Around Soddy-Daisy
Overlooks, water, and the light worth getting up early for.
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
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…
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
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
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
TN-111 Sequatchie Valley Overlook
A free, year-round roadside overlook with panoramic Sequatchie Valley views and a colorblind-accessible viewfinder.
Viewable from the car · Paved
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
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
Overlook Park
Scenic park, easy access — mountain and valley views from North Palisades Drive.
Officially listed as a scenic park by the town, per owner-provided research — not indep…
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…
$43-45 adult, $33-35 child (3-12), varies by day - cheaper booked a day ahead
Rock City Gardens
Rock formations, gardens and the famous "See 7 States" overlook atop Lookout Mountain.
Open daily, 10 AM-10:30 PM. A walking trail through rock formations and gardens, includ…
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 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
Sunrise Lookout Park
Small scenic park, easy access — a quick roadside stop for valley and ridge views.
Viewable from the car · Paved
Free
Woodland Park
Woods, seasonal color and nature photography.
Official town natural area at Wilder Road & Palisades Road — sourced from owner-provide…