With such pristine natural beauty everywhere you turn, it’s no wonder that the city of Chattanooga, along with the surrounding counties, offers an impressive array of parks and recreation options. Whether you are looking for a small neighborhood park to take a lunchtime stroll, or you’re in the market for something a little more adventurous, there is a perfect park for you.

State & National Parks

Perhaps one of the area’s most notable amenities is the number of state and national parks located in and around the city. Harrison Bay State Park, located on Lake Chickamauga, spans 1,200 acres, and Booker T. Washington State Park provides 353 acres to explore. Nearby, Apison is home to the 263-acre Red Clay State Historic Park and Blue Hole Spring, and to the southwest Cloudland Canyon State Park features a total of 3,500 acres and is ideal for hiking and cave tours. 

A short drive away is Prentice Cooper State Forest with its 25,000 acres. Another outdoor expanse, South Cumberland State Park is located in Grundy, Franklin, Marion, and Sequatchie counties and offers plenty of options for hiking, backpacking, and climbing in its 30,845 acres. 

Rounding out the list of local protected parks is the 10,000-acre Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. 

Segmented into four different sites, this national park is comprised of Chickamauga Battlefield, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain Battlefield/Point Park, along with Moccasin Bend. Together, these four sites feature tens of miles of trails along with access for other activities such as biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and paddling. 

Downtown River Parks

For those looking to stay near the hustle and bustle of the Scenic City, there are still a variety of options. A local favorite, Coolidge Park features everything from a carousel and play fountain to a rock climbing wall and plenty of open green space. Bordering Coolidge Park is Renaissance Park, a 23-acre urban wetland park complete with an amphitheater, pavilion, and public art. 

From these two parks located in the Northshore, the Walnut Street Bridge takes residents and visitors across the river where they can access other notable parks such as Aquarium Plaza and Ross’s Landing. These parks provide unparalleled views of the Tennessee River and all are accessible by the Tennessee Riverwalk, a 13-mile continuous paved pathway that stretches from the Chickamauga Dam out to the community of St. Elmo. 

Community Parks

In addition to popular parks that span the Riverfront, nearly every neighborhood throughout Chattanooga has a community offering where visitors can enjoy everything from dog parks to disc golf. Often smaller in scale, the majority of these parks offer playgrounds and pavilions and are a great spot to spend some casual time outdoors.

Additional Parks & Greenways

If you’re looking for something in-between the area’s quaint neighborhood parks and a protected state forest, there are still plenty of options. 

The North and South Chickamauga Greenways offer miles of both paved and dirt trails. Enterprise South Nature Park provides miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails, while Chester Frost Park accommodates fishers, paddlers, and campers with its extensive facilities. Wolftever Creek Greenway is another local favorite and features picnic areas, a paved trail, playground, and dog park. 

Regardless of where you are or what you’re looking for, there is sure to be a recreation opportunity a short drive away.