Outdoor Chattanooga's Winter Workshop Series are classroom based seminars and workshops designed to educate the public to be confident to get outdoors.
The workshops cover a variety of topics and occur on Thursdays from 6 - 7:30 p.m. beginning January 14 and running through March 3 at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Click on the links below for workshop descriptions and plan to come play with us (indoors through the winter months)!
Jan. 21: Planning a Winter Hike
Jan. 28: Fresh Water Snorkeling
Feb. 4: How to Poop in the Woods
Feb. 11: An American Ascent Film Screening
Feb. 18: Navigate with Map & Compass
Feb. 25: Wetland & Stream Restoration
March 3: Adventure of Weather
Find More Outdoor Chattanooga Events
Community Events
Lookout Wild Film Festival January 28-31
The Lookout Wild Film Festival (LWFF) is back in Chattanooga for its fourth year to showcase wild places and the people they inspire! LWFF is an outdoor adventure and conservation festival that will debut 67 unique outdoor adventure films over three days, Fri., Jan. 29 through Sun., Jan. 31 at the Memorial Auditorium Community Theater. There's an opening night party at The Camp House from 7-9:30 p.m. The Festival offers free yoga sessions plus medication films on Sat. and Sun. at 1 p.m. Sat. and Sun. matinees begin at 2 p.m. and the prime time films are scheduled for Fri. and Sat. nights from 7-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 per day or $16 for a weekend pass and all seats are general admission. Visit the LWFF website to purchase tickets, see the schedule of events and check out film trailers. You won't want to miss out on this awesome event!
Wild Trails 200 Mile Club
Join the Wild Trails 200 Mile Club and commit to a healthier you in 2016! The program developed by Wild Trails encourages everyone, at any fitness level to get out and get active. The goal is to travel 200 miles in 3 months under your own power, whether that's walking, running, biking, swimming, paddling, or any other aerobic activity. You can start at any time and you'll track and record your own activities on the Wild Trails website. Once you log 200 miles, you're in the club and will receive a membership card. The incentive...(besides getting fit and getting outside to play), once you become a member and receive the membership card, you'll get discounts to use all over town. Also, at the end of each quarter, there will be a celebration at Lula Lake that includes a camp out, 5K or 15K race and BBQ. Go to Wild Trails 200 Mile Club website to learn more and get registered!
Self-Guided Tennessee Road Trip Adventures
The state tourism department, in partnership with regional tourism partners, developed 16 self-guided explorations through all 95 counties of the state as part of the Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways program. Southeast Tennessee is home to two: Pie in the Sky Trail and Tanasi Trail. Both trails begin in Chattanooga and wind throughout the region, highlighting popular tourism stops, small towns, cultural heritage sites, outdoor recreation and off-the-beaten-path Tennessee experiences. Maps and brochures for all 16 Tennessee road trips can be downloaded on the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development website or picked up at welcome centers across the state. A free app for each trail is available for Android and iOS.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Hiking Workshops
For those wanting to learn more about a trek on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), now's your chance! The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will offer 10 classes throughout North Carolina and Georgia in January and February 2016 for people interested in a long-distance hike. Courses will be taught by Hiker Education Accredited instructors, or individuals who have worked with the ATC to offer a comprehensive workshop that encourages enjoyment and protection of the trail. The courses will cover all aspects of planning a long-distance hike on the A.T., from essential gear, to the diversity of the Trail experience. Participants are encouraged to find their own personal approach to hiking the Trail, while also being well-prepared, responsible hikers. For class information and pricing click here.
Community News
U.S. Bicycle Route Finds its Way to and Through Chattanooga
Bicycle enthusiasts have something to get excited about! The United States Bicycle Route System plans to build over 50,000 miles of bicycle routes across all 50 states in an effort to connect America and create new opportunities for cross-country travel, regional bicycle touring, and commuting by bicycle. U.S. Bike Route 21 is a proposed cycling route that will travel from Kentucky, through the Scenic City all the way down to the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. The portion of the route from Atlanta to Chattanooga is now open. The route travels 161 miles along scenic back roads in northern Georgia, and connects with the Silver Comet Trail, which is a non-motorized concrete path built over former rail lines to form the longest paved multi-use trail in the U.S. The portion connecting southeastern Tennessee to Kentucky is expected to receive official designation from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials this spring. U.S. Bike Route 121 is also in the works, which will connect Chattanooga to Nashville. Bike Walk TN is the organization leading the charge on developing the U.S. Bicycle Route System in Tennessee. For a map of the proposed U.S. Bike Routes across the nation and to learn more, click here. Now dust off that saddle and make some time to get out and ride!
2016 Upcoming Events
January
19 Rapid Learning Kayak Skills and Roll Class
21 Winter Workshop-Planning A Winter Hike
28 Winter Workshop-Fresh Water Snorkeling
28-31 Lookout Wild Film Festival
February
2 Rapid Learning Kayak Skills and Roll Class
4 Winter Workshop-How to Poop in the Woods
6 Storm the Fort Bouldering Competition
8 Learn to Ride a Bicycle
9 Rapid Learning Kayak Skills and Roll Class
11 An American Ascent-Film Screening
13 Cupid's Chase 5K
15 Street Cycling 101
18 Winter Workshop-Navigate with Map and Compass
20/27 Survival Preparation and Skills Course
25 Winter Workshop-Wetland & Stream Restoration
March
1 Rapid Learning Kayak Skills and Roll Class
3 Winter Workshop-The Adventure of Weather
4-6 Chattanooga Marathon
14 Learn to Ride a Bicycle
21 Street Cycling 101
April
9-10 Garden Expo
29-30 Blue Ridge Trout Festival
30 Latin Festival
May
15 Night Run Chattanooga 5K