Biking
Raccoon Mountain is Chattanooga’s signature mountain bike destination, with 30 miles of cross-country trails just 15 minutes from downtown. It’s rocky, rooty, and oh-so-very flowy. Ride the Top Loop, which combines several trails and starts at the East Overlook. Pedal in a clockwise direction for 13 miles for great views of the Tennessee River Gorge and a solid introduction to the sort of technical riding that Raccoon offers.
Chattanooga has been awarded as a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, thanks to the city’s commitment to bike infrastructure. That includes more than 100 miles of singletrack, 75 miles of bike lanes and paved paths, and a transit system with rentable cruiser bikes and electric bikes at 40 stations throughout downtown.
Located inside the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Battlefield, the six-mile Chickamauga Battlefield Loop is a paved road that meanders through gently rolling pastures, forests, and restored Civil War era homesteads. The roads are open to cars, but speed limits are slow on the loop, and you can explore other low-traffic roads within the park to double your mileage.
Dubbed by locals as the “Riverwalk,” the Tennessee Riverpark is a paved, urban greenway that runs for 13 miles from the Chickamauga Dam to the St. Elmo neighborhood and passes through downtown Chattanooga. It’s a casual pedal that connects neighborhoods, parks, restaurants, and museums along the broad Tennessee River. Access it via a variety of trailheads, and tack on more mileage by connecting with the South Chickamauga Creek Trail, which offers another 13 miles of paved trail and boardwalks from the Tennessee River to Camp Jordan.
Maclellan Island
You can see green and wild Maclellan Island from downtown Chattanooga, but the only way to reach this 19-acre wildlife sanctuary is by boat. Maclellan was once the home of a Cherokee settlement, then an anchor-point for a cable ferry, before becoming farmland. Today, it’s preserved by the Chattanooga Audubon Society and home to herons and otters—and the occasional paddler and camper who reserves a site.
With more than 10 miles of purpose-built singletrack on the side of Signal Mountain, Walden’s Ridge is the first progressive, downhill trail system in Chattanooga. There’s something for all levels at this 200-acre park just 10 minutes from downtown. Check out Biscuits and Gravy and Bread and Butter for long flow and approachable technical features. If you want to step up to a double black diamond, Dale Bermhardt into Bullwinkle is your jam. Check out these trails and more on Trailforks.
Main Riverwalk
THE CHATTANOOGA ADVENTURE MAP
America’s First National Park City
What does it mean to be a National Park City? The designation celebrates communities that prioritize their natural resources and access to the outdoors for residents and visitors alike, making nature an integral part of daily life. In 2025, Chattanooga was recognized as North America’s first National Park City, and is one of only a handful of such cities worldwide.
So what does a National Park City look like? In Chattanooga, it looks like a downtown that is vibrant and full of economic momentum, but also a place where you can paddle a kayak or run a half marathon on a paved trail. It looks like neighborhood streets that lead to singletrack and climbing crags, and a park that combines art with fitness.
Brian Smith, Communications director for Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors.
“Chattanooga has unrivaled access to nature. We have a culture of outdoor adventure and an emphasis on sustainable development. We’re proud of what we’ve done, but this is only the beginning. Chattanooga is going to continue to advance, protect, and evolve our green spaces.”
COMMUNITY
Becoming a National Park City doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of hard work by people who care for and advocate for the outdoors. These community organizations play a key role in sustaining Chattanooga’s pioneering adventure and conservation spirit, and are great resources for visitors and residents alike.
SORBA Chattanooga
As a local advocacy organization for mountain biking, SORBA Chattanooga is focused on building a better community through trails. That means constructing and stewarding more than 100 miles of multi-use trails surrounding Chattanooga, and organizing volunteer workdays and events all year long.
The Tennessee River
The mellow Tennessee River is at the heart of outdoor adventure in Chattanooga, as it has carved the gorges that surround the city, creating a landscape that’s rich with adventure opportunities. Get a taste on a short paddle, or consider a multi-day excursion from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam and spend the night at 450-acre Williams Island (free campsites available).
