Complete Outdoor Travel Guide to Chattanooga

Outdoor Travel Guide to Chattanooga Tennessee

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Chattanooga is an adventure traveler’s dream destination. This city in Tennessee is located about two hours north of Atlanta and was voted “Best Adventure Town” by National Geographic Adventures. It’s not hard to see why! The town is jam-packed with outdoor activities that are bound to make any adventure lover smile; from rock climbing to hiking and mountain biking to white water rafting. Chattanooga is filled with natural attractions to check out while you’re there too, like Rock City, Ruby Falls and The Lost Sea.

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 The Town of Chattanooga

The name Chattanooga refers to a Muskogean word meaning rock rising to a point, which is believed to refer to Lookout Mountain.  Downtown Chattanooga is a great place to explore when you first arrive in town. Enjoy a visit to several great museums, an aquarium, or learn about the rich civil war and Native American history which goes back 10,000 years. One of the things I enjoyed was a  scenic walk along the beautiful Tennessee River and the pedestrian-only Walnut Street Bridge. This bridge is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges at 2376 feet. 

Chattanooga sits right on the Tennessee river and is only an hour from the Ocoee River. The Upper Ocoee was the site of the 1996 Olympic Course for whitewater canoe and kayak events. The Middle Ocoee is a popular spot for whitewater rafting, one of the busiest in the country! Moving on from the river and into the sky, Chattanooga is world-renowned for training hang gliding pilot hopefuls at the Lookout Mountain Flight Park & Training School. People from all over the world come here to learn, and the school graduates more pilots than any other school in the world. 

Attractions

Chattanooga is home to some truly unique natural attractions. There are endless trails to hikes, parks to explore, and landmarks to discover. Its location at the joining of the Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains gives it some unbelievable nature experiences right in town. Here are my can’t-miss picks:

Rock City Gardens

 A visit to Rock City Gardens is a must-do for anyone visiting the Chattanooga area. Rock City is located just minutes from the downtown core at the top of Lookout Mountain. Rock City features over 4000 feet of walking trails surrounded by spectacular natural landscapes and viewpoints. There’s a magnificent waterfall to discover at Lovers Leap, you will love the colorful underground at  the Fairyland Caverns, and  from the viewpoint at the top you will  See The 7 States view. From this lookout, you can see seven different states! Rock City is easily accessible from the city core, has free parking, and is welcoming to four-legged friends too.

Lovers Leap Waterfall – Rock City Gardens 

Ruby Falls

Another attraction you may want to visit in town is Ruby Falls, the tallest underground waterfall currently open to the public in the US. Here, you will descend 1120 feet underground by an elevator and explore the path throughout the caves until you reach the waterfall. The falls were accidentally discovered in 1928 within Lookout Mountain, and have been open to the public since 1929. Above ground, visitors can take in the panoramic views of the Cumberland Plateau and the Tennessee River from Lookout Mountain Tower. For the thrillseekers, Ruby Falls features over 700 feet of ziplining and a 40-foot climbing tower

The Lost Sea

This registered National Landmark is the second-largest underground lake in the world, next to Namibia’s Dragon’s Breath Cave. The lake has a visible surface area of around 4.5 acres and a total of 12 acres has been mapped underwater. The cavern system is part of a massive mave system and has been used readily over the centuries, from being used as a Native American meeting house, to a saltpeter mine during the civil war and later a moonshine bar. The caverns stay at a steady temperature of around 55 degrees. The super interesting part is that The Lost Sea Lake wasn’t discovered until the 1960s even though it was a known cavern for more than 100 years beforehand. You will hike 140 feet underground along the caves and take a boat ride on the underground lake while learning about the rich history surrounding the area. In the darkness of the lake you will meet the resident rainbow trout as well. The fish are not natural to the cave and have no food sources, surviving off fish food and installed lighting in the underground lake.

Fall Creek Falls

Hiking & Waterfalls

Visitors looking to explore nature and discover waterfalls by foot will find countless hiking options in and around the Chattanooga area. Locally, there are over 150 miles of public trails within 15 minutes of the city center. Hikers looking to get even further from the city can choose from the seemingly endless trails in the state parks surrounding the area. There are many of them within a couple of hour’s drive from Chattanooga.

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Fall Creek Falls State Park is located about an hour’s drive north of Chattanooga. This state park is one of the largest and most popular parks in Tennessee. Here, visitors are met with a variety of outdoor activities like boating, rock climbing, fishing, golf, swimming, a ropes course, lots of hiking, and more. Hikers will find over 56 miles of trails ranging from short walks to overnight routes. Visitors to the park will discover many gorges and cascading waterfalls throughout the park, including Fall Creek Falls, one of the tallest in the eastern USA. The park features plenty of overnight accommodation options, ranging from cabins, campgrounds, RV parks, and limited backcountry camping spots.

Fort Mountain State Park

Heading south into Georgia is Fort Mountain State Park which is easily accessible from Chattanooga in about an hour. Here, hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders will find beautiful trails through forests and thickets while circling a 17-acre lake. There are 25 miles of dedicated hiking trails ranging from one to five hours in length. In the summer months, visitors can cool off with a dip in the sand swimming beach or rent a paddleboat or kayak. In terms of accommodation, campers will find a variety of options, as well as 15 cabins available to rent.

Foster Falls

Located 45 minutes west of Chattanooga is Foster Falls Recreation Area, one of the most scenic areas in Tennessee. Foster Falls is a 60-foot waterfall that cascades into a deep pool. Visitors cans take a short hike to the top of the falls followed by a steeper hike downhill and into the gorge. Here, guests are met with a suspension bridge over the base of the falls. Foster Falls makes a great starting point for those looking to explore the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau with 26 campsites available

Foster Falls

Benton Mackaye Trail

The Benton Mackaye Trail spans almost 300 miles and stretches over North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The trail begins in Springer Mountain, Georgia, and ends in Davenport Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lower 200 miles see hikers traversing the western crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Though the trail has many access points, the most easily accessible one from Chattanooga is at Thunder Rock Campground, about an hour east of the city. The Benton Mackaye Trail is open for use year-round, so guests can enjoy the spectacular views and connect with nature all year long.

