Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:
Bicycle Tour of TN Riverwalk Extension June 6
Enjoy a leisurely paced, guided Bicycle Tour of the Tennessee Riverwalk extension from downtown to the foot of Lookout Mountain in historic St. Elmo. Starting at the Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge park, the 8 mile round trip ride will take you over the Walnut Street Bridge, to the 21st Century waterfront, then to Blue Goose Hollow where the trail continues away from the city through industrial areas with breathtaking views of the river and Lookout Mountain.
Ride is rated as easy to moderate and is family friendly. Please no training wheels, and children must be able to confidently ride a bike for the distance. Helmets are required for all riders and can be provided. Bicycles are provided from a gracious grant from Chattanooga Bicycle Club and Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga. Cost: Free. Reservations required in advance. Email Outdoor Chattanooga or call 423-643-6888 to find out more and get registered for the tour!
Introduction to Mountain Biking June 10
Join Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center and Outdoor Chattanooga for a special introduction to mountain biking course on Saturday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m. The course begins with bike fit and field practice of common trail features before heading out for a guided group ride on the beginner friendly doubletrack trails on Reflection Riding's property. The trail ride is approximately 7 miles. This program is intended for people who are comfortable riding, but want to learn basic skills for off-road riding. Reflection Riding Admission: $10 for adults 12-65, $7 for children (appropriate for ages 10 and up with adult). Registration required in advance. To register, please email Reflection Riding or call 423-821-1160 ext. 0.
Family Funday at Greenway Park June 11
Pack a picnic, load up the family and come to Greenway Farms Park to have the ultimate Family Funday full of activity! Outdoor Chattanooga will provide equipment for families to try archery, paddle the creek by canoe or take a self guided nature hike between the hours of 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 11. All activities meet at the archery range by the dog park. A liability release form will be required for canoeing and archery. Severe weather or changes in water level may cancel or delay this program. For more information email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.
All ages can take aim at the outdoor archery range located by the dog park at Greenway Farms. Outdoor Chattanooga staff will provide all the equipment and instruction for this activity. Available between 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Cost: free | first come, first served. Just show up, take aim and give archery a try!
Outdoor Chattanooga will provide all the equipment needed to paddle the creek at your own pace including tandem canoes, PFD's, and paddles. Canoes are available from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m at the boat ramp behind the gardens. Cost: $25 per canoe | first come, first served. We can only accept cash or check on location.
Guided Downtown Kayak Adventure June 12, 16, 19, 26
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a guided kayak adventure of downtown Chattanooga on the Tennessee River on June 12, 16, 19 or 26 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Our guide staff will provide basic instruction and help you get acquainted with our stable recreational kayaks and other equipment before launching from the north shore for a leisurely paced and beginner friendly paddle around landmarks such as Maclellan Island, the Bluff View Arts District, Ross' Landing and downtown's historic bridges. Open to adults and kids ages 8 and up. Paddlers ages 8-13 must paddle in tandem with an adult (limit: 2 kid spaces per trip). Cost: $35 for Adults / $25 for kids ages 8-13. Guides and equipment are provided. Reservations required in advance as space is limited. Email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888 to reserve a spot today!
Rock Hop Creek Snorkel June 13 and 27
Rock Hop Creek Snorkel is a kid-centric, family friendly activity to see what we can discover as we hike up a local creek to swim and snorkel in a clear swimming hole on Tuesday, June 13 or 27 at 9:00 a.m. each day. Bring your own mask, snorkel, or goggles. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Personal floatation devices are provided. Registration required in advance. Trip details provided upon registration. Cost: Free. Inclement weather or high water levels will cancel. Learn more or register for this event: email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.
More Outdoor Chattanooga Events
This Month's Local and National Outdoor Adventure
National Trails Day is a nationally coordinated event designed to unite all muscle-powered trail activities with the goal of connecting more people to trails. Each year, on the first Saturday of June, American Hiking Society and the trails community invite Americans of all ages and abilities to find their own adventure and discover their unique story at one of the thousands of events hosted throughout the country.
