Tennessee · United States
Cycling in Knoxville
Best season: March–June, September–November
Knoxville’s claim to cycling fame is the Urban Wilderness — more than 60 miles of connected, natural-surface trail spread across 1,000+ acres of South Knoxville, close enough to downtown that you can pedal from a riverfront hotel to real singletrack in minutes. Baker Creek Preserve anchors the gravity end of the system, Ijams Nature Center the mellow end, and the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club keeps it all in famously good shape. Riders who’d rather stay flat can cruise the Neyland Greenway along the Tennessee River past the stadium and Volunteer Landing.
The rental setup here is unusually convenient: Knoxville Adventure Collective sits right at Volunteer Landing with Kona town bikes from $20 and mountain bikes up to full-suspension, Bear Paw Bikes operates from Baker Creek Bike Park itself so you can roll from the counter straight onto the trails, and River Sports Outfitters adds e-bikes and a seasonal outpost at Ijams. For a guided day, Knoxville Outdoor Tours pairs local trail-builder guides with Specialized e-MTB rentals and will meet you at the trailhead.
Downtown, the Cumberland House (Tapestry by Hilton) is listed with complimentary guest bikes for spins around World’s Fair Park — confirm the program when booking, as the details aren’t published. Trails here drain reasonably well but skip the dirt for a day after heavy rain, and in summer start early: East Tennessee humidity is no joke by noon.
Weather in Knoxville
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · KNOXVILLE- Jan 48° 30° 4.8"
- Feb 53° 33° 4.8"
- Mar 61° 40° 4.9"
- Apr 71° 48° 4.7"
- May 79° 57° 4.1"
- Jun 86° 65° 4.2"
- Jul 88° 69° 5.3"
- Aug 88° 68° 3.6"
- Sep 82° 61° 3.5"
- Oct 72° 49° 2.8"
- Nov 60° 38° 4.2"
- Dec 51° 33° 5.0"
Bike-friendly hotels
We earn a commission if you book through the links below, at no extra cost to you. It's how this guide stays free.
Cumberland House Knoxville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Boutique Hilton overlooking World's Fair Park whose listing advertises complimentary bikes for quick rides around downtown and the park — well placed for greenway cruising.
Before you book: Confirm the complimentary bike program with the front desk (fleet size, helmets, waiver, first-come or reservable, season) — Hilton's site could not be loaded directly to verify.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-11)
Marriott Knoxville Downtown
Downtown hotel near Neyland Stadium and the riverside greenways; Expedia lists bike rentals among its amenities for exploring the waterfront.
Before you book: Verify the bike rental amenity exists and its price with the hotel before relying on it — this claim comes from a single aggregator listing.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-11)
Where to rent or borrow a bike
Bear Paw Bikes
Rates by phone
Full-service MTB shop at Baker Creek Bike Park — ride out the door onto Urban Wilderness trails; rents Norco hardtail, full-suspension, and e-MTBs in 3-hour to 3-day blocks with a $300 refundable security deposit.
Call ahead: Confirm current rates (roughly $55–$100 half-day / $90–$160 full-day per Visit Knoxville) and waiver policy — call (865) 327-2327.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
Knoxville Adventure Collective
From $20/day · waiver required
Riverfront outfitter at Volunteer Landing renting Kona town bikes from $20, hardtails $40, and full-suspension MTBs $75, with trailhead delivery to the Urban Wilderness; a SmartWaiver participant waiver is required.
Call ahead: Confirm whether posted prices are per-day and that helmets/locks are included (helmet detail is from Visit Knoxville) — call (865) 228-8424.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
River Sports Outfitters
From $45/day · waiver required
Long-running Sutherland Ave outdoor shop renting electric, mountain, and greenway bikes (signed Bike Rental Waiver required), with seasonal rental outposts at Ijams Nature Center and The Cove in Farragut.
Call ahead: Confirm current prices (MTB $45/day and e-bikes $50 half / $100 full per Visit Knoxville, not the shop's page) and hours.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
Guided bike tours
Guided Urban Wilderness Mountain Bike Tours
Knoxville Outdoor Tours · 4h
Licensed local guides (active trail builders) run customized MTB tours across the Urban Wilderness, Baker Creek, Ijams, and Windrock, with Specialized Turbo Levo e-MTB rentals, mid-ride snacks, and photos included.
Where these are on the map Knoxville
Hotels Rentals & loaners · 3 of this destination's listings located · © OpenStreetMap contributors