Renaissance Park and Coolidge Park
These twin parks sit side by side in the middle of downtown, serving up natural refuges within walking distance of Chattanooga’s shops and restaurants. Renaissance Park offers quiet paths throughout its 23 acres, and is also known for “Cardboard Hill,” a steep slope where you can slide down the grass on large pieces of cardboard. Next door, Coolidge Park features big, open grass fields and a small stage for festivals and events, as well as kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Stringers Ridge
This is a great example of the city’s widespread support for conservation. The Chattanooga community rallied to preserve this large tract of forest, which was one of the last undeveloped tracts of land within the city limits. Now Stringers Ridge is a 92-acre urban forest with more than seven miles of multi-use trails for pedestrians and mountain bikers.
The Tennessee Riverpark
You don’t have to get in the water to experience the Tennessee River. The Riverpark is a 13-mile long paved path running through the heart of Chattanooga’s urban cityscape, connecting the town’s historic neighborhoods with parks and business districts along its route. With bike stations, boat launches, and fishing piers, it integrates the best of Chattanooga outdoors.
Outdoor Chattanooga
A division of the city’s parks and outdoors department, Outdoor Chattanooga works tirelessly to connect people with Chattanooga’s green spaces through planning, programs, and events.
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Climbing opportunities have blossomed in Chattanooga, and you can thank the Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) for helping. The SCC focuses on the area’s sandstone cliffs, working hard to preserve climbing areas—and access—not just in Chattanooga, but the entire Southeast.
Where to find your flavor of outdoor fun in America’s first National Park City.
South Chickamauga Creek Greenway
Play Trail
Map
By Graham Averill
BIKING
HIKING
ADVENTURE
CLIMBING
ARTS
FOOD & DRINK
America'S First
Stringer’s Ridge isn’t large—just 92 acres—but its location, in Chattanooga’s North Shore neighborhood overlooking the downtown waterfront, makes it a primo destination for quick in-town hikes or trail runs. With seven miles of well-groomed singletrack trail, it’s a great example of why Chattanooga is known for blending outdoor and urban living.
The 6,000-acre state park protects the steep and narrow North Chickamauga Creek as it makes its way to the Tennessee River. The park is full of sandstone bluffs, old growth forest, and cascading waterfalls. Hike the one-mile Blue Hole Trail to a picture-perfect swimming hole.
This 10-mile loop inside Prentice Cooper State Forest is like a highlight reel of Chattanooga hiking. It meanders through a forest thick with wildflowers in the spring, rock hops across creeks, and traverses a plateau above the Tennessee River. There, you’ll find Snooper’s Rock, an outcropping with a view of a dramatic bend in the Tennessee River, and pass by Indian Rockhouse, a large, natural rock shelter.
The Tennessee River carves a dramatic gorge as it makes its way around Chattanooga, and Edward’s Point, a rocky outcropping hanging over the edge of the gorge, offers one of the best views of the river. There are multiple trails that reach Edward’s Point, but the quickest is a 1.9-mile section of the Cumberland Trail from Rainbow Lake.
Hiking
Lookout Mountain, a 20-mile long plateau hovering over picturesque farmland, would be a landmark even if it was just part of the scenery. But it’s also home of the Lookout Mountain Flight Park, a hang-gliding school and guiding business where you can learn to soar with the birds. Start with a tandem flight and a pro instructor will help you glide 3,000 feet above the valley floor.
Fun fact: Tennessee has the most known caves of any state in the U.S., with most of those caverns located beneath the surface of East Tennessee—many of them surround Chattanooga. Raccoon Mountain Caverns is a great place to begin your spelunking career, with more than five miles of passages to explore. There are multiple guided adventures to choose from, but the Waterfall Dome Expedition is the most immersive, with tunnels and slot canyons to explore (sometimes while crawling).
