About Us

Established in 2004, Outdoor Chattanooga is a unique division of the City of Chattanooga’s Parks and Outdoors Department. Our mission is to make outdoor recreation an attractive, healthy, and distinguishing lifestyle for Chattanooga’s residents and visitors, which, in turn, will maintain and enhance the value of the region’s resources, and help grow the region’s economy.

Our role is to connect you with Chattanooga’s outdoor scene! There’s so much to see and do in the Scenic City, that it can be a little overwhelming finding the right information on how to get outside and play. We’re here to help. Search this site by activity or location to find detailed information about the places to run, climb, paddle, hike, bike, and more, all within an hours drive of Chattanooga.

You’ll find plenty of outdoor activities that you can do on your own or with local outfitters and guide services. Or, check out Our Programs and calendar of events for the special programs and events we offer throughout the year that are designed to introduce the public to a variety of outdoor activities and improve outdoor skills. You can also visit us at our LEED Gold certified facility in Coolidge Park, which contains two classrooms, a large central lobby with a traverse climbing wall and office space for our staff. Here you can pick up brochures and pick our brains about all the amazing outdoor spaces, places and activities that Chattanooga has to offer. The Bike Chattanooga station that sits in front of our building offers a car-free alternative and ‘wheelie’ fun way to see the City.

Meet Us

Terri Chapin Profile Photo

Gail Loveland Barille – Director

Gail Loveland Barille joined Outdoor Chattanooga in 2022, inspired by the opportunity to provide more entry points for people of all backgrounds and abilities into outdoor spaces. She brings with her over 25 years of experience working within organizations specifically focused on outdoor recreation, inclusion, and youth development and a portfolio of nationally recognized adaptive recreation programs, events, and facilities. Gail moved to Chattanooga in 2019 to join Southeast Conservation Corps and work in collaborations with the National Park Service, US Forest Service, and a variety of non-profits and conservation teams. Passionate about how she could help build our next generation of land stewards, she spent 3 years connecting local youth and young professionals to career paths in outdoor recreation and public land management. Gail has lived throughout the US and brings with her the knowledge of best practices, and missteps, from other recreation cities and communities throughout the Pacific NW, Rocky Mountains, and the Northeast. You can find her and her family daily on a trail, waterway, or greenway; adventuring with a variety of backpacks, helmets, camping, and paddle gear. A proponent of enjoying rest as much as activity, Gail also spends time listening to Chattanooga’s local music, checking out the variety of food, and exploring the diversity of our region’s plants, insects, birds, and animals.

Terri Chapin Profile Photo

 Terri Chapin – Recreation Program Coordinator

Terri Chapin joined Outdoor Chattanooga in 2010 as Outdoor Programs Coordinator.  She holds over 25 years of experience in teaching youth and adults a broad range of outdoor skills and has dedicated her career to adventure-based education. Managing and developing outdoor educational programs, experiences and building outdoor community is her focus and passion. Terri built her love of the outdoors in the mountains and on the rivers in 27 states and 2 countries, specializing in whitewater kayaking where she literally cut her teeth leading whitewater river trips.  Inspired by the power of experiential education she earned a Master’s in Recreation Management and an undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ohio University. When not in the office, Terri can be found biking, kayaking or exploring the next adventure.

James Eubank Profile Photo

Kirsten Maynard – Recreation Program Specialist

Kirsten is a Chattanooga native, who grew up enjoying the outdoors through play and exploration. After suffering a brain injury, in college Kirsten pivoted back to her roots and found healing and a career passion in facilitating outdoor experiences for others.  After graduating from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelors in Sports, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism Management, she made her way west to explore Colorado. During this time, Kirsten gained experience in program coordination, logistics, and informal education, with special focuses in ecology, teambuilding, and all things rope. Through these experiences, she discovered her devotion for creating sustainable and connected communities through outdoor programming. When not outside, you can find Kirsten tending to her plants and animals, or spending time with her nephews.

