Area Attractions

 

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Cherokee National Forest

35 miles

Take I-75 towards Knoxville to Cleveland. Take US 64 to Parksville Community and Parksville lake at the edge of the forest.

 

 

 

Chester Frost Park

Approx. 25 miles

Take Highway 153 across the Chickamauga Dam. Exit on Hixson Pike north. Turn right on Gold Point Circle. Park is located on 6 miles of Chickamauga Lake. Large swimming area, picnic tables, campsites, boat docks and ramp. Bathhouses and drinking water available. (No charge)

 

 

 

Chickamauga Dam and Recreational Area

12 miles

Take Highway 153 to Chickamauga Dam exit. Large picnic and play area, boat ramp and dock, and a large swimming area. Picnic tables are on bluff overlooking the lake. Restrooms and drinking water available. (No charge)

 

 

Chickamauga National Military Park

15 miles

Go south to Ringgold. Take Highway 2 west to the Park. The museum explains the Civil War battles in the area and has a gun display. Picnicking, hiking and bicycling are available. The area has many paved roads. Plaques and monuments explain the Civil War troop activities in the area.

 

Chilhowee

35 miles

Take US 11 to Cleveland, then US 64 to Parksville Lake. Watch for Chilhowee sign on left. The road to the area provides beautiful views of the Smoky Mountains and Parksville Lake. The area has restrooms, picnic tables, drinking water, trails, fishing, hunting, camping, and swimming.

 

 

 

Cloudland Canyon State Park

approx. 50 miles

Take I-24 west through Chattanooga. Continue to I-19 south to Trenton, Georgia, exit. Go right on Highway 143. Follow signs. Has facilities plus excellent hiking down a canyon. Several waterfalls. (No charge)

 

 

 

Craven's House

25 miles

Take I-75 South to I-24 to Chattanooga. Take the Lookout Mountain exit. Follow the signs to Lookout Mountain. Take SR148 to the Craven's House. National Park Service guides in period costumes lead visitors on tours. (Opening hours vary seasonally.)

 

Fall Creek Falls

90 miles

Take I-24 north through Chattanooga to US 27 junction. Take US 27 approximately 5 miles before exiting left onto 127 which takes you over Signal Mountain towards Pikeville. You may turn left onto State 111 until you come to the back entrance of the Park, or you may go on to Pikeville and watch for three left turns (using State 30) to the main entrance. Large waterfalls, nice trails, picnicking, camping, nature museum, bicycling. (No charge for entrance to park, hiking or picnicking)

 

 

Foster Falls TVA Recreation Center

approx. 65 miles

Take I-75 to Chattanooga then take I-24 North to the Jasper exit. Go into the town of Jasper, turn right at the stoplight. Go about 1 1/2 miles to Hwy. #41. Turn left onto Hwy. #41 towards Tracy City. Follow signs to Foster Falls. A lovely forest area with deep canyons and waterfalls. Hiking along the canyon rim which is almost horizontal.

 

 

Harrison Bay State Park

12 miles

From I-75 Ooltewah exit, turn away from Collegedale. Turn left at light. Take Hunter Road to Highway 58. Turn right. Turn left on Harrison Bay Road to the Park. Swimming pool, playground, camping, fishing, hiking, and bicycling. Park borders the Chickamauga Lake. Restrooms and drinking water available. (No charge except for pool use)

 

 

Hiwassee River Drive

45 miles

View the Hiwassee River from the car along Highway 30. Take US 11 from Ooltewah to Highway 64 towards Ocoee. Take US 411 exit. Turn left and go to Highway 20 to Reliance and beyond. Plenty of places to stop and eat and put your feet in the water. This river is well known for tubing and canoeing.

 

 

The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts

25 miles

Famous for its antique glass and pitcher collections. The museum also features displays of furniture, music boxes, and quilts from the 18th and 19th centuries. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. Located at 201 High Street, Chattanooga; Phone: 267-7176.

 

 

Hunter Museum of Art

25 miles

The museum is housed in the original mansion of the family who invented Coca Cola. Located at 10 Bluff View, Chattanooga; Phone: 267-0968.

 

 

Indian Boundary

approx. 75 miles

Follow US 11 to Cleveland. Take Highway 64 towards Ocoee to US 411 to Etowah. Turn right on FM 115, then right on FM 14. Turn right on SR 68 to Tellico Plains. Ask in the town for directions to Indian Boundary Recreation Area. A small lake provides for both Sabbath and non-Sabbath activities. Hiking, swimming, boating, and picnicking available. (No charge)

 

 

 

Lake Conasauga and Cohutta Wilderness

approx. 50 miles

Take I-75 south to Highway 2 east. Take 411 south to Eton. Go left in Eton (note sign) to the wilderness and lake. Lake Conasauga is a mountain-top lake excellent for hiking, swimming, and camping. The wilderness is a rugged area crisscrossed with trails and streams. Good for backpacking.

