Around Soddy-Daisy
Fresh air, trails and water — the everyday outdoor pick.
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
Booker T. Washington State Park
Fishing, birdwatching and boat/paddling access on Chickamauga Lake, with a significant civil rights history.
353-acre park on the shores of Chickamauga Lake with fishing, birdwatching, boat and pa…
Park entry is free; camping and some activities have fees
Chester Frost Park
Fishing, kayaking and lake recreation on Chickamauga Lake — camping, trails and a swim beach.
Large Hamilton County lake park with fishing, kayaking, a swim beach, camping and trail…
Ramp access is free; marina services and fuel are separate
Soddy-Daisy Boat Ramp
Boat ramps, fishing and open water on the Tennessee River reservoir.
We haven’t looked closely at access here yet
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…
$20 to fill a cup (cup and clippers provided)
Signal Mountain Nursery
Cut your own bouquet from the nursery's flower fields — $20 fills a cup, cup and clippers provided.
Open during nursery hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM, Sat 9 AM-5 PM. Nursery recommends arrivin…
Free
Dog Paddle Park, Chester Frost Park
Off-leash dog park within Chester Frost Park — separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, agility equipment, and water access.
Separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, a dual fountain for owners and pets, be…
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
Fall Creek Falls State Park
A 256-foot waterfall — the tallest east of the Mississippi — plus 29,800 acres of Cumberland Plateau trails, camping and cabins near Spencer.
29,800 acres across Bledsoe and Van Buren counties. The falls themselves drop 256 feet …
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
Soddy Lake
Cast a line from the public fishing pier at Soddy Lake, or from the shoreline at Pine Tree Bird Sanctuary and Park nearby.
Public fishing pier at Soddy Lake, 11312 Dayton Pike. Pine Tree Bird Sanctuary and Park…
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
Park entry is free; camping and marina services have separate fees
Harrison Bay State Park
Fishing, paddling, birding and picnicking on Chickamauga Lake — plus one of Tennessee's largest fully accessible playgrounds.
Wheelchair access · 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 …
No launch fee at the boat ramp; camping fees apply separately
Shellmound Recreation Area
A no-fee boat ramp and lakeside recreation area on Nickajack Lake, with camping, swimming and fishing alongside.
Near South Pittsburg, just off the I-24 Jasper exit, next to Nickajack Dam. Other publi…
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
Soddy Lake
Picnic areas at Soddy Lake's fishing pier, or a shaded table at Pine Tree Bird Sanctuary and Park.
Seating
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
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
Red Clay State Historic Park
The last capital and council grounds of the Cherokee Nation before removal — near Cleveland, with a visitor center, replica buildings, and nature trails.
263-acre park, no entrance fee. Visitor center with 19th-century Cherokee artifacts and…
$42.95 per person
Ruby Falls
After-hours cave and waterfall tour lit only by hand-held lanterns — extra time at the falls, small groups, a laid-back pace.
Friday nights, after Ruby Falls' regular hours - exact times not posted. Ages 10+. A 1-…
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…
Free
Signal Point Reservation
Major overlook, easy access — sweeping views of the Tennessee River Gorge from the Cumberland Trail's southern trailhead.
Seating · Restrooms
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
Spring City Boat Ramp
A freshly rebuilt public boat ramp on Watts Bar Lake, good for boating, fishing and swimming.
Rebuilt in 2025 with a two-lane paved ramp, a new aluminum courtesy dock, and a large, …
Free
Woodland Park
Woods, seasonal color and nature photography.
Official town natural area at Wilder Road & Palisades Road — sourced from owner-provide…