

Norris Dam State Park is ideal for picnicking, hiking and fishing. With more than 4,000 acres of forest and the serene Norris Lake, the park is perfect for a peaceful day in nature. 

Norris Dam State Park

Known as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” Townsend offers a quieter gateway into the mountains. Spend the day tubing down the Little River or visiting the Tuckaleechee Caverns.

Townsend

Oak Ridge holds historical significance as the “Secret City” of the Manhattan Project. Oak Ridge holds historical significance as the “Secret City” of the Manhattan Project.

Oak Ridge

Only 10 minutes from downtown Knoxville, Ijams offers a nature escape with its 300 acres of trails, rock climbing areas and tranquil Mead’s Quarry Lake.

Ijams Nature Center

Known for its preserved 19th-century buildings, this town hosts storytelling events, antique shops and historical tours.

Historic Jonesborough

Cumberland Gap is where Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia meet. Hike to Pinnacle Overlook for sweeping views, or explore Hensley Settlement – an early 20th-century mountain village.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

A scenic mountain town about 90 minutes from Knoxville, Tellico Plains offers access to the Cherohala Skyway and Bald River Falls.

Tellico Plains & Bald River Falls

Knoxville’s central location makes it easy to discover a variety of destinations without traveling far.

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