- Attraction: Third Creek Greenway Park
- Location: 3110 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919
- Industry: Park
- Website: City of Knoxville Parks
Adventure takes on a whole new meaning when you discover a trail that offers both urban convenience and natural serenity.
Third Creek Greenway Park delivers exactly that blend, stretching over five miles through west Knoxville with connections to an impressive 18-mile greenway network.
This paved pathway has become a treasured resource for locals who appreciate the ability to walk, run, or bike through tree-lined corridors without worrying about traffic.
As one of Knoxville’s pioneering greenways built back in the 1990s, Third Creek Greenway has evolved and expanded over the decades into the well-maintained trail system you’ll experience today.
You’ll find this greenway threading through the heart of the community, following the gentle curves of Third Creek before eventually meeting up with the Tennessee River near the University of Tennessee campus.
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Keep Exploring →Trail Features & Scenic Highlights
The Winding Creek Views: The greenway follows Third Creek for much of its route, giving you constant water views as the stream babbles alongside the paved path.
Multiple wooden and concrete bridges cross over the creek, adding visual interest while keeping you dry and connected to the trail. The riparian corridor creates an immersive natural feeling despite being in the middle of a bustling city.
Shaded Forest Canopy: Dense tree coverage along significant portions of the trail provides welcome relief during hot Tennessee summers. You’ll appreciate how the wooded sections create a private, peaceful atmosphere with neighborhoods tucked behind the trees.
The dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves makes for particularly beautiful walks during spring and fall.
Connection to Multiple Parks: The greenway bisects Tyson Park at its midpoint, where you can take a break at the playground, tennis courts, skatepark, picnic shelters, or restrooms.
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Discover MoreThe eastern terminus brings you to the stunning University of Tennessee Gardens, a botanical showcase that’s worth planning extra time to explore. These park connections transform a simple trail into an all-day adventure destination.
Multi-Use Paved Surface: The completely paved trail accommodates everyone from casual strollers to serious cyclists. The smooth surface works perfectly for families with young children on bikes, joggers training for races, or anyone pushing a stroller.
You’ll find the path wide enough to comfortably share with other users while staying safely away from vehicle traffic.
Strategic Access Points: Multiple entrance locations make the greenway incredibly accessible. Popular entry points include Third Creek Park on Sutherland Avenue, Tyson Park off Kingston Pike, the Earth Fare shopping center area in Bearden, and near the UT Gardens.
This flexibility means you can choose your starting point based on where you want to grab food before or after your visit.
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Keep Exploring →The Greenway Network Experience
Seamless Connections: Third Creek Greenway serves as a central hub linking to the Neyland Greenway along the Tennessee River, the Sequoyah Greenway heading southwest, and the Bearden Village Greenway extending further west.
These connections allow you to customize your distance, with options ranging from a quick two-mile out-and-back to an ambitious 10-plus-mile journey combining multiple greenways.
River and Garden Destinations: Following the trail to its eastern end rewards you with gorgeous Tennessee River views where Third Creek flows into the larger waterway.
The location right by Neyland Drive gives you front-row access to the UT campus area, complete with views of the rowing team’s boathouse and dramatic limestone bluffs across the water.
Safe Underpasses: The trail passes safely beneath major roadways like Alcoa Highway using well-designed underpasses.
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Discover MoreThese eliminate dangerous road crossings and maintain the greenway’s peaceful flow. You’ll only encounter two actual road crossings along the main route at Concord Street and the quieter Tobler Lane.
Historic Elements: History buffs will be intrigued to know that a Civil War fort was discovered at Third Creek Greenway Park. While exploring the area, you’re literally walking through layers of Knoxville’s past, from its role in the Civil War to its modern transformation into a recreation-focused community.
Atmosphere & Setting
Urban Nature Blend: The greenway expertly balances accessibility with natural immersion.
You’re never far from civilization, with restaurants and shops available at both ends of the trail, yet the wooded sections genuinely feel like you’ve escaped into the countryside.
It’s this combination that makes the greenway such a valuable community asset.
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Keep Exploring →Well-Maintained Paths: You’ll notice how clean and debris-free the trail stays throughout the year. The paths remain clear of excessive grit, making for smooth biking conditions.
Regular maintenance ensures that even after storms, the greenway returns to excellent condition relatively quickly. The cleanliness and upkeep demonstrate the city’s commitment to this recreational resource.
Active Community Space: The trail buzzes with activity, particularly on weekends and evenings. You’ll encounter friendly joggers, families on bike rides, dog walkers with leashed pets, and casual strollers all sharing the space harmoniously.
This steady stream of users contributes to the trail’s safe, welcoming atmosphere where you’ll often receive friendly greetings from passing exercisers.
Changing Scenery: No two sections of the greenway feel exactly alike.
You’ll transition from heavily wooded creek-side paths to more open sections with sun exposure, past urban parks with bustling activity, and through quieter stretches where you might spot diverse wildlife. The variety keeps every walk interesting.
Practical Considerations
Free Access & Parking: The greenway costs nothing to use, making it an incredibly affordable recreation option for residents and visitors.
Ample parking exists at multiple access points including dedicated greenway lots off Neyland Drive and Sutherland Avenue, plus larger lots at Tyson Park and the shopping centers at the Bearden end.
During busy times, you might need to circle for a spot at the most popular entrances, but you’ll generally find parking within a reasonable walk of the trail.
Difficulty Level: The trail earns a medium difficulty rating thanks to some steeper sections, though the overall route remains fairly level following the creek and river.
Most casual users will find it quite manageable, while the length provides enough challenge for serious exercise. The minimal elevation gain of around 200 feet over the full distance makes it accessible to a wide range of fitness levels.
Family-Friendly Features: This greenway excels as a family destination. The separation from vehicle traffic means parents can relax while kids ride bikes ahead.
The playground at Tyson Park provides a perfect mid-trail break for younger children. The smooth, paved surface works well for training wheels and is far more forgiving than many trails for learning riders.
Bike Rentals Available: If you don’t have your own wheels, RiverSports near the Sutherland Avenue entrance rents both adult and children’s bikes starting around $20 for four hours.
Pace Bike Share stations also dot the area if you prefer the convenience of one-way rides using their app-based system.
Best Times to Visit: The greenway stays open from dawn to dusk year-round since there’s no trail lighting. Early morning and early evening see the heaviest use from commuters and after-work exercisers.
If you prefer quieter conditions, midday weekdays offer the most solitude. Summer visits benefit enormously from the shaded sections, while spring and fall showcase beautiful foliage changes.
Pet Policies: Dogs are welcome but must remain leashed at all times. You’ll want to bring waste bags to clean up after your furry companion. The trail’s popularity with dog walkers means your pet will enjoy plenty of canine socialization opportunities along the route.
Food & Refreshment Options: While there are no facilities directly on the trail itself, both ends offer dining opportunities.
The Bearden end near the shopping center provides immediate access to restaurants and cafes, while the eastern end near campus connects to Cumberland Avenue’s restaurant strip.
Pack water for your journey, though, as you won’t find drinking fountains along most of the route.
Weather Considerations: The flat terrain means flooding can occur during heavy rains, particularly in low-lying sections near the creek. Check conditions after major storms before heading out.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense in the unshaded stretches, so plan accordingly with sun protection and hydration. The trail’s paved surface clears relatively quickly after rain, making it usable in more conditions than natural surface trails.
Third Creek Greenway Park
📍 3110 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919
