Augusta Quarry Changes
After an $11 million total investment by the City and its partners, Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park is reopening to the public on July 2, 2025.
The new floating swim platforms, bathrooms and changing room are in. The smooth, easy-to-navigate walkway has been installed. The overlook – with its dramatic view across Augusta Quarry – has been improved and expanded.
Check out this video, highlighting the most recent park improvements:
| KEY ADDITIONS TO THE QUARRY |
Key new additions that families will enjoy when they visit Augusta Quarry:
• Three bathrooms
• A changing room
• A vendor pavilion
• A water bottle refilling station
• An outdoor shower
• A smooth path connecting a 38-vehicle parking lot with the overlook, trailheads, the new buildings and the water’s edge
• A floating “beach” platform at the end of the walkway, lining the quarry lake’s southwestern edge, with ladders to help swimmers get in and out of the water
• A circular floating swim platform, also with swimmers’ ladders
• An expanded overlook
Stand-up paddleboards and inflatable tubes will be available for rent on site from River Sports Outfitters. Life vests will be provided free of charge.
Visitors can bring certain equipment that they own if it meets safety requirements: Personal stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and Type III personal flotation devices, such as life vests or life jackets.
(Other inflatable or disposable floats are not allowed.)
• Gates to the quarry will be opened at 7:45 a.m. daily, and staffing will be on site from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through October.
• The gates will be closed at 8 p.m.
• All Augusta Quarry rules remain in effect throughout the day, whether or not staff is present.
There are no lifeguards at Augusta Quarry, and jumping from the quarry walls continues to be prohibited.
Also, no alcohol, smoking, vaping, fires or grilling, glass containers, amplified music, or motorized vehicles are allowed.
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
Get complete details about food and drinks, pets, fishing, wildlife, where to park, and other information here!
What flotation devices can be rented on site?
Stand-up paddleboards and inflatable tubes will be available for rent on site from River Sports Outfitters.
Can people bring their own inflatables?
Personal stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and Type III Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), such as life jackets, are approved at this time. Other inflatable or disposable floats are not allowed. Allowing the use of certified personal flotation devices ensures the highest level of safety for users. Most life jackets are certified type III PFDs.
What food and drinks will be available for purchase on site?
The vending station will sell refrigerated non-alcoholic beverages and non-perishable snack items. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed or sold.
What are the hours?
Staffing will be on site from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily. Gates to the quarry will be opened at 7:45 a.m. every day for early risers. The gates will be closed at 8 p.m. All quarry rules remain in effect throughout the day whether or not vendor staffing are available. The quarry will be staffed through October unless otherwise noted.
Will Augusta Quarry be staffed?
River Sports Outfitters will be the on-site vendor for the 2025 season.
Ben Epperson will be the City’s Quarry Coordinator, providing training and oversight to staff, as well as serving as a single point of contact for all City departments and outside agencies. Fort Dickerson Park and Augusta Quarry are City-owned public park facilities.
What are the current rules for Augusta Quarry?
Rules in place at all City parks pertain to Augusta Quarry – plus, certain additional rules apply to Augusta Quarry due to its unique features. These include:
• No alcohol, drugs, vaping, or smoking
• No glass containers
• No grills or fires
• No jumping from quarry walls
• No amplified music
• No motorized vehicles
• No outside inflatable floats or toys; only Type III PFDs, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks are allowed
Are there lifeguards on duty?
There are no lifeguards on duty.
Which entrance should I use?
The best and quickest way to get to the water is by entering at Augusta Avenue and using the parking lot. The water is also accessible from the Overlook parking lot and using the marked trail system, approximately a 1.25-mile moderate level walking trail.
Is there an admission fee?
No. Admission to the Quarry and all parking areas are provided free of charge.
Are pets allowed?
Leashed pets are allowed. Leash laws are in effect in all City parks and public spaces. Please pick up after your pets.
Are there picnic tables or shade structures?
There are several picnic tables near the vending pavilion. At this time, there are no permanent shade structures. The edge of the quarry is shaded by tree canopies, and the south-facing quarry cliff provides shade in mid-afternoon.
Are there any programs offered by the City at the quarry?
At this time, there are no regularly scheduled programs at Augusta Quarry. There is the potential for future programs, such as yoga, paddling instruction, etc. The City is open to suggestions from visitors and residents for future programming possibilities.
How deep is the water?
At the water's edge, between the path and the floating dock, the water is approximately 0 to 3 feet deep. Beyond and below the floating docks, the water is anywhere from 20 to 200 feet deep.
What wildlife might I encounter?
Augusta Quarry is home to small fish, amphibians, dragonflies, pollinators, waterfowl, and non-venomous water snakes.
Is fishing allowed?
Fishing is not allowed during the height of swim season (May through September), due to the potential for conflicts between fishers and swimmers/tubers.
Augusta Quarry has transformed in just eight years from being a rough, inaccessible and uninviting back portion of a park to what it is now – a world-class family-friendly unique-to-Knoxville amenity.
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