The Ocoee River is famous for being the site of the slalom competition during the 1996 Olympics, but you don’t have to be an Olympian to enjoy this river. Visitors of all skill levels can enjoy the Ocoee’s signature wave trains, drops, and big pillows. For a half-day adventure, raft the Middle Ocoee for five miles of class III rapids. If you want a bigger adventure, combine the Middle and Upper Ocoee for a full day of class III-IV rapids as well as the Olympic whitewater slalom course.
The Tennessee River Blueway runs between Chickamauga Dam and Nickajack Dam, offering 45 miles of placid, flatwater paddling surrounding Chattanooga. For an in-town adventure, pick up a kayak or paddleboard at L2 Outside, at Coolidge Park, and paddle along the downtown waterfront, cruising under the city’s scenic bridges while heading upstream to float along the sandstone bluffs of the Bluff View Art District.
Adventure
Located inside Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park, the sandstone cliff known as Sunset Rock played a role in the Civil War battles that raged around Chattanooga. Today, Sunset Rock plays an important role in the South’s climbing scene, as one of the best destinations for single-pitch trad climbing as well as bouldering. Bonus: The views from the wall of the Tennessee River below are outstanding.
Tennessee Wall is one of the premier traditional climbing crags in the country, with hundreds of single-pitch routes traversing bulletproof sandstone. The south-facing nature of the cliff makes it an ideal winter destination, but show up early in the morning before the sun gets high in the sky and you can climb through summer. Beginners and hardcore senders alike will find something here, with routes from 5.5 to 5.13.
The sandstone cliffs that line the Tennessee River Gorge get a lot of attention (for good reason), but pebble wrestlers have plenty of options too. Take your crash pad to the Bouldering Park at Old Wauhatchie Pike, where dozens of sandstone boulders offer more than 80 different problems, from
V0 to V8.
Climbing
Every whiskey fan should visit Chattanooga’s first legal distillery in more than 100 years. Chattanooga Whiskey specializes in bourbon and Tennessee High Malt whiskey, and is a great place to savor a post-adventure evening.
Breakfast and lunch is served Southern style at Bluegrass Grill—try the Glorious Grits with bacon or avocado—but you’ll also find delicious vegan options. The family-owned restaurant bakes bread fresh daily.
Want something a little more casual and still super flavorful? Head to Taco Mamacita for inventive tacos served on a lively patio at two Chattanooga locations (North Shore and Hamilton Place).
This downtown staple has been on the Chattanooga culinary map for a decade, crafting the finest quality seafood, steaks and local produce into refined, southern dishes.
You have to be doing something right to get noticed by Michelin. At Little Coyote, chef Erik Niel is getting plenty of attention for his wood-fired BBQ, house-made tortillas, and great atmosphere.
Food & Drink
In this one-of-a-kind public park, art isn’t just for looking at, it’s built to inspire movement. Chattanooga has transformed an empty lot at the end of Main Street into an urban fitness art park, where art installations double as fitness equipment. An exercise track around the 1.72-acre park also features haikus inscribed into bricks at 50-meter intervals.
Located in Ross Landing, in downtown’s riverfront, the Passage is a pedestrian walkway that marks the beginning of the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee tribes from Chattanooga to Oklahoma. It’s a permanent exhibit with several features, including a “weeping wall” and seven ceramic disks that tell the history of the Cherokee nation in the Southeast.
Meander through the 33 acres of open space and contemplate the 50 large-scale sculptures scattered throughout the property in Chattanooga’s Southside neighborhood. The Sculpture Fields is the largest sculpture park in the Southeast, with 1.5 miles of trail to explore amongst the world-class installations. On your walk, you’ll find everything from colorful interpretations of a tree to towering steel structures with an aged patina.
Arts
Tennessee Riverpark
Chickamauga Battlefield Loop
Raccoon Mountain
Walden's Ridge Park
BIKING
HIKING
ADVENTURE
CLIMBING
ARTS
FOOD & DRINK
Wine Over Water
This juried art show is considered one of the best art festivals in the country, with work from hundreds of top artists who converge on Chattanooga (April 17-19).