Lace up your hiking boots, air up your bike tires, dust off your work gloves, slip on your trail running shoes, grab your paddle, or saddle up your horse and HIT THE TRAIL! Adventures are meant to be shared. National Trails Day is a great opportunity to meet new people in your area and share a fun experience on a local trail. Share your adventure with the nation using #NationalTrailsDay and with us using #OutdoorChatt. Young or old, inexperienced or expert, there's a trail and a National Trails Day event to suit the interests of every individual. Happy Trails to You!
How will you celebrate National Trails Day?
Tennessee State Parks will host free, ranger-led hikes at all 56 state parks to celebrate National Trails Day!
National Trails Day Celebration at Enterprise South Nature Park will entertain the whole family with a variety of free activities in the park from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day at Cloudland Canyon State Park with a variety of activities including guided hikes for just human, humans and their furry friends, guided horseback rides, wild cave tours, and sunset strolls. Find out more about all the activities being offered at the park here.
Celebrate National Trails Day at Fort Mountain State Park! Explore the diverse trails and environments that the park has to offer and participate in a variety of children's activities. $1 - $5 plus $5 parking.
Did you experience this local adventure? Got suggestions for next month's local outdoor adventure? We'd love to hear about it! Share your stories and pictures with us at info@outdoorchattanooga.com
Community Events
River City Sessions at Lula Lake June 9
If you're like us, we love music, but don't love the crowds associated with Riverbend and Nightfall. Lula Lake Land Trust offers a unique alternative on their core property known as River City Sessions, on Friday, June 9. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and guests are welcome to hike and explore the trails before the event. Enjoy music by The Unknowns starting at 5:30 p.m. as you hike and relax by Lula Lake. Then head back to the main stage by 7:00 p.m. to enjoy one of the hottest duos in town, Mountain Creek House Fire and the truly talented and hugely popular headliners, Caney Creek Company. Beer and wine will be available for purchase for $5/glass. Lupi's Pizza Pies will be on site baking up some great pizza for purchase as well. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. Purchase tickets in advance here.
Learn to Row Summer Camp June 19-23, 26-30
Chattanooga Junior Rowing's Learn-to-Row Summer Camp is designed for kids ages 14-18. Experienced coaches will introduce novices to the rules of rowing, proper technique in the boat, strength and conditioning, and team building activities all within a fun, relaxed environment. After summer, rowers have the option of staying with the team while they practice and race the rest of the year. Learn to Row Summer Camps are offered weekdays, June 19 through July 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. For more info, email Jack Fish, program director of Chattanooga Junior Rowing.
More Community Events
June
2-4 USMS Open Water National Championships
TVCC Paddle School
3 Orienteering 101 @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
3-4 Lula Lake Open Gate Weekend
4 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
9 River City Sessions at Lula Lake
Night Hike @ Cloudland Canyon
10 Knot So Fast @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
10-11 Mullberry Gap's TYMBR Series Weekend
11 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
12-16 Junior Ranger Summer Camp @ Cloudland Canyon
16-18 Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race
Girls at Play Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Clinic
17 Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tour
Star Party @ Cloudland Canyon
Orienteering 101 @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
18 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
19-23 Chattanooga Junior Rowing Learn to Row
23 Night Hike @ Cloudland Canyon
24 Knot So Fast @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
Pedal for the Red
24-25 Lula Lake Open Gate Weekend
Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
25 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
26-30 Chattanooga Junior Rowing Learn to Row
July
1 Orienteering 101 @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
2 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
3 Pops on the River
3-7 Chattanooga Junior Rowing Learn to Row
7 Night Hike @ Cloudland Canyon
8 Knots So Fast @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
9 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
10-14 Chattanooga Junior Rowing Learn to Row
15 Chattanooga Hero's Run/Walk 5 Miles
Orienteering 101 @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tour
16 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
17-21 Chattanooga Junior Rowing Learn to Row
21 Night Hike @ Cloudland Canyon
21-23 Girls at Play Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Clinic
22 Knots So Fast @ Cloudland Canyon
Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
23 Beginner Mountain Bike Ride @ Cloudland Canyon
24-28 Chattanooga Junior Rowing Learn to Row
29 Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point
Star Party @ Cloudland Canyon
August
4 Night Hike @ Cloudland Canyon