Is there anything more beautiful than fall leaves? In the fleeting, but oh-so-welcome, window of time between the dog days of summer and the impending winter chill, fall is a season to be cherished. Not only do you have sweater weather, beloved holidays, football, and pumpkin spice everything, but the season is also praised for its autumn colors – turning from vibrant green into a spectacle of reds, oranges, and golds.
For Chattanooga, fall foliage really starts showing out in late October, and early November is considered peak leaf-peeping time. To make the most of this visually stunning season, check out our top 10 ways to experience fall foliage in the Scenic City.
1. Hit the Hiking Trails in Chattanooga
Chattanoogans know that one of the best ways to get that picture-perfect photo of the fall leaves requires a little effort. Ranging in length and difficulty, hiking trails abound in and around Chattanooga – in fact, there are more than 50 trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown.
A few favorites for taking in autumn’s colors include Signal Mountain’s Rainbow Lake Trail, Lula Lake Land Trust, Stringer’s Ridge, and Lookout Mountain’s Glen Falls Trail. If you don’t mind the drive, Georgia’s Cloudland Canyon State Park is home to popular trails like Overlook Trail, West Rim Loop Trail, and Waterfalls Trail that are simply spectacular when the weather cools.
2. Climb Aboard
The only thing more magical than fall colors is seeing them by rail. Passengers can board a vintage short-line train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad, located on Cromwell Road. Their most popular ride – the Missionary Ridge Local – lasts 65 minutes and takes passengers over four bridges and through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel. Another rail experience can be had at Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, one of the steepest passenger railways in the world. This ride takes passengers from St. Elmo to an observation deck atop Lookout Mountain, offering scenic views of the fall foliage along the way.
3. Take to the Skies
For a truly unique leaf-peeping perspective, try a bird’s-eye view. Several Chattanooga companies will help you take to the skies – but be warned, this is not for the faint of heart! At Chattanooga Skydiving Company, guests can experience the exhilarating thrill of freefall on a tandem skydiving excursion. Their aptly-named tandem skydiving experience, “Catch That Fall Feeling,” boasts the best view of fall leaves.
If hang-gliding or paragliding feels more like your speed, you’re in luck. The folks at Lookout Mountain Flight Park send guests soaring above the fall foliage in Lookout Valley on a tandem hang-gliding flight of 1,500 to 3,000 feet. With paragliding, guests will launch from a grassy slope on the side of the mountain and take in the autumn colors as they float peacefully in the chair-like harness.
4. Cruise the River
If you’re hoping to sit back and appreciate the autumn scenery via boat, you have options. The Southern Belle Riverboat offers fall foliage sightseeing and fall foliage lunch cruises through mid-November. These three-hour cruises highlight the beauty of the Tennessee River with live narration included.
Chattanooga Duck tours also run through mid-November and showcase views of Chattanooga’s downtown, riverfront, and Maclellan Island from the Tennessee River. This fun, narrated tour takes place on an authentic WWII Duck Boat and usually lasts around an hour.
5. See Rock City
One of Chattanooga’s most iconic attractions, Rock City, comes alive in the fall with an explosion of color. Here, guests can stroll the 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail featuring everything from caves and rock formations to a view of seven states at Lover’s Leap. Don’t forget to snap a photo on the 180-foot Swing-a-Long Bridge, which overlooks the Chattanooga Valley and all of its autumnal leaf color. Seasonal treats are always being served at dining locations across the gardens, so stop in and grab a bite – or a sip – before continuing your adventure.
6. Zip Through the Trees
Make unforgettable fall memories and experience the Scenic City’s changing leaves from the zip lines at High Point ZIP Adventure at Ruby Falls. With adrenaline-pumping ziplines and a 40-foot climbing tower, the ZIP Adventure offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see the kaleidoscope of colors whizz by. The operation is open daily during the fall through late November. Afterward, be sure to venture inside Ruby Falls – a can’t-miss Chattanooga attraction!
7. Ride a Bike
Viewing fall foliage by bike couldn’t be easier thanks to Bike Chattanooga, the city’s bicycle transit system. Locals and visitors alike can buy a pass to have access to bikes set up at 43 stations citywide. Chattanooga’s Riverwalk, Walnut Street Bridge, and MLK District are all great places to pedal without ever leaving town. Mountain bikers can take advantage of the trail systems at Walden’s Ridge Park, Raccoon Mountain, Stringer’s Ridge, and Enterprise South for miles of trails and beautiful surroundings to boot.
