Dam Kayak Tours
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a guided and equipped Dam Kayak Tour and have the unforgettable experience of locking down through the Chickamauga Dam. Our experienced guides will lead you on a leisurely paced paddle across Chickamauga lake into the entrance of the lock where the tie off to a pin and watch the Lock Master lower the water and open the doors to exit at river level. The tour continues down the Tennessee River with a shuttle provided. Prior to departure, you’ll receive basic paddling instruction, water safety information and be properly outfitted in a lifejacket and kayak.
Cost is $35 per person which includes guides on the water and all the kayaking equipment (kayak, paddle, and PFD). This dam kayak tour is appropriate for ages 14+ when accompanied by an adult. Some prior kayaking/paddling experience is helpful but not required to participate in this tour. Guides will offer basic paddling instruction and provide on water support throughout the duration of the tour, which lasts approximately 2.5 hours. Reservations and payment are required in advance as space is limited.
What You’ll Discover
- How to adjust a kayak and lifejacket to comfortably fit you
- Beginner paddle strokes to direct your kayak in the direction you want to go.
- The inside of the Chickamauga Lock and how it functions for water crafts to pass through.
- How to navigate through the dam and launches along the TN River
FAQs
When and are the tours offered?
Check out our calendar HERE to see upcoming Dam Kayak Tours.
Do I need to make a reservation?
Yes, online reservations are required in advance as space is limited.
Can I use my own equipment?
No, Outdoor Chattanooga provides all the equipment as this tour is intended to be guided and equipped. We cannot accommodate personal watercrafts due to limited space in our shuttle vehicle, watercrafts not fitting on the trailer and because we follow ACA requirements of guide to participant ratios when on the water.
How much does it cost?
Cost is $35 per person which includes all the kayaking equipment (kayak, paddle, and lifejacket), guides through the duration of the tour and a shuttle ride to your vehicle.
Do I have to have experience to participate?
Some prior kayaking/paddling experience is helpful but not required to participate in this tour. Guides will offer basic paddling instruction and provide on water support throughout the duration of the tour, which lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Are there age or weight restrictions?
Yes, this tour is most appropriate for ages 14 and up when accompanied by an adult. We utilize Wilderness System’s Pungo Recreational Kayaks that have a weight limit of 325lbs and are designed as sit-in with limited space in the cockpit area.
Events
Events
Calendar of Events
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Join us for a serene and immersive afternoon in nature under the enchanting Snow Moon! As part of our Full Moon Adventure Series, this guided forest bathing experience invites you to slow down, awaken […] |
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Chattanooga Grotto is the caving club of Chattanooga, TN. Meetings are held every first Monday of the month at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park at 7PM EST. Anyone is welcome […] |
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a parent/child focused program highlighting "winter adaptations". Designed especially for toddlers, this class aims to spark a lifelong passion for the natural world and nurture curiosity, […]
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Embark on a remarkable journey with "Hike Through History," a collaborative effort by the City of Chattanooga and the African American Cemetery Preservation Fund. Join us on a low-impact hike […] |
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […]
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Learn to Ride a Bike Learn how to ride a bicycle in as little as one class, or come see us to refresh your rusty skills. The class consists of […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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Ready to take your adventures farther off the beaten path, but skeptical of the backpacking advice you read online? Have some questions you want answered but don't know who to […] |
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Pin the Arrow on Cupid Join the City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors Department for a playful Valentine’s-themed evening at the Outdoor Chattanooga Building on Friday, February 13! Whether you’re looking to try […] |
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Ditch the crowded restaurants and celebrate your love for nature (and maybe each other!) on a peaceful, guided birding hike with Outdoor Chattanooga! Join us at Harrison Bay State Park […] |
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Bushcraft: Fire Building and Camp Cooking Experience the satisfaction of building a fire with your own hands and cooking a meal in the open air! In this half-day, hands-on class, you’ll […] |
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Chattanooga Bicycle Club meets at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center the 3rd MONDAY monthly from 6pm- 7:30 pm.The CBC is a recreational cycling club whose members share the good fortune of […] |
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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WINTER WORKSHOP SERIES Curious about the animals you might encounter in your own backyard or on the trail? Join us for a classroom-based winter workshop offered in partnership with the […] |
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Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a beautiful and invigorating winter adventure! This Winter Waterfall Hike takes you on a moderate 4-mile round-trip hike to stunning Hemlock Falls in Georgia’s Sitton’s Gulch […] |
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Learn more about how to get involved with the club and even more opportunities to get outdoors!https://www.sierraclub.org/tennessee/cherokeeThe Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the […] |
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Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "Try Archery" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more […] Take aim at Outdoor Chattanooga's "ADULT only ARCHERY- Aim your Game" class. This free indoor class located at the Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park offers a hands-on […] |
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Curious about hunting but not sure where to start? Join Outdoor Chattanooga and experts from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation for Hunting 101, an introductory workshop designed to help new and […] |
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MEDIC SOLO: Wilderness First Aid is an in-person certification class and an industry standard in the outdoor recreation industry as well as recommended for any outdoor enthusiast. WFA/ SOLO MEDIC […] |
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Did You Know?
The Chattanooga region holds many diverse paddling opportunities for beginners and experts to enjoy. The Tennessee River flows through the heart of downtown Chattanooga and is considered a national Blueway destination for recreational paddlers. All 45 miles from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam are navigable and accessible to paddle crafts of all types. You can enjoy a leisurely paced afternoon paddle downtown or in the gorge, or turn it into a multi-day adventure! The lakes and tributaries feeding into the river also offer a multitude of paddling options. Our website offers the most comprehensive list of public accessible launches in the Chattanooga region. Come out and paddle with us!