Friends, the warm weather is here and we’re ready to get out and enjoy it. That’s exactly what we’re doing exploring the beauty of nature minutes from the heart of the city. Welcome to Ijams.

This is Ijams Nature Center. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this place is 318 acres of awesome. From beautiful hikes, to gorgeous waterways, to stunning cliffsides – Ijams has it all. Time to explore.

The first stop on our tour was Mead’s Quarry Lake. These sparkling waters are surrounded by tall rocky cliffs that dive into the 100-foot depths of this one-time marble quarry. When the marble ran out, the spring filled up – leaving us with crystal clear water and an amazing 25 acres of blue to enjoy.

This quarry and others like it are what led to Knoxville’s nickname, The Marble City. Today the blasts and exhaust of that industry have given way to birdsong and fresh air. And at Ijams, there’s plenty to go around.

Just step onto one of the 14 miles of hiking trails that wind their way through this Great Smoky Mountain wilderness… and breath deeply. Strolling through the forest you encounter not only the beauty of nature, but also really fun and beautiful ways that some of our fellow humans have structured that nature. And if the lateral movement of hiking is a little too easy for you, there are other ways of challenging yourself here.

There is Ijams Crag. Here they have more than 30 routes that range from 30 to 60 feet. This is a climb at your own risk area and you have to bring your own gear – but as we like to say on the Ingles Open Road – all the best days begin by signing a waiver.

Whether your day features two feet firmly planted on the ground… the deep blue gliding by beneath your boat… or nothing between you and land but 60 feet of air… there’s something for everyone at Ijams.