Quarries are the hidden gems of Knoxville, but which one best floats your boat?

It's time we stop thinking about "quarries" as a noun and more like a verb. Hanging out in quarries is an active lifestyle in Knoxville as the weather warms up, and the only problem is deciding which one is best for you.

Fortunately, a few of us here at Knox News enjoy a nice float between bringing you the top stories from Knoxville and across East Tennessee. We even have some occasional kayakers and paddleboarders, too.

But first, let's familiarize ourselves with the quarries Knoxville has to offer around downtown.

No, it's not called Fort Dickerson Quarry. It's actually Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park, and you can find parking at 550 Augusta Ave.

Then there is Mead's Quarry Lake at Ijams Nature Center, located at 3518 Island Home Pike.

TN River adventures: Knoxville Cycleboats’ new cruise and other river activities

Now, I know what you're thinking: Why not just visit both quarries? And you bring up a valid point.

However, there's a lot to consider before planning your visit. Do you have kids? What's your fitness level? And, perhaps most notably, are you in the mood to party or relax?

That's where "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast comes in handy. Growth and development editor Brenna McDermott and yours truly, downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz, lead this week's discussion to help you decide which quarry is best for you.

We also share our top tips to make your quarry adventure a fun and safe experience.

Just search for "The Scruffy Stuff" on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You also can listen in the podcast player, below!

The Scruffy Stuff: Listen and learn!

Subscribe to The Scruffy Stuff
iTunes | Google Play Music | Spotify

While Knox News is the best place to find the latest downtown news, "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast is the place to hear newsroom experts and guests push the conversation further.

Weekly episodes answer your burning questions about downtown Knoxville and cover a variety of topics, from business to lifestyle trends in the city's core — basically, anything and everything under the Sunsphere.

Episodes are released each Monday by downtown reporter and host Ryan Wilusz, along with visual journalist and producer Calvin Mattheis.

Growth and development editor Brenna McDermott is a frequent guest, along with other newsroom staff members whose specialties range from the University of Tennessee to local politics.

Have an idea? Want to be featured?

Between each episode, you can reach out to Ryan with feedback and your own questions about downtown Knoxville. The questions could become an episode, and your perspective might just be shared on the show.

Reach out to Ryan at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram @knoxscruff. You can also follow Knox News on Instagram @knoxvillephoto.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville quarries at Ijams, Fort Dickerson ready for kayaks, swimming