Are Knoxville Area Arboretum worth a visit?
Whether you are a thru-traveler on I75 or I40, or spending a few days in the Knoxville area, the answer is Yes! We hike two arboretum.
Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum
The Knoxville Botanical Gardes and Arboretum is on the east side of downtown and is the site of an old plant nursery. There are lots of trail options and our 90 minute hike varies between level pathways across terraces lined with rock walls, to some trails in the woods. Admission is free and there is lots of parking and a small visitor center & gift shop. We liked finding the Hidden Garden and the Bamboo Forest.
UT Arboretum Oak Ridge
The UT Arboretum Oak RIdge is on the west side of downtown Knoxville enroute to Oak Ridge. Again, lots of trail options, and our 90 minute hike is rugged with steep inclines from the valley floor to some ridges with nice views. We recommend hiking shoes. Again admission is free and there is lots of parking onsite. This arboretum has a notable collection of hollies, part of this living forest labratory for the University of Tennessee. We like BBQ and after our hike, we dine at Buddy’s in Oak Ridge.
Which of the two would we recommend?
For a thru-traveller wanting a break from driving, we would recommend the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. If you have more time and energy, put on your hiking shoes, fill your water bottles, and try the trails at the UT Arboretum Oak Ridge.