8. Plan a Picnic
Fall is peak picnicking season – the crisp temperatures, dappled sunlight, and rustling leaves provide an enchanting atmosphere no restaurant can imitate. When planning a picnic, you have two priorities: food and location. For sandwiches that travel well, check out local institutions like River Street Deli, Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy, and Rembrandt’s Coffee House. Additional picnic provisions (both cheesy and vegan!) can be found at Bleu Fox Cheese Shop, Frothy Monkey, and Cashew.
As for location, Chattanooga has plenty of beautiful picnicking spots. Most popular is Coolidge Park in the middle of Northshore, which offers great views of the surrounding fall foliage. Other popular picnic stops during the fall season include Stringer’s Ridge, Greenway Farms, and Falling Water Falls.
9. Rent a Kayak
This time of year, you can get your heart pumping and take in the fall colors by going on a kayaking adventure with family and friends. Fortunately, Chattanooga is home to many locales that rent out kayaks, from right downtown to Harrison Bay State Park. Whether you want to paddle the Tennessee River or Chickamauga Lake, popular rental companies include L2 Outside and River Canyon Adventure.
Even if you’re not an experienced kayaker, you can still get out on the water and enjoy our area’s most stunning fall foliage! If you’re not sure where to start, consider opting in for a guided tour, like the Fall Colors Kayak Tour from Chattanooga Guided Adventures.
10. Go for a Drive
If nothing else, load up your car and go for a scenic drive when the leaves start to change. Winding from Chattanooga to Gadsden, Alabama, the Lookout Mountain Parkway is a great place to start. This 93-mile journey has even been named one of the most scenic drives in America by Reader’s Digest! On the west side of Signal Mountain, you’ll find Taft Highway Lookout, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Be prepared to encounter curvy roads and gorgeous vistas. Finally, the 4.6-mile Reservoir Loop on Raccoon Mountain is sure to delight with views of the mountains and reservoir.
Sights to See in Chattanooga
Sometimes, the best way to take in the fall leaves is by heading to a beautiful overlook. Luckily, there’s no shortage of stunning sights to see in the Scenic City. From Lookout and Signal Mountain to just over the state border, check out these five locations for views of the fall colors.
Point Park
On top of Lookout Mountain, this 10-acre memorial park offers rich history and stunning fall views. Go for a walk around the park on its paved walkways and don’t forget to check out the Ochs Museum and Observatory for one of the most picturesque views of downtown Chattanooga. Point Park does charge an admission fee for adults over the age 16 at $10 per visitor.
Snoopers Rock
In Prentice Cooper State Park, just a 30-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga, visitors can take in the fall foliage at Snoopers Rock, featuring an expansive view of the Tennessee River Gorge. At less than a mile round trip, this stop is quick and easy to get to, and the view is hard to beat! Snoopers Rock closes occasionally for hunting, so make sure to check Prentice Cooper’s website before heading to the overlook.
Sunset Rock
One of the most iconic overlooks in Chattanooga, Sunset Rock sits atop Lookout Mountain with beautiful views of both downtown Chattanooga and Lookout Valley. This is another short trek, less than a mile out-and-back, and is a popular spot for picnics. For more of an adventure and different views of autumn colors, try hiking to Sunset Rock from Cravens House or Point Park.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Just over the Georgia state border lies Cloudland Canyon State Park, housing one of the most scenic fall views in the area. The Overlook Trail, a one-mile round trip path, takes guests along the rim of the canyon to the main overlook and to a secondary overlook, both perfect for viewing exceptional autumn colors. Cloudland Canyon also has 60 miles of hiking trails, 30 miles of biking trails, and a disc golf course for visitors to enjoy.
Signal Point
Back in Chattanooga and atop Signal Mountain, Signal Point offers a stunning view of fall foliage lining the Tennessee River. Once used as a key station for sending and receiving messages during the Civil War, Signal Point is now a popular overlook, picnicking spot, and hiking trail. Visitors can view the main overlook at just a short walk from the parking lot or opt for a 15-minute hike down to a secondary overlook.
Ali Lemmons, BS, Summa Cum Laude
Ali Lemmons is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a minor in computer science. While at UTC, Ali also earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, the Outstanding Senior Award for the communication department, and was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society. Now, as editor/digital content specialist for CMC Media & Marketing Group, Ali leads the ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia. She also is the lead copywriter for the company’s social media accounts. In her free time, Ali enjoys exploring Chattanooga’s many hiking trails and searching for the best burger in the city.