Cherokee National Forest

Heading northeast of Chattanooga is the Cherokee National Forest. Though the drive is a little far, it will be worth it for the endless hiking opportunities. Hikers here will be met with 600 miles of trail to discover, with routes ranging from quick day hikes to multi-day backpacking adventures. The trails throughout the Cherokee National Forest range from beginner to more advanced and challenging trails. Whatever your skill level, you will be immersed in true natural beauty as you hike along the Ocoee River.

Harrison Bay State Park

Harrison Bay State Park was Tennessee’s first designated state park in 1937. This wooded park is a short distance from Chattanooga; about 25 minutes north-east of the city. Harrison Bay is filled with activities ranging from golf, hiking, mountain biking, boating, and fishing. The park features a 4.5-mile trail that loops around which is perfect for running and hiking. There is a large RV campsite with water and electrical hookups for those looking to spend extended time in the park.

If you’re looking for more places to explore nearby Chattanooga you might be interested in: 

• Amicalola Falls State Park 
• Best Waterfalls in Georgia 

Climbing

Are you a climber looking to explore? You’ll be happy to know that Chattanooga is a mecca for climbers of all skill levels! In fact, there’s more rock to climb within a 25-mile radius of Chattanooga than there is in Boulder, Colorado. For those who may be new to climbing, there are three climbing gyms within the city and local guides who are more than willing to help newbies learn the ropes. Here are some of the best locations around Chattanooga for rock climbing.

Foster Falls

Foster Falls is one of the best climbing destinations in the Southeast with over 150 routes for climbers to choose from. The sandstone bluffs offer challenging routes more suited to advanced climbers, though beginner climbers have options as well. The south-facing cliff offers an abundance of sunshine to keep climbers warm for most of the day. The majority of climbs here fall within the 5.10+ range. Since Foster Falls is part of a recreation area, non-climbers will find plenty of other activities to keep them busy such as hiking and biking. For those looking to extend their stay in the park, there is a campground with 26 sites and plenty of camp amenities.

Sunset Rock

Sunset Rock within Sunset Park is located along the western side of Lookout Mountain, close to the core of Chattanooga. Climbers of all skill levels are welcomed here and are met with hard sandstone and incredible views overlooking the valley. The northwest facing cliff means visitors have a shady cover to offer a break from the sun in the hot summer months.

Cycling and Mountain Biking

If you are looking for adventure on two wheels, you’re bound to find it here in Chattanooga. Chattanooga is a truly bike-friendly destination. Over the past decade, Chattanooga has improved its status to become a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community and for those looking to get off the road, there are over 100 miles of mountain biking trails within 15 miles of downtown.

Since Chattanooga features mountains and different terrain, bikers of all skill levels will find a path or trail to suit their needs. The relatively flat paved pathways around the city are perfect for recreational cyclists and families looking for a way to keep active. Don’t have a bike? No problem! The Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System offers bikers 24/7 access to a shared bicycle network with 40 stations around the city. For those looking to amp up the adventure, mountain bikers will find endless trails surrounding the city to test their skills. Popular mountain biking destinations include Big Soddy Gulf and the Lookout Mountain Trails for beginners, to the White Oak Mountain Trails and Bauxite Ridge for more advanced bikers. 

Caverns

For those looking for more adventure underground, there are over 7000 caves to explore within an hour’s drive of Chattanooga. Caving is an especially great activity to consider on days where the weather isn’t cooperating. Here are some of the most popular caves to discover:

Cumberland Caverns

The Cumberland Caverns are located in McMinnville, about 70 miles north of Chattanooga, and feature more than 32 miles of caves and underground passageways. Here, guests can discover underground waterfalls, glistening pools, and spectacular rock formations on one of the daily walking tours. The Cumberland Caverns even feature overnight adventure trips for those looking to explore deeper into the caves.

Racoon Mountain Caverns

The Racoon Mountain Caverns are located just outside the core of Chattanooga and feature a campground and RV park. These caverns span over 5.5 miles underground and are considered to be the most geologically active caves in the south. Visitors to Racoon Mountain Caverns can explore the Crystal Palace on a guided walking tour and learn about the many different rock and mineral formations. If you are looking for something more adventurous, consider one of the Wild Cave Expedition tours, where guests can explore deeper and undeveloped parts of the caves.

Where to Stay

After a day filled with adventure, you are going to want somewhere comfy to rest and recharge. Luckily, Chattanooga has a variety of accommodations to suit any type of traveler. There is a wide range of hotels in the downtown core for those who prefer more traditional accommodation in the heart of the city. Choices range from the budget and family-friendly Holiday Inn to the more upscale Westin and Marriott.

For those looking to escape the city, there is an abundance of cabins amongst the woods for more rustic charm. Chattanooga also features many campgrounds and RV parks for those who want to be as close to nature and the outdoors as possible.

Go Explore Chattanooga!

It’s not hard to see why Chattanooga was rated “Best Town Ever” by Outside Magazine voters not once but twice! There are endless hiking and biking trails, countless waterfalls to discover, caves with underground lakes, and a variety of state parks all within a couple of hour’s drive of the city. Adventurers of all ages and skill levels will find activities to participate in and maybe learn a new skill too. With so many awe-inspiring sights and trails to discover around Chattanooga, all that’s left to decide is what to do first. So grab your hiking boots or bike and get ready for some serious adventure!

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