Philip Grymes Profile Photo

In Memory of Philip Grymes
Director of Outdoor Chattanooga

The legacy left by Philip can be seen throughout Chattanooga, in the faces of the residents and visitors who come to enjoy the built and natural resources for pursuit in outdoor adventure.  Philip Grymes joined Outdoor Chattanooga as the Executive director in 2006, and excelled in the task of promoting Chattanooga and the surrounding area as an outdoor recreation destination.  During his 15 years with Outdoor Chattanooga, he was notably instrumental in much of the behind the scenes work to bring several large scale events to Chattanooga, such as Head of the Hooch and Ironman. He also found support for the development of grassroots events such as Swim the Suck and Chattajack, to name only a few.  Philip’s adventurous spirit will live on with Outdoor Chattanooga with the mission to continue to inspire, educate and break the barriers of participation in outdoor recreation, for everyone. 

Find Us

Contact Us

Phone: (423) 643-6888

Email: info@outdoorchattanooga.com

Contact Us

Our Partners

So much of what we do wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners.

City of Chattanooga Seal
Outdoor Chattanooga is a unique division of the City of Chattanooga’s Parks & Outdoors Department. Established in 2004, our mission is to make outdoor recreation an attractive, healthy, and distinguishing lifestyle for Chattanooga’s residents and visitors, which, in turn, will maintain and enhance the value of the region’s resources, and help grow the region’s economy.
Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga Logo
Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga, Inc., was incorporated in December 2007, and designated as a 501(c)3 charitable organization to support the City of Chattanooga’s Outdoor Chattanooga division with its mission. Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga is a volunteer run organization that relies completely on the financial support of private citizens, grant funding agencies and the business community. Specifically, Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga works to preserve, protect and promote outdoor recreation opportunities through education, activities and events.

Find Us on Facebook

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1 month ago

Outdoor Chattanooga
11 Days till Chatt Town Cool Down!How about a chance to try out rock climbing under the Walnut Street Bridge? We will have it on Saturday, August 26th! And great for kids and adults. Just make sure you wear tennis shoes or hiking boots. The full schedule of events at outdoorchattanooga.com! #CityInAPark ... See MoreSee Less
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1 month ago

Outdoor Chattanooga
On a boat Or on a hike. Or with friends On a bike. From sunset rockTo Stringer’s Ridge There’s plenty of placesYou’ll like. ... See MoreSee Less
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1 month ago

Outdoor Chattanooga
Join Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Outdoor Chattanooga for a free, leisurely paced bicycle tour through the Chickamauga Battlefield. A National Park Service Ranger recounts the history of the battlefield during frequent stops, while Outdoor Chattanooga staff and volunteers provide ride support. Loaner bicycles are available for riders five feet tall and over at no charge, thanks to sponsorship from the National Park Partners and the Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga. Reservations for these bicycles are required. If you have and use your own equipment, no reservation is necessary. ... See MoreSee Less
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1 month ago

Outdoor Chattanooga
Paddle Down (Formerly Paddlefest) spots are still available, Saturday, August 26th. Paddle Down is a FREE, organized, recreational people-powered paddle event to celebrate Chattanooga as a river town.This FREE Saturday morning event welcomes kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards to paddle a 5.4-mile stretch of the Tennessee River, from Rivermont to Coolidge Park. Participants are welcome to bring their own or rent a boat! Coordination with local rental companies provides additional opportunities to participate or bring your paddle craft. Shuttles are provided to assist with parking logistics prior to the event’s start.The paddle will officially launch at 9:30am from Rivermont Boat Ramp. There will be support from fire/rescue boat, on-water staff, and volunteers along the stretch of the river. Lifejackets are required for all participants. Participants may bring their own craft or rent a craft. It takes about 2 hours on the water for a leisurely paddle. The take-out is at Coolidge ParkMORE INFO ON PARKING, BOAT RENTALS AND FREE SHUTTLES: outdoorchattanooga.com/programs/chatt-town-cooldown/Boat rentals provided by: Outdoor Chattanooga Rental – Kayaks and Shuttle ReservationsOutshine Adventures Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) equipment rental tinyurl.com/y2pye77sRock/Creek – Use code PADDLEFEST and book ½ day optiongearheadoutfitters.com/pages/rcaChattanooga Paddleboards. checkout.square.site/buy/HMDXYSGPSIQIBQJPS4GJUWNQ ... See MoreSee Less
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