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Holston River Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 781 Google reviews · Running trail in Knoxville, Tennessee · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Holston River 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.

MixedShadedLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

Kids-friendly park featuring a grassy soccer field and fishing docks.

What runners say about Holston River Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (781 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful, clean, great staff, loved the river pool, if I could rate higher I would.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 13 mentions

“This is a beautiful park with picnic pavilions, playground,walking trails and places to take in a morning of fishing.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful, clean, great staff, loved the river pool, if I could rate higher I would.”

Absolutely beautiful place to kayak and fish. There's a play area nearby and trails. Perfect for a family cookout or to jog around the path. We loved it, and plan on going back soon.

★★★★★ — Shonna , Aug 2022

Beautiful green space with an excellent historic site. Well maintained, lots of shade, well marked, easy access and easy to find. We were very impressed.

★★★★★ — Meghan , Jul 2024

Holston River Park is a beautiful and peaceful place to get some steps in. The paved walkways take you through wooded areas and alongside the river, making for a very relaxing walk.

★★★★★ — Timothy , Jul 2025

Spacious park with a nice little walking trail and Greenway. My kids enjoyed the park which definitely could use a little TLC. The location is dated compared to some of the others around Knoxville but is still a solid option for families in East Knoxville.

★★★★☆ — Cory , Jul 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 781 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 15 mentions

“This is a beautiful park with picnic pavilions, playground,walking trails and places to take in a morning of fishing.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful, clean, great staff, loved the river pool, if I could rate higher I would.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“The park is well-equipped with amenities, including pavilions with grills, restrooms, a playground, soccer field, dog park, and spots for fishing.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“The paved walkways take you through wooded areas and alongside the river, making for a very relaxing walk.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

“The paved walkways take you through wooded areas and alongside the river, making for a very relaxing walk.”

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🚻 Restrooms

“The park is well-equipped with amenities, including pavilions with grills, restrooms, a playground, soccer field, dog park, and spots for fishing.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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💡 Lit for night running

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🚰 Water fountains

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Holston River Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • 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, water — 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–6 pm
Tuesday 7 am–6 pm
Wednesday 7 am–6 pm
Thursday 7 am–6 pm
Friday 7 am–6 pm
Saturday 7 am–6 pm
Sunday 7 am–6 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Holston River Park

3300 Holston Hills Rd, Knoxville, TN 37914

Get directions

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.

Ijams Nature Center

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Wetlands & rock formations fill urban nature park with 10 miles of trails plus bike & canoe rental.

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Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 712 reviews

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MixedScenicDog-friendly

Sprawling public park with over 50 miles of interconnected trails, forested expanses & a river.

1.4 miles away

Ijams Crag

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Park with trails and climbing opportunities.

2.3 miles away

Marie Myers Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 48 reviews

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Park offering kid-friendly hiking trails and biking.

2.5 miles away

Baker Creek Preserve

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Park featuring wooded and landscaped areas for hiking and mountain biking trails.

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Baker Creek Preserve

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Nature preserve with trails, a pump track, and jump line for bikers of all skill levels.

2.8 miles away

All running trails in Knoxville, TN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.