Students walk on either side of a residential street up a hill.

Protecting the Project: How Geography Shaped America’s Secret City [Oak Ridge, TN]

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

  • May 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM
  • Free

When the Army Corps of Engineers was scouting for locations to build the infrastructure for the atomic bombs, the ridge and valley topography of this area made a compelling case. Join rangers on a healthy hike through the history (and hills) that built Oak Ridge. 

Route: 2 mile loop on the North Ridge Trail. Trail surfaces vary between paved sidewalk between Visitor Center & trailheads to dirt trails with tripping hazards. Trail has significant elevation changes (875' to 1200' elevation) with sections of both uphill and downhills on unpaved surfaces. 

About the North Ridge Trail: Part of the 80+ miles of greenways in Oak Ridge, the North Ridge Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1973. This trail runs along the northwestern boundary of Oak Ridge for 7.7 miles with over 2.5 miles of ancillary trails. The full trail is difficult with over 1850' cumulative climb.  

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

461 W Outer Drive, Oak Ridge, Tennessee Hike leaves from the park's Visitor Center.

Latitude and Longitude 36.023007, -84.271783

Schedule

Date:

May 9, 2026

Time:

11:00 AM

Duration:

2 hours

Event Type

  • Hike