Biking

Biking
The Tanasi trail system provides the intermediate to expert level mountain biker over 35 miles of single-track trail to explore on two wheels near the Ocoee Whitewater Center. There's an additional 20 miles of trail at the Chilhowee Recreation area for both hikers and bikers to explore. Note, there is a $3 day-use parking fee at both areas.

Camping
Overnight accommodations are provided at more than 30 developed campgrounds in the Cherokee National Forest. Visitors can stay at developed campgrounds with large, level campsites, tables, fire rings, electricity, and bathhouses or primitive campgrounds with minimal site amenities. Most campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis. However, reservation services are now available for several popular campgrounds in the Cherokee National Forest including Parksville Lake Campground, Indian Boundary, and Chilhowee Recreation Area, along with others. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.

Hiking
Over 600 miles of non-motorized trails traverse Cherokee National Forest including nearly 150 miles the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.)  Take a day hike or hike several days on the national forest trails system. 

Horseback Riding
The Little Citco Horse Trail system offers more than 15 miles of backcountry trails in the Citico Creek Wilderness section of the Cherokee National Forest. The Trailhead is located at the Young Branch Campground, near Vonore, Tennessee, about 2 hours northeast of Chattanooga. The campground accommodates up to 25 horses and 35 people in 7 campsites. Sites can be reserved.

Hunting
Covering a combined 298,456 acres, the South Cherokee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Region III is open for hunting small and large game, including wild hog, black bear, whitetail deer, turkey, and grouse. All hunting areas are managed in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and all hunters are subject to TWRA rules and regulations.

Paddling
Cherokee National Forest is home to both the Hiwassee and Ocoee rivers. Each has diverse paddling options like whitewater rafting, kayaking, and playboating on moderate to difficult rapids as well as flatwater sections and lakes suitable for calm kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and paddleboarding.

Located in the Cherokee National Forest, the Chilhowee Recreation Area is an excellent hub for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and wildlife viewing. The 7-acre McKamy Lake offers a swimming area with a sandy beach, fishing from the bank and flatwater paddling opportunities. There are 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, including the easy 1.5-mile trail to Benton Falls. Wildlife is abundant in the recreation area and scenic overlooks on the drive up the mountain provide great sunset views of Parksville Lake, so have your camera ready and tread lightly.

Chilhowee Campground offers more than 70 campsites, electric hookups, RV sites, tent only sites, and multiple bathhouses with warm showers.  The Campground is open from early April to late October, with an overflow area and day use area open year-round. The recreation area is in close proximity to Parksville Lake (Ocoee Lake), the Ocoee River, Big Frog Wilderness, the Tanasi trail system at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, and the Hiwassee River.

Reservations can be made for Chilhowee Group Camp and individual sites at Loops A, B, E, and F.  To make a reservation, please call 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.

Hamilton County’s 2,800-acre Enterprise South Nature Park is located off I-75 in Northeast Chattanooga, adjacent to the Volkswagen manufacturing plant. The park is best known for its vast recreational trail network that winds among dozens of sealed ammunition storage bunkers.

The park offers 40-miles of paved and unpaved trails open for day hiking, trail running, mountain biking, road biking, horseback riding, and ADA accessible recreation. The park also offers a visitor center, restrooms, 4 picnic areas, historical exhibits, and a 7-mile driving loop.

The nature park boasts 15-miles of singletrack mountain bike trails that range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate with built boardwalks and other technical features. The trails are directional depending on the day. Please check signs before riding. There are several trails that are for hiking and trail running only that are easily accessed near the visitor center.



The recently added 10-mile Summit Knobs Trail was added in 2018 and is the first public facility in Hamilton County designed specifically for horseback riding. The trailhead features a large gravel parking area specifically designed to withstand trucks, trailers, and horses and is located off Highway 58 behind the Central High School football field, separate from the main park entrance. The facility also includes handicap-accessible restrooms, two water trough stations, mile marker trail posts, an information kiosk with trail maps and hitching posts.

Situated on 375 wooded acres in McDonald, TN, 30 minutes from Chattanooga, the Johnston Woods Retreat Center is a serene base camp for outdoor adventures. They specialize in hosting retreats, weddings, and camps, offering a variety of lodge and cabin rentals for large groups.

The property contains a small lake, a disc golf course, and a multi-use singletrack trail system for mountain biking, trail running and hiking. There are two separate loop trails off the main parking area totaling 4.2-miles. The lower 1.3-mile loop trail is Easy, the upper 2.9-mile loop trail is Moderate, both are well-marked and a nice (re)treat for all skill levels.

The disc golf course is a short course, open to the public Monday - Thursday from noon to sunset. The weekends are reserved for retreat use.

There are two easy trails suitable for family outings and trail runners seeking an off-road option close to downtown. The 3-mile Blue Blazes trail loop or the 1.2-mile out and back Brown's Ferry Federal Road trail are best to visit during fall and winter to avoid the swampy low lying areas that occur in the rainy spring and summer months.

Moccasin Bend is a popular road biking destination that takes cyclists through a busy industrial area before transitioning into a scenic, green peninsula that is heavily populated by deer and wild turkey. The ride is best early in the morning or in the evening after rush hour has cleared.



The back half of the loop runs through a residential area before spilling onto Cherokee Blvd., through the Stringers Ridge Tunnel for a fast downhill finish back into town.



The route is well suited for adults and older teenagers who want to begin riding on trafficked roads or who desire a shorter, scenic route close to downtown.