Here are a few ways you can test the waters (or the rocks and hiking trails), with advice from local guides to help you get started

By William Newlin

In Chattanooga, we’re surrounded by national parks, interconnected waterways, and natural formations unavailable to other metro areas. But unless you already own a couple pairs of hiking shoes and have a garage full of gear, Chattanooga’s outdoor offerings can seem out of reach. Luckily, there are plenty of local resources to get out of the house and into nature.

A great place to start is with Outdoor Chattanooga, which publishes all of its events, from kayak tours to mountain biking lessons, on its calendar.

“(Our programming) just shows how big of an outdoor city Chattanooga is,” said Anthony Beasley, a tour leader with the city’s Outdoor Chattanooga program. “And shows everyone how committed we are to making sure everyone enjoys the outdoors.”

Hiking

Hiking trails are abundant in and around Chattanooga — there’s more than 150 miles of them within a 15-minute drive from downtown. The best part about hiking is its accessibility. Check the weather, strap on some walking shoes, grab a water bottle, and you’re good to go.

Check out this list of nearby hiking areas, which come with difficulty ratings. Moccasin Bend, South Chickamauga Creek, and Greenway Farm Park are a few of the easiest paths.

“Stringer’s Ridge is a good one,” Beasley said. “It’s very accessible, easy to get to, and once you do Stringer’s Ridge, you’ll see a lot of different other hiking levels you can probably tap into.”

Rock climbing

Climbing at the Walnut Wall. *Photo courtesy Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors*

People travel from around the country to rock climb in Chattanooga, but for many locals, the sport is as unfamiliar as bobsledding.

To get started, you don’t have to embark on a record-breaking free solo summit. Sometimes Outdoor Chattanooga hosts free events to let people try climbing the cobbled supports below Walnut Street Bridge. A guide to help you up beginner to intermediate routes and all the necessary equipment is provided. The next Walnut Wall event is June 14.

There are also indoor climbing gyms to hone your skills, such as High Point and Synergy, and outdoor climbing guides and instruction through Granite Arches.

“I never climbed inside before I learned how to climb outside,” Beasley said. “I like the scenery, so I guess it would just depend on you.”

Kayaking

Every Wednesday in the summer, Outdoor Chattanooga hosts whitewater kayaking training, teaching the very basics like getting into the kayak and, of course, getting comfortable falling out. The first class is free, and Beasley said it’s one of Outdoor Chattanooga’s most popular events.

Local kayaking tours happen periodically as well, including a $35 trip in which you travel through a lock to go from the top of the Chickamauga dam to the river.

With gear provided, Outdoor Chattanooga events are good ways to get acclimated before investing in a kayak of your own. You can also find places to rent kayaks and other gear here.

Camping

The quintessential family summer activity, camping is a nearby option at Raccoon Mountain, Chester Frost Park near Lakesite, and Harrison Bay State Park.

Here’s a guide from the National Parks Service on how to plan and enjoy your camping trip. Find campsites managed by the parks service and other agencies here, and a list of local sites compiled by Chattanooga Tourism Co.

You can find a cabin or pitch a tent, but remember to leave your outdoor spaces as clean or cleaner than you found them. Check out these “leave no trace” principles for all your encounters with nature.

If you'd prefer to hike into your campsite on a backpacking trip, you'll have extra preparation to do. Go here for tips on how to get started backpacking.

Mountain Biking

Outdoor Chattanooga has a couple options to get in gear on a mountain bike. Beginners can take a $10 fundamentals class to get their bearings in a flat field, and more comfortable riders can do a $25 ride down some local trails.

Check out a list of nearby routes ranging from easy to very difficult here.

About Outdoor Chattanooga: Whether you're seeking to learn new outdoor skills, explore recreation venues, or simply connect with other outdoor enthusiasts, Outdoor Chattanooga offers a wide range of meetups and classes for all levels of outdoor recreation in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Outdoor Chattanooga is a program of the Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors Department.

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