Home › Tennessee › Knoxville › Fort Dickerson Park
Fort Dickerson Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,186 Google reviews · Running trail in Knoxville, Tennessee · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Fort Dickerson Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Expansive 1,000-acre city park featuring hiking trails, a swimming quarry & Civil War sites.
What runners say about Fort Dickerson Park
“Beautiful place to visit, there is a list of rules from the city of Knoxville to keep it family friendly but of course it also takes three city workers to enforce them daily.”
“Beautiful, calm, and peaceful.”
“Beautiful place to visit, there is a list of rules from the city of Knoxville to keep it family friendly but of course it also takes three city workers to enforce them daily.”
The old fort area is pretty low key with the nice cannons but a nice historical area for Knoxville. The real rock star of this place is the quarry area. There are sometimes hundreds of folks floating on our hanging out around the quarry on hot days. Mostly college crowds but a good place for families too.
Beautiful view of the quarry, river, abs city! Great fit a small walk with kids or pets. They have picnic tables with shelters. Cannons are there as well. There are placards showcasing the city during this era. Very clean and open. A definite gem of Knoxville! A very enjoyable experience!
I don't think it's really open to the public, we had to walk 1/2 mile down a rail road track to get to the park, but once we arrived there were 100 or more people there having a blast.. we had a great time there. There are no shallow places to swim, so if you have children please make sure they have flotation devices.
This place surprised me. I enjoyed visiting this location. There was no one around, first off. Not a crowded place. I wish there had been a map of the trails so I would know how far they go. The first stop is the overlook of the quarry. Then at the back of the park are picnic tables and the remains of the fort.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful place to visit, there is a list of rules from the city of Knoxville to keep it family friendly but of course it also takes three city workers to enforce them daily.”
“Not a lot of parking at the overlook but it wasn't busy so that was fine.”
“Since the city has pumped money into it, there are now bathrooms, changing area, kayaks, free life jackets and all kinds of floating docks on the water.”
Plan your run at Fort Dickerson Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteknoxvilletn.gov
- Phone+1 865-215-4311
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Knoxville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
High Ground Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 155 reviews
Civil War-era park with wooded trails and views of the city and Smokies.
The Bluffs
4.7 ★★★★★ 71 reviews
Easy hiking trails, plus a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River and downtown Knoxville.
River Bluff Wildlife Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 42 reviews
Landscaped park offering trails for hiking and gravel pathways, along with views of the city skyline and river.
Baker Creek Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 113 reviews
Park featuring wooded and landscaped areas for hiking and mountain biking trails.
Baker Creek Preserve
4.9 ★★★★★ 119 reviews
Nature preserve with trails, a pump track, and jump line for bikers of all skill levels.