This is why they call it the Scenic City. You're within an hour of serious
trails, rivers, and views in three states.
- Lookout Mountain - Rock City and Point Park give the classic postcard
view of the city in the valley (seerockcity.com,
nps.gov/chch). Busy on weekends; go early.
- Signal Mountain - the Signal Point trailhead is a local favorite
(visitchattanooga.com).
Check park hours.
- Raccoon Mountain - the scenic overlook on the dam road is a top
sunrise/sunset spot (TVA).
Easy / family:
- Riverwalk - miles of paved path along the river through downtown and the
Northshore (greenway access points everywhere).
- Stringer's Ridge - urban woods right across the river; short loops,
great sunsets (city greenways).
Moderate:
- Signal Point → down to the river and back (steep return).
- Chickamauga Dam / North Chickamauga Creek - flat-to-rolling, varied.
Hard / big reward:
- Prentice Cooper State Forest - remote ridge trails and the Tennessee
River Gorge overlook; a must for locals-in-the-know
(TWRA).
- Tennessee River - kayak/SUP put-ins downtown and at Coolidge Park;
river tubing up near the dam on hot weekends.
- Swimming - the lake pools (Chickamauga/Cherokee) and quarry spots; watch
for current/conditions and private access.
- High Point Climbing (downtown) for gym climbing; the Tennessee Wall
and Sunset Rock (Lookout) for outdoor routes
(visitchattanooga.com).
Last updated: August 2026. Trail closures and park hours change - verify
before heading out.