Get Outside. It's Kind of Our Thing.

Tennessee Riverwalk

Chattanooga's signature greenway follows the south bank of the Tennessee River, linking downtown's riverfront parks with the Tennessee Riverpark and the Chickamauga Dam area, and connecting with the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway.

Distance

13 miAbout 13 miles of main path per TrailLink; some guides cite up to 16 miles depending on which segments are counted. Most visitors do a short out-and-back.

Time

Choose your distance — 30 minutes to a full day

Surface

Paved concrete

Trailhead

Ross's Landing (downtown)100 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Parking

Paid parking downtown near Ross's Landing. Free lots at Tennessee Riverpark and several trailheads east of downtown (see access points).

Families

Family-friendly. Flat, paved, and stroller-friendly. Watch for cyclists.

Sections can close for maintenance or high water. Check with Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga before a long ride.

Stringer's Ridge

A forested ridge right above the Northshore with overlooks of downtown and the river, preserved through a citizen-led effort.

Distance

7 miAbout 7 miles of natural-surface trail across a 92-acre urban wilderness park.

Time

1–2 hours

Surface

Natural path

Trailhead

Spears Avenue Trailhead (main)1312 Spears Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Parking

Main trailhead on Spears Ave has parking, restrooms, a bike repair station, and a pump track. Limited parking at the Bell Ave trailhead (787 W Bell Ave).

Families

Family-friendly. Shorter loops work for school-age kids; some climbs.

Sunset Rock via the Bluff Trail

A sandstone ledge on the west face of Lookout Mountain with one of the area's best sunset views over Lookout Valley.

Distance

4 miRoughly 2 miles each way from Point Park on the Bluff Trail. A much shorter, rocky path leads down from the small West Brow Rd lot.

Time

2–3 hours from Point Park

Surface

Rocky, with stone stairs

Trailhead

West Brow Rd lot (Sunset Rock)405 W Brow Rd, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350

Parking

Very limited parking at West Brow Rd (about 10 spaces; the Park Service asks visitors not to park on the street or in yards). Paid parking at Point Park.

Families

Better for experienced adults. Sheer drop-offs — keep children close.

Cliff edges with no railings. Point Park charges an entrance fee — check NPS for the current amount and hours.

Point Park Overlook

Civil War history and the classic view of Moccasin Bend and downtown from the top of Lookout Mountain. Open roughly 6 a.m. to sunset.

Distance

0.5 miShort paved and gravel paths inside the park.

Time

45–90 minutes

Surface

Paved and gravel

Trailhead

Point Park entrance110 Point Park Rd, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350

Parking

Paid parking near the park entrance. You can also ride the Incline Railway up and walk a few blocks.

Families

Family-friendly. Easy walking; supervise children near overlooks.

Entrance fee applies.

Lookout Mountain Bluff Trail

Hug the base of Lookout Mountain's upper cliffs past rock outcrops, springs, and views — with options to connect to Sunset Rock and Cravens House.

Distance

5 miAbout a 5-mile loop when combined with connecting trails; part of a 30+ mile trail network in the national military park.

Time

2.5–3.5 hours

Surface

Rocky natural path

Trailhead

Point Park110 Point Park Rd, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350

Parking

Paid parking at Point Park; limited parking at Cravens House and West Brow Rd.

Families

Better for experienced adults. Better for older kids and teens.

Check NPS alerts for trail closures before you go.

Some details are still being confirmed. Check the official source before you go.

Reflection Riding Trails

Gardens, meadows, and forest at the base of Lookout Mountain, run by a nonprofit nature center. Access is open to all; donations are welcome.

Distance

10 miAbout 10 miles of trails on campus that connect to National Park land leading up Lookout Mountain.

Time

1–3 hours

Surface

Natural path and gravel

Trailhead

Reflection Riding main lot400 Garden Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37419

Parking

Check in at the main parking lot for a visitor pass. Do not block the gate.

Families

Family-friendly. Gentle meadow and creekside loops; native wildlife exhibits.

Enterprise South Nature Park

A large wooded park northeast of downtown with trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and riders.

Distance

VariesPaved and natural-surface trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Check the park map for current mileage.

Time

1–3 hours

Surface

Paved and natural

Trailhead

Main entrance190 Still Hollow Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37416

Parking

Parking at the visitor center and trailheads inside the park.

Families

Family-friendly. Paved loops are good for bikes and strollers.

Some details are still being confirmed. Check the official source before you go.

South Chickamauga Creek Greenway

A creekside greenway through eastern Chattanooga and East Ridge with elevated boardwalks, overlooks, and a boat ramp.

Distance

12 miAbout 12 miles, connecting to the Tennessee Riverwalk at its northern end.

Time

1–4 hours

Surface

Paved, boardwalk, and some gravel

Trailhead

Amnicola Hwy connection3716 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406

Parking

All trailheads have free parking, per the City.

Families

Family-friendly. Boardwalks and interpretive signs; some rough sections.

Some sections are gravel and rough pavement.

Chickamauga Battlefield

Biking, walking, and scenic driving through Civil War history about 20 minutes south of downtown, in Georgia.

Distance

VariesPark roads and trails across the battlefield, part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park.

Time

1–3 hours

Surface

Paved roads and natural trails

Trailhead

Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center3370 Lafayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

Parking

Parking at the visitor center and pull-offs throughout the park.

Families

Family-friendly. Wide open fields and quiet park roads.

Some details are still being confirmed. Check the official source before you go.

Coolidge & Renaissance Parks

Easy riverside strolling with skyline views, connected to Downtown by the Walnut Street and Market Street bridges.

Distance

1 miAbout a mile of paved paths and boardwalk between the two Northshore riverfront parks.

Time

30–60 minutes

Surface

Paved and boardwalk

Trailhead

Coolidge Park150 River St, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Parking

Paid parking around Coolidge Park; or walk over the Walnut Street Bridge.

Families

Family-friendly. Stroller-friendly with a carousel at Coolidge Park.

Some details are still being confirmed. Check the official source before you go.

Paddling the Tennessee River

Kayaking and paddleboarding past the downtown skyline is one of Chattanooga's most memorable views. First-timers should book with a local outfitter for gear, guidance, and current river conditions.

Distance

VariesDistance depends on your launch and take-out.

Time

Varies

Surface

Open river

Trailhead

Ross's Landing riverfront100 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Parking

Paid parking downtown.

Families

Better for experienced adults. Kids should paddle with an experienced adult and a life jacket.

The river is shared with barges and boats, and current changes with dam releases. Always wear a life jacket and check conditions first.

Some details are still being confirmed. Check the official source before you go.