Outdoors + Recreation
Chatt Choices™
High Point Climbing & Fitness
Stargazing in Chattanooga
Paddling the Scenic Waterways
Options Abound for Nature Lovers and Thrill Seekers Alike
Chattanooga has long been recognized as a premier outdoor destination, twice receiving the title of “Best Town Ever” from Outside magazine. Adding to its reputation, the Scenic City made history in 2025 when it was named the first National Park City in North America – a recognition that celebrates its commitment to conserving green spaces and supporting a healthier standard ofuliving. With opportunities to bike, climb, hike, hunt, or paddle along the river, Chattanooga truly offers something for every explorer.
PARKS & GREENWAYS
Spanning more than 50,000 acres of canyons, caves, mountains, and waterways, the Chattanooga region offers endless natural beauty, and the city is committed to preserving and expanding its parks and greenways. In early 2025, the city began work on a new greenway for bikes and pedestrians that connects Northshore to a portion of Moccasin Bend. Nearby, the city of Red Bank was awarded a $400,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Health to develop a new multiuse trail system across 19 acres of land.
Offering 16 miles of paved walkway for walking, running, and biking, the Tennessee Riverwalk starts at TVA’s Chickamauga Dam and stretches through downtown and into St. Elmo, previously earning a spot on Fodor’s Travel’s list of “The 15 Best River Walks in the USA.” More popular greenways can be found at Enterprise South Nature Park, North Chickamauga Creek, and South Chickamauga Creek. The Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Plan, launched in 2023, plans to build 16 miles of greenway trails, seven neighborhood parks, and four community facilities in the short-term future.
Just an hour east of Chattanooga, Ocoee River State Park became Tennessee’s newest state park in 2025, offering access to over 17 miles of the river. Other parks loved by locals include Harrison Bay, Cumberland Trail State Park, South Cumberland State Park, and Prentice Cooper State Forest, perfect for boating, camping, climbing, hiking, fishing, and birding.
HIKING & MOUNTAIN BIKING
With more than 50 trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown, Chattanooga offers an abundance of trails for hiking and biking at all skill levels, including popular options like the Rivers to Clouds Route, Raccoon Mountain Reservoir Loop, Guild-Hardy Trail, and Stringer’s Ridge.
For those in search of a view, Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain, Edward’s Point on Signal Mountain, and Snooper’s Rock at Prentice Cooper State Forest feature stunning overlooks. Chattanooga also offers an abundance of waterfalls, including Glen Falls, Rainbow Falls, Lula Falls, and Falling Water Falls. Hemlock and Cherokee Falls can be found in Cloudland Canyon State Park, just over the Tennessee-Georgia border.
As for mountain biking, popular trails include Walden’s Ridge Park on the side of Signal Mountain, the Guild-Hardy trails, and Raccoon Mountain. Currently fundraising for Phase II of Aetna Mountain Trails, the Tennessee River Gorge plans to offer more than 10 miles of high-quality, single-track trails upon the project’s completion.
ROCK CLIMBING, CAVING, & DEEP WATER SOLING
Thanks to the area’s sandstone rock formations, Chattanooga is also a premier destination for rock climbing, with the city previously recognized on Outside magazine’s list of “The Five Best Climber-Friendly Cities.” Natural settings for climbing include “The Boulders” on Old Wauhatchie Pike, Walden’s Ridge Park on Signal Mountain, and the Tennessee Wall in Prentice Cooper State Forest.
Chattanooga also offers a variety of festivals and competitions for the climbing community, including the Wauhatchie BoulderFest, an open-to-all climbing day at the foot of Lookout Mountain; the Triple Crown Bouldering Series competition, hosted at Soddy-Daisy’s Stone Fort (also called Little Rock City); and Rox Fest, a festival held at the same location. Deep water soloing can be enjoyed at Nickajack Lake, Foster Falls, and Tellico Lake.
Located in the TAG region (Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia), Chattanooga offers more than 7,000 caves within 60 miles of downtown. With natural caves, like Pettyjohn’s Cave in Georgia, and commercial caves, like Raccoon Mountain Caverns, caving adventures can be found for all skill levels.
WATER & AIR ADVENTURES
Located near the Tennessee River, Harrison Bay, and Chickamauga Lake, Chattanooga is a hot spot for water activities. In fact, in 2025, Chickamauga Lake was recognized as one of the “18 Best Fishing Lakes in the U.S.” by FishingBooker. The Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers, located just northeast of Chattanooga, are popular spots for kayaking and whitewater rafting adventures. For those who wish to take to the skies, businesses such as Lookout Mountain Flight Park and Chattanooga Skydiving Company offer paragliding, hang gliding, skydiving, and more.
