The park is named after Harry and Alice Ijams, who established a bird sanctuary on the property in the early 20th century.
The site contains the remnants of the Ross Marble Quarry, which provided stone for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The Will Skelton Greenway connects the center directly to the wider Knoxville riverfront park system.
The Jo’s Grove area features a canopy walk designed for viewing local forest ecosystems at varying heights.
The center's wetlands were restored to provide critical habitats for migratory birds and amphibians.
Mead’s Quarry Lake was formed by groundwater flooding a decommissioned marble excavation site.
Ijams Nature Center is a 318-acre nonprofit park located on the banks of the Tennessee River in Knoxville. It serves as a primary hub for outdoor recreation, featuring over 12 miles of earthen trails that wind through forests, wetlands, and limestone rock formations. The center maintains the Mead’s Quarry area, which offers deep-water swimming and paddleboard rentals in a former industrial rock quarry. Visitors can observe local wildlife in protected meadows and hardwood forests. The grounds serve as a gateway to the Knoxville Urban Wilderness, a system of connected greenways and forest trails. Education programs are hosted year-round for school groups and families focused on regional ecology. Several historic remnants of the site's former life as a marble quarry and farm are visible throughout the property.
The elevated boardwalk overlooking the turquoise waters of Mead’s Quarry Lake.
Bring water-appropriate footwear if you plan to visit the quarry swimming area.
Check the official website for scheduled trail maintenance alerts before arriving.
Visit the visitor center first to pick up a paper map, as cell service can be spotty in the wooded sections.
Do not attempt to swim in areas of the quarry lake marked as off-limits, as these sections contain submerged industrial equipment.
