Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a connected network of parks and more than 60 miles of multi-use trails winding through the forests, ridges, and neighborhoods of South Knoxville—all just minutes from downtown. The network crosses a unique patchwork of public and private lands, made possible through partnerships among landowners, nonprofits, and local government.

For mountain bikers, the Urban Wilderness offers an incredible variety of riding in one connected system. Expect everything from approachable greenways and flowing singletrack to old-school rooty terrain, technical trails, and purpose-built downhill runs. These are shared trails, so riders should expect to encounter hikers, runners, families, and other trail users along the way.

Riders can put together a quick after-work loop, explore individual parks, or link multiple trail systems for a big day on the bike. Baker Creek Preserve and Gateway Park serve as great starting points, with connections leading deeper into the Urban Wilderness.

With multiple trailheads, nearby food and bike shops, and routes for a wide range of abilities, it’s easy to build your own adventure and experience one of Knoxville’s defining outdoor destinations. Please respect private property, other trail users, and posted closures, and check current trail conditions before riding.

Look for the Urban Wilderness logo blaze on South Loop trails, which highlight all the parks in the Urban Wilderness corridor along a 12.5-mile loop.