🐾 Tails on Trails 2026: Hike to Save Pets
A Fall Morning Gathering
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 Baker Creek Preserve – Knoxville, TN
Tails on Trails is a fall morning of hiking, music, coffee, connection, and community—all coming together to help save pets through the Nomar & Mia Compassion Fund.
Whether you're hiking with your dog, honoring a pet who's touched your life, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend a beautiful October morning, you'll find a welcoming community of people who love animals and the outdoors.
This year we're intentionally creating a different kind of experience. Instead of a large vendor market, we're focusing on what people have told us they love most: the hike, the music, the conversations, the dogs, and the sense of community.
🌿 What to Expect
🥾Enjoy a scenic 3-mile community hike through Baker Creek Preserve. Designed for hikers, walkers, families, and dogs, we'll all share the same trail experience together.
🎶 Live acoustic music throughout the morning
☕ Fresh coffee, baked goods, and campfire-inspired treats
🔥 Gather around the fire, enjoy a s'more, and connect with fellow animal lovers
🎨 Paint a memory rock to carry on your hike or take home
🏆 Golden Paw Awards honoring local veterinary heroes
📸 Pet portraits
🐕 Dog-friendly atmosphere
❤️ Memory Wall honoring the pets who have touched our lives
💖 Why We Hike
Every dollar raised supports the Nomar & Mia Compassion Fund at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, helping pet families facing emergency veterinary expenses.
No one should have to choose between their pet's life and a vet bill.
The fund honors Mia and Nomar, two rescue cats whose lives continue to inspire this event and everyone who takes part in it.
🐾 Registration
Registration is donation-based. There's no required fee to participate, with a suggested donation of $25.
🌎 Not in Knoxville? Hike From Anywhere!
Join Tails on Trails from wherever you live by completing the same 3-mile hike in your own community on October 24. Hike your favorite trail, walk your neighborhood, bring your dog, or invite some friends and be part of Tails on Trails from wherever you are.
Whether you're joining us at Baker Creek or hiking from somewhere else, spend the morning helping save pets.
🗓️ Event Schedule
8:00 AM
☕ Morning Gathering Begins
Coffee • Music • Memory Rocks • Check-in
8:45 AM
🎤 Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:00 AM
🎶 Flute Reflection
9:10 AM
🥾 3-Mile Community Hike Begins
10:00 AM (or whenever the first hikers return)
☕ Music, Coffee & Community
Relax, enjoy coffee, visit with friends, paint memory rocks, meet the dogs.
10:30 AM
🐶 Circus Dog Showcase
10:50 AM
🏆 Golden Paw Awards
11:10 AM
👋 Closing Gathering & Group Photo
11:30 AM
Event concludes
Registration fees
Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.
3-Mile Hike – Knoxville
Join us at Baker Creek Preserve in Knoxville for the official Tails on Trails 3-mile community hike! Bring your dog, hike with friends, or come on your own and spend a fall morning helping save pets. Registration is donation-based. There's no required fee to participate, but every donation supports the Nomar & Mia Compassion Fund and helps pet families facing emergency veterinary expenses. Come early and enjoy live acoustic music, coffee, s'mores, dogs, and community before we hit the trail together.
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Register for 3-Mile Hike – Knoxville
No required fee • Donations encouraged
3-Mile Hike From Anywhere
Can't join us in Knoxville? Hike to save pets from wherever you are! On October 24, take a hike or walk in your own community and be part of Tails on Trails from anywhere. Hike your favorite trail, walk through your neighborhood, bring your dog, invite some friends, or head out on your own. We'll all be hiking 3 miles together—whether you're at Baker Creek in Knoxville or joining us from somewhere else. Registration is donation-based, just like our Knoxville hike. There's no required fee to participate, but every donation supports the Nomar & Mia Compassion Fund and helps pet families facing emergency veterinary expenses. We'll also invite you to share a photo from your hike so we can show our Tails on Trails community taking part from wherever they are.
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Register for 3-Mile Hike From Anywhere
No required fee • Donations encouraged
Event schedule
- Sat, October 24, 2026 8:00 AM - ☕ Morning Gathering Begins - Coffee • Music • Memory Rocks • Check-in
- Sat, October 24, 2026 8:45 AM - 🎤 Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Sat, October 24, 2026 9:00 AM - 🎶 Flute Reflection
- Sat, October 24, 2026 9:00 AM - 🥾 3-Mile Community Hike Begins
- Sat, October 24, 2026 10:15 AM - ☕ Music, Coffee & Community Relax, enjoy coffee, visit with friends, paint memory rocks, meet the do
- Sat, October 24, 2026 10:30 AM - 🐶 Circus Dog Showcase
- Sat, October 24, 2026 10:50 AM - 🏆 Golden Paw Awards
- Sat, October 24, 2026 11:10 AM - 👋 Closing Gathering & Group Photo
- Sat, October 24, 2026 11:30 AM - Event concludes
Contact information
- Event contact
- Scott Colby
- Website
- Visit website
