Trails and easy strolls
Trails, paved paths and creek walks — from a ten-minute stroll to a proper hike.
Admission not posted — check Chattanooga Audubon Society
Audubon Acres
130 acres of prime birdwatching and bird photography along South Chickamauga Creek, with over 5 miles of trails and a Cherokee arboretum.
5+ miles of trails through woodlands, open fields and wetlands along South Chickamauga …
Free2.4 miles from Soddy-Daisy
Big Soddy Creek Gulf
Creek-side trail and swimming holes in a wooded gorge — trout fishing and wildlife viewing.
The overlook near the parking area gives a view down into the gorge without walking the…
Free
Prentice Cooper State Forest — Ritchie Hollow Trail
A 30-foot waterfall in Prentice Cooper State Forest, reached by a moderately strenuous loop on the Ritchie Hollow Trail.
A real hike - about 5.4 miles round trip on the Ritchie Hollow Trail, over 1,200 feet o…
Free
Cloudland Canyon State Park
A dramatic canyon on Lookout Mountain with two named waterfalls — Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls — reached by about 600 stairs.
Open 7 AM-10 PM daily. The Waterfalls Trail to Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls is abou…
Free
Edwards Point
Hike-in panoramic overlook — Tennessee River Gorge and the Chattanooga-area landscape, reached via a proper hike from either trailhead.
No street address — a genuine hike either way, not a quick stop. Allow half a day.
Free
Enterprise South Nature Park
2,800 acres and 40 miles of trails for hiking, trail running and horseback riding, 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga — mountain bike trails temporarily closed.
Restrooms
Free
Falling Water Falls State Natural Area
A 110-foot waterfall plus a commanding Tennessee Valley view — short trail, extremely limited parking.
Parking is limited to 3 vehicles at the small lot — don't park along the street, cars g…
Free
Foster Falls Recreation Area
A 60-foot waterfall in South Cumberland State Park, with a swimming hole below and a short overlook trail.
Free parking. Open sunrise to sunset - no night hiking. The overlook is an easy 0.4 mil…
Free
Greenway Farm
Three canoe access points on North Chickamauga Creek, plus 6 miles of walking, running and biking trails.
Seating · Restrooms
Free
Julia Falls Overlook
Hike-in overlook, about 0.4 mile from Signal Point — Middle Creek Gorge, Julia Falls after good rain, and Edwards Point across the gorge.
No street address — access is via the Signal Point trailhead, not a separate parking area.
Free
Ladder Trail Park
Wooded mountain scenery and trail photography rather than a major open overlook.
Official town park at Palisades Road & East Palisades — sourced from owner-provided res…
Free
Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness
Two named waterfalls, Laurel Falls (80 ft) and Snow Falls (35 ft), along a rugged gorge trail near Dayton.
Trailhead is at the end of a gravel road (Richland Creek Road, off Back Valley Road nor…
Free
Little Soddy Trailhead
Creek crossings and historic coal-mining sites, connecting into the Cumberland Trail.
Creek crossings and historic coal-mining sites along the way. Connects to the Cumberlan…
$16 conservation fee per reservation
Lula Lake Land Trust
A 120-foot waterfall on Lookout Mountain, open only on select weekends by reservation.
Reservations required - book ahead at lulalake.org. Open the first and last weekend of …
Free
Mushroom Rock
Hike-in rock formation and ridge scenery on the Cumberland Trail, between Edwards Point and Suck Creek Road.
On the Cumberland Trail between Signal Point/Edwards Point and Suck Creek Road, before …
Free
North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area
Fishing, seasonal kayaking, birdwatching and picnicking in a creek gorge natural area.
Open 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Creek gorge trails for fishing, seasonal kayaking, birdwatching…
Free
Norvell Park
Quiet nature photography — another stop along the Palisades side of Signal Mountain.
Official town natural area at Palisades Road & Norvell Drive — sourced from owner-provi…
Free
Patten Park
Wooded scenery and another part of the mountain to explore.
Official town wilderness park at Palisades Road & Green Gorge Road — sourced from owner…
Free
Pine Tree Bird Sanctuary and Park
A pine-shaded park overlooking Soddy Lake — kayaking, picnics and bird watching.
We haven’t looked closely at access here yet
$10 adult (16+), 15 and under free
Point Park
Sweeping Chattanooga overlook and Civil War battlefield site, part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
Open daily 8:30 AM-5 PM. A sweeping overlook of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River fro…
Free
Rainbow Lake Wilderness Park
Hiking, creek and woodland photography — a historic 1916 lake, a suspension bridge, and trail access toward Edwards Point.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM — closed Mondays. From the Ohio Avenue trailhead…
Free
Shackleford Ridge County Park
Trail access, not an overlook itself — an alternate entry toward the Rainbow Lake / Cumberland Trail system.
Sourced from owner-provided research, not independently re-verified — worth confirming …
Free
Signal Mountain Middle/High School
Trail access, not an overlook itself — another entry point toward Middle Creek, Rainbow Lake and Edwards Point.
Trailhead is documented behind the school's football stadium, per owner-provided resear…
FreeWorth the short drive
Prentice Cooper State Forest Trailhead
A sandstone bluff overlook of the Tennessee River Gorge, reached by a moderate ~6-mile round-trip hike on the Cumberland Trail.
Moderate ~6-mile out-and-back on the Cumberland Trail (sources vary 5.9-6.3 miles), abo…
Free
Soddy Lake
A public fishing pier and picnic areas across Dayton Pike from Veterans Park — good for birdwatching during migration season.
A public fishing pier and picnic areas, right across Dayton Pike from Veterans Park's b…
Free
Veterans Park
Fenced dog park, walking track, ballfields, pickleball and basketball.
We haven’t looked closely at access here yet
Free
Woodland Park
Woods, seasonal color and nature photography.
Official town natural area at Wilder Road & Palisades Road — sourced from owner-provide…