This juried art show is considered one of the best art festivals in the country, with work from hundreds of top artists who converge on Chattanooga (April 17-19).
IBMA Bluegrass Live!
This two-day festival showcases live performances by top bluegrass artists across several stages in downtown Chattanooga (October 23-24, 2026).
The Chattanooga Market
Get hyperlocal at this public market, held downtown every Sunday. It’s the largest producer-only marketplace in the region, where you can purchase produce, food, and arts.
Verre Noir Night Market
Come enjoy food trucks, live performances, and interactive experiences. Chattanooga’s North Shore neighborhood hosts a monthly celebration of art, mysticism, and community.
Stringer's Ridge Park
North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park
Mullens Cove Loop
Rainbow Lake to Edward’s Point
Launch Off Lookout Mountain Flight Park
Caving Raccoon Mountain Caverns
Raft the Ocoee River
Paddle the Tennessee River
Climb Sunset Rock
Climb Tennessee Wall
Wrestle the Wauhatchie Boulders
Wine Over Water
Main Terrain Art Park
The Passage
Sculpture Fields at Montague
Bluegrass Grill
Taco Mamacita
Public House
Little Coyote
The World of Bluegrass Bluegrass Live!
The Chattanooga Market
Verre Noir Night Market
Chattanooga Whiskey
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringer's
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringers
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringers
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringer's
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringer's
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringer's
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringer's
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
NATIONAL PARK CITY
Play Trail
Main Riverwalk
South Chickamauga Creek Greenway
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringers
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Maclellan Island
Renaissance Park and Coolidge Park
Stringers Ridge
Tennessee Riverpark
Tennessee River
Maclellan Island
You can see green and wild Maclellan Island from downtown Chattanooga, but the only way to reach this 19-acre wildlife sanctuary is by boat. Maclellan was once the home of a Cherokee settlement, then an anchor-point for a cable ferry, before becoming farmland. Today, it’s preserved by the Chattanooga Audubon Society and home to herons and otters—and the occasional paddler and camper who reserves a site.
Renaissance Park and Coolidge Park
These twin parks sit side by side in the middle of downtown, serving up natural refuges within walking distance of Chattanooga’s shops and restaurants. Renaissance Park offers quiet paths throughout its 23 acres, and is also known for “Cardboard Hill,” a steep slope where you can slide down the grass on large pieces of cardboard. Next door, Coolidge Park features big, open grass fields and a small stage for festivals and events, as well as kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Stringers Ridge
This is a great example of the city’s widespread support for conservation. The Chattanooga community rallied to preserve this large tract of forest, which was one of the last undeveloped tracts of land within the city limits. Now Stringers Ridge is a 92-acre urban forest with more than seven miles of multi-use trails for pedestrians and mountain bikers.
The Tennessee Riverpark
You don’t have to get in the water to experience the Tennessee River. The Riverpark is a 13-mile long paved path running through the heart of Chattanooga’s urban cityscape, connecting the town’s historic neighborhoods with parks and business districts along its route. With bike stations, boat launches, and fishing piers, it integrates the best of Chattanooga outdoors.
The Tennessee River
The mellow Tennessee River is at the heart of outdoor adventure in Chattanooga, as it has carved the gorges that surround the city, creating a landscape that’s rich with adventure opportunities. Get a taste on a short paddle, or consider a multi-day excursion from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam and spend the night at 450-acre Williams Island (free campsites available).
America’s First National Park City
What does it mean to be a National Park City? The designation celebrates communities that prioritize their natural resources and access to the outdoors for residents and visitors alike, making nature an integral part of daily life. In 2025, Chattanooga was recognized as North America’s first National Park City, and is one of only a handful of such cities worldwide.
