Outdoors: Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville

Merry Christmas Eve Y’all!

Ijams Nature Center is a beautiful nature preserve located just a few minutes from downtown Knoxville and a great respite from the bustle of the city.

In 1968, the Knoxville government purchased the land from the Ijams Family and opened it as a park while also adding rundown industrial sites to their portfolio, like the Ross Marble Quarry, that they are striving to return to their native habitat. The coolest thing they have is the Boardwalk suspending on a rock cliff above the Holston River that shows you a neat closed off cave and a very cool perspective on the location itself.

It is always cool to benchmark these places and see how they stack up with similar sanctuaries as we have our version, Reflection Riding here in Chattanooga that is similar in scope but different in terrain. All the boys wanted to do was toss sticks in the river

Y’all go be Tennesseans today with your family and get ready for the onslaught of wrapping paper and carbs tomorrow!