Explore Knoxville, Tennessee

After the French and Indian War ended in 1763, Euro-American settlers headed west of the Appalachian Mountains. Less than two decades later, settlements had already been established in the French Broad and Houston valleys. The United States tried to order settlers out of the area to little avail. Knoxville itself traces its roots back to 1786 when a Revolutionary War officer built a fort near First Creek. Called James White's Fort, this structure still stands in downtown Knoxville and is open to tours. White drew up a total of 64 land lots, leaving the waterfront area for a town proper. 

Knoxville has a humid, subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid while the winters are cooler with little precipitation. No snow typically occurs outside of January and February. Visit any time of year to enjoy the city's World's Fair Park. Back in 1982, this park hosted the renowned World's Fair. Two significant structures remain from this exposition, including the Tennessee Amphitheater and Sunsphere. Today, this park is also home to a small lake with a fountain and a 5-acre performance lawn used for community and cultural events. 

The city's most iconic structure is the 266-foot Sunsphere. This hexagonal steel truss structure is topped with a 75-foot, gold-colored glass sphere. There is a $5 admission fee to go up to the fourth level to enjoy the observation deck. Children under 12 years old can go up for free with a paying adult. The deck is closed on Mondays as well as on major holidays. 

Some renowned local historical sites include the William Blount Mansion, which was built in 1792 by one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The Bijou Theatre was built in 1909 as an addition to the luxurious Lamar House Hotel. Throughout the years, it served as a venue for vaudeville, traditional theater, a commencement stage and a movie house. At the north end of World's Fair Park, you'll find the 1905 L&N Station. This former rail passenger train was built by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad before being renovated for the World's Fair. Blount College, which was founded in 1794, became the foundation for the current University of Tennessee.

Campgrounds Near Knoxville, Tennessee

Southlake RV Park is just 5 miles away from downtown Knoxville. A few miles south, you'll find the Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This RV campground has 80-foot, pull-through campsites complete with full hookups. There's also a swimming pool, laundry room, bathhouse and free Wi-Fi. You can even occasionally find a food truck on-site.

Soaring Eagle Campground in Lenoir City is only 25 miles west of Knoxville near an Interstate 40 exit. Popular sporting venues like the Bristol Raceway and I-40 Motocross are only a short drive away. This facility is right next to a lake where you can kayak, canoe and fish. Feel free to stop by the general store for supplies or spend your days by the swimming pool. The 90 RV sites come with full hookups and start as low as $34 a night.

Raccoon Valley RV Park in Heiskell is a great camping option for big rigs. Most of the 87 campsites available are pull-through. The campground also has a general supply store, laundry machines, a clubhouse with showers and a dog run. This site is close enough to the Great Smoky Mountains that you can enjoy a lovely day trip. You also have easy access to the city's most adored attractions via nearby Interstate 75. 

State Parks Near Knoxville, Tennessee

Big Ridge State Park covers 3,687 heavily forested acres on the south shore of the Norris Reservoir. You'll find 15 miles of nature trails that weave over old roadbeds and hollows. You may even spot some evidence of previous settlements in the area. Water sports like boating, swimming, fishing and paddling are also popular here. There are 50 campsites near Norris Lake open to tents, trailers and RVs up to 35 feet long. Camping rates start at $28 a night.

Norris Dam State Park is home to its namesake dam that started as a pilot project of the Tennessee Valley Authority. This dam created the 53,875-square-mile Norris Reservoir, which has about 809 miles of shoreline. The west portion of the park is most popular with visitors as it includes a campground, marina, boat ramp and the Lenoir Museum Cultural Complex. The older, east portion was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You'll find a total of 15 trails here with the longest reaching 5 miles long. Eleven of these paths are open to mountain bikers while five are shared with horseback riders. 

Cove Lake State Park is situated in eastern Tennessee near Jacksboro and Caryville. It encompasses 673 acres around the 210-acre Cove Lake. Adventurous hikers often enjoy following the Cumberland Trail until it connects to the northern Fork Mountain or the western Cross Mountain. The park's massive campground has 106 campsites that can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet long. You'll love the two warm shower houses, swimming pool and boat ramp. Along with biking and hiking, you can also fish for crappie, bass and bluegill from Cove Lake. 

National Sites Near Knoxville, Tennessee

Foothills Parkway sits on the northern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 1944, there was such high demand for a road to be constructed through the park that the Foothills Parkway was created. This road is the national park's only unfinished highway. You're welcome to walk the rugged path and get an up-close look at the various visible mineral deposits. 

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park memorializes where settlers would pass through the mountains on their way west. Along with witnessing breathtaking vistas of the landscape, you can also check out the extensive underground cave system. The moderately difficult Sand Cave and White Rocks Via Ewing Trail is popular with wildlife enthusiasts hoping to spot red and gray foxes, white-tailed deer, rabbits, black bears and eagles. 

The Obed Wild and Scenic River is one of 208 stunning rivers designated as significant by the United States. It runs for 43 miles and takes a huge plunge from almost 2,000 feet down to just 846 feet. The surrounding land is full of forests, ridges and canyons where you can hike, picnic and explore. You'll find an amazing 35 different species of virgin deciduous trees here. 

National Forests Near Knoxville, Tennessee

Located in southwestern North Carolina, Nantahala National Forest covers 530,000 acres. It's home to more than 600 miles of hiking trails. Visitors often spend time fishing, whitewater rafting, camping, wildlife viewing and stargazing. Challenge yourself to tackle the 12-mile Belding Trail #52, one of the more difficult paths in the forest. The mighty Nantahala River is known to provide exceptional trout fishing opportunities. 

Pisgah National Forest was initially part of the first land bought to create national forests in the eastern United States. Today, it spans 500,000 acres and is home to the historic first school of forestry. You're likely to spot foxes, deer, skunks, bears and groundhogs as you hike. Many of the local rivers and streams have healthy populations of rainbow, brook and brown trout. While geocaching is permitted, it's best to check the park's specific restrictions and guidelines before you arrive.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest actually consists of two national forests in northern Georgia. Combined, these two parks cover 886,468 total acres. The Chattahoochee area is known for its tall mountain peaks while the Oconee region has flatter land with fewer hills. The pet-friendly Dukes Creek Trail is a great option for hikers of all skill levels who want to walk, hike, watch for birds or enjoy the lovely waterfall. Birding is popular here year-round as the park is home to more than 190 species of birds. Don't forget to plan some time for unobstructed stargazing once the sun sets.