So what does a National Park City look like? In Chattanooga, it looks like a downtown that is vibrant and full of economic momentum, but also a place where you can paddle a kayak or run a half marathon on a paved trail. It looks like neighborhood streets that lead to singletrack and climbing crags, and a park that combines art with fitness.
Chickamauga Battlefield Loop
Tennessee
Riverpark
Raccoon
Mountain
Walden's
Ridge Park
Bike Town
Mullens
Cove Loop
National Park City
Stringer’s Ridge Park
North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park
Rainbow Lake to Edward’s Point
Paddle the Tennessee River
Raft the Ocoee River
Caving Raccoon Mountain Caverns
Launch Off Lookout Mountain Flight Park
Wrestle the Wauhatchie Boulders
Climb Tennessee Wall
Climb Sunset Rock
Sculpture Fields at Montague
The Passage
Main Terrain Art Park
Get Festive
Little Coyote
Public House
Taco Mamacita
Bluegrass Grill
Chattanooga Whiskey
Play Trail
Main Riverwalk
South Chickamauga Creek Greenway
Tennessee River
Chickamauga
Lake
North
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Valley
Lookout
Mountain
Stringer's
Ridge
Signal
Mountain
Raccoon
Mountain
Maclellan Island
Renaissance Park and Coolidge Park
Stringer's Ridge
Tennessee Riverpark
Tennessee River
Maclellan Island
You can see green and wild Maclellan Island from downtown Chattanooga, but the only way to reach this 19-acre wildlife sanctuary is by boat. Maclellan was once the home of a Cherokee settlement, then an anchor-point for a cable ferry, before becoming farmland. Today, it’s preserved by the Chattanooga Audubon Society and home to herons and otters—and the occasional paddler and camper who reserves a site.
Renaissance Park and Coolidge Park
These twin parks sit side by side in the middle of downtown, serving up natural refuges within walking distance of Chattanooga’s shops and restaurants. Renaissance Park offers quiet paths throughout its 23 acres, and is also known for “Cardboard Hill,” a steep slope where you can slide down the grass on large pieces of cardboard. Next door, Coolidge Park features big, open grass fields and a small stage for festivals and events, as well as kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Stringer's Ridge
This is a great example of the city’s widespread support for conservation. The Chattanooga community rallied to preserve this large tract of forest, which was one of the last undeveloped tracts of land within the city limits. Now Stringer's Ridge is a 92-acre urban forest with more than seven miles of multi-use trails for pedestrians and mountain bikers.
The Tennessee Riverpark
You don’t have to get in the water to experience the Tennessee River. The Riverpark is a 13-mile long paved path running through the heart of Chattanooga’s urban cityscape, connecting the town’s historic neighborhoods with parks and business districts along its route. With bike stations, boat launches, and fishing piers, it integrates the best of Chattanooga outdoors.
The Tennessee River
The mellow Tennessee River is at the heart of outdoor adventure in Chattanooga, as it has carved the gorges that surround the city, creating a landscape that’s rich with adventure opportunities. Get a taste on a short paddle, or consider a multi-day excursion from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam and spend the night at 450-acre Williams Island (free campsites available).
What does it mean to be a National Park City? The designation celebrates communities that prioritize their natural resources and access to the outdoors for residents and visitors alike, making nature an integral part of daily life. In 2025, Chattanooga was recognized as North America’s first National Park City, and is one of only a handful of such cities worldwide.
So what does a National Park City look like? In Chattanooga, it looks like a downtown that is vibrant and full of economic momentum, but also a place where you can paddle a kayak or run a half marathon on a paved trail. It looks like neighborhood streets that lead to singletrack and climbing crags, and a park that combines art with fitness.
Tennessee River
Tennessee Riverpark
Stringers Ridge
Renaissance Park and Coolidge Park
Maclellan Island
America’s First National Park City
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Celebrate art, music, and local food at one of Chattanooga’s much-loved festivals. Here are four to put on the calendar.
Explore the bike map!
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