IJAMS Nature Center and Quarry
2915 Island Home Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920
Distance from campus: 3.7 miles
http://ijams.org/things-to-do-and-see/canoe/
According to a poll on Twitter, students at UT say they are more likely to find themselves at the Knoxville Zoo than IJAMS Nature Center. After speaking with several students about this topic, I came to the realization that students were more likely to answer the Knoxville Zoo because they did not know about IJAMS or the services they offer.
Students are able to enjoy a beautiful, nature-filled adventure without having to travel all the way to Gatlinburg to the mountains. IJAMS Quarry offers over an hour of kayak rental for only $12!
If you are looking for a nature experience without getting in the water, IJAMS also has over 300 acres with “protected wildlife habitat and natural areas.” You can ride a bike on the greenway, have a picnic on the lawn or walk the boardwalk along the Tennessee River.