 

 

Laurel Snow Pocket Wilderness

60 miles

Take I-75 to Highway 153. Follow Highway 153 to US 27 to Dayton. Go through town to SR 30. Turn left. Follow to first road after underpass and turn right. Has a stream, reservoir, picnic tables, trails, falls, huge boulders, and wilderness camping. No drinking water or restrooms. (No charge)

 

 

Lost Creek

50 miles

Take US 11 to Cleveland. Follow US 64 to Parksville Lake. Turn left on Highway 30; watch for signs on right. Follow dirt road for about 15 minutes. Great hiking, camping (no electricity), and rock skipping. Restrooms and drinking water are available. (No charge)

 

 

Ocoee River/Parksville Lake

25 miles

Take Highway 11 to Highway 64 exit (to the right). Follow signs to Ocoee River. Swimming areas with beaches and boat ramps available. Chilhowee mountain, with camping facilities, a small lake, and hiking trails, are nearby.

 

 

Point Park

20 miles

Follow I-24 into Chattanooga. Exit at Lookout Mountain. Turn left on Broad Street and follow to the top of Lookout Mountain. Follow signs. All of Chattanooga can be seen, including the Tennessee River. Trails to Sunset Point, Covenant College, Cravens House, and other points of interest start here.

 

 

Quinn Springs

35 Miles

Take US 11 to Cleveland. Take US 64 north to US 411. Turn left toward Benton. Watch for Quinn Springs sign. Turn right on Highway 30. Go 2 miles. Camping area is alongside the Hiwassee River. Picnic area and shelter, drinking water, fishing, restrooms, and hiking are available. (No charge)

 

 

Raccoon Mountain Pump Storage Facility

30 miles

The pump storage facility is in a cavern carved into Raccoon Mountain a mile below the surface. This is a fascinating look at the wonders of technology. Includes a lake and picnic area about a mile from the pump. Take I-24 to second Tiftonia exit (west of Chattanooga) to Highway 11. Follow signs to Raccoon Mountain Pump Storage Facility. (No charge) Phone: 843-4100.

 

 

Red Clay State Historical Area

12 miles

Head east on Apison Pike from Collegedale. Follow until the road ends, turn right on Wesleyan Rd. When it ends, turn left and follow to end. Turn left and follow signs into the park. Red Clay is the location of the last council grounds of the Eastern Cherokee Indian Nation. A museum and reconstructed Indian farmstead show aspects of the Cherokee life-style. Picnicking and several miles of foot trails. No overnight camping. (No charge)

 

 

Reflection Riding

approx. 28 miles

Take I-24 past Chattanooga. Exit south at Tiftonia to Highway 11. Go left at first highway up the mountain, then right at Reflection Riding sign. A quiet and restful place to walk or drive. A pond with ducks and horses add to the serenity. (Small charge if you drive past the gate—no charge if you walk in.)

 

 

Russell Cave

approx. 75 miles

Take I-24 north to South Pittsburg. Take Highway 72 to Bridgeport where you leave 72 and follow the signs to Russell Cave. This is a beautiful small park with great history of the early American Indians who occupied and lived along the Tennessee River.

 

 

Sequoyah Caverns

80 miles

World-famous caverns named after the Cherokee Indian who invented and perfected the Cherokee alphabet. Camping and handicapped facilities available. Located 35 miles south of Chattanooga on I-59. Phone: 635-6423.

 

Signal Point

25 miles

Located on top of Signal Mountain. Take I-24 to US 27. Follow to the end of the interstate. Turn left on US 127 and go up Signal Mountain. At top, follow signs to Signal Point (a left turn before the first light.) Provides a view of the Tennessee River as it flows between Raccoon Mountain and Signal Mountain. A fairly rigorous trail begins there that leads to a falls and lake. Picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking water available. (No charge)

 

Skull Island

20 miles

From Ooltewah, follow US 11 under I-75. Turn left on Hunter Road. Turn right on Highway 58. Turn left on Birchwood Pike. Island is on the left. Restrooms, camping, and drinking water are available.

 

 

Smoky Mountain National Park

90 miles

Take I-75 north to Knoxville. Turn right on Highway 411 to the park via Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Beautiful fall colors in mid-October. The nation's most traversed park. Hiking, camping.

 

Tennessee Aquarium

25 miles

The Aquarium has made a name for itself as the largest freshwater aquarium in the world. While it mainly focuses on the Tennessee River, the Aquarium also exhibits the wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico, Nickajack Lake, and major world rivers. Admission is under $10. Located at Second and Broad Street, Chattanooga; Phone: (423) 265-0695.

 

Warner Park Zoo

18 miles

Take I-24 to Moore Road exit. Turn right on Moore Road, then left on Brainerd Road. Go through the tunnel at Missionary Ridge. Continue on McCallie Avenue to Warner Park on the right. Site of Chattanooga Lookouts softball. Lots of picnic tables, restrooms, rose garden and a zoo.

 

 

Watts Bar Reservoir

50 miles

Take I-75 towards Knoxville, then Highway 68. Just 16 miles off I-75. A 3,800 acre lake ideal for fishing, boating, and water skiing, Watts Bar Dam also offers landscaped gardens and over 200 acres of hiking. Tennis, golf, restaurant, and gift shop are available. Phone: 365-9595

 

 

Booker T. Washington State Park

12 miles

Take Bonnie Oaks Drive from I-75 (Collegedale exit). Turn right on Jersey Pike and then right on Highway 58. Turn left on Champion Road to the park. There is a playground, camping, fishing, hiking and bicycling. Restrooms and drinking water available.