6 Best Family-Friendly Hikes in Chattanooga

Posted by on Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 at 11:23am.

Now that the weather is finally cooling down, it’s a perfect time to hit the trails for some family fun in the outdoors! But what are the best hikes in Chattanooga to bring the kiddos on? Check out our top six favorites below: 

1. Cloudland Canyon State Park 

Featuring 30 miles of trails and two beautiful waterfalls, Cloudland Canyon State Park is an awesome option for a fall-weather hike with the family. The well-marked trails include a whole lot of stairs, so if you’re not comfortable going down those or carrying smaller children down them, it may not be your best bet. BUT if you can handle that, it’s only a short, easy hike to get you to a gorgeous waterfall. Let the kids play on the rocks and enjoy the view! Don’t forget to bring $5 to pay for parking when you enter the park, and we’d also recommend packing a picnic lunch and enjoying it at one of the many sitting areas before you start your hike. Plus, this park is dog friendly, so you can bring your favorite pup along for the fun! For more information, visit gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon

2. Cravens House

This is a great one for the older kids who can appreciate some history along with their hike! Overlooking Chattanooga atop lookout mountain, Cravens House offers a chance to experience Civil War history and also a place for children to run around in the grass and enjoy the view. If you are up for a hike, the path from Cravens House to the Bluff Trail and Sunset Rock is a beautiful one—although one of the more difficult of our suggestions. Sunset Rock via Bluff Trail is a 3.4 mile steep, but short out and back trail that is completely worth the effort for the view! You can bring dogs, on a leash, and also pack a picnic for when you reach Sunset Rock. Just be sure to pick up after yourself for the next person to enjoy it. Also, a short drive from here is Point Park where you can learn more about Chattanooga’s Battle Above the Clouds and check out some amazing views. 

3. Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center

Just a few miles outside of downtown Chattanooga, Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center is a mecca for amazing outdoor opportunities for families including great hiking/walking trails, picnic areas, educational programs, boardwalks and a tree house for the kids to explore. There are fees to get in ($10 for adults $7 for seniors (55+) and children, 4-11 years old), but there are enough activities to make this an all-day family event. Try the Indian Profile Trail, which is an easy 2.7-mile loop offering beautiful views and an opportunity to scope out wildlife. If you don’t get enough wildlife there, the kids will love the Native Animal Exhibit, which includes animals like red wolves, a bald eagle, bobcats, sandhill cranes and more.

4. Guild Trail 

Although St. Elmo’s Guild Trail doesn’t look like much from the get-go, there are definitely some fun things for the kiddos to enjoy! This easy, flat trail offers a simple hike that leads you past a few big boulders (ample climbing opportunity for the little ones) across wooden boardwalks and right under the path of the Incline Railway. Wait long enough and you can wave to the passengers while they travel by. If you want to make a day of it, this trail will lead you directly to the lower parking area of Ruby Falls. Make your way up the stairs and across the highway (there are crossing guards directing traffic—no worries) and check out Ruby Falls! If not, when you’re finished hiking, turn back around on Guild Trail and head back to your car to explore St. Elmo. You can go for a ride on the Incline or just stop by for some Clumpies ice cream. That’s a win for everyone! 

5. Foster Falls

We couldn’t possibly make this list without another waterfall hike! There is a short walk to the overlook, which is great for small children, or if you’re able there is a short, but steep hike down to the falls and swimming hole. The kids will love climbing down rocks and across the swinging bridge on their way down and then playing on the edge of the water. You can swim at the base of the falls, but it’s pretty chilly, so we’d recommend letting the kids throw rocks and enjoy the view instead. For more information, visit rootsrated.com/chattanooga-tn/hiking/foster-falls-and-fiery-gizzard.

6. Enterprise South Nature Park 

This 2,800-acre park offers SO many options for every skill level. If you want to bring the kiddos and get their feet wet in hiking, there are even children’s trails with short loops for short legs. There are several picnic areas if you want to pack a lunch. Bonus - Enterprise South Nature Park has a visitor’s center at the entrance which has air conditioning and restrooms! For more information, visit parks.hamiltontn.gov/148/Enterprise-South-Nature-Park.


 

Search Homes Near Hiking Trails

Looking to live in an area where you can get out and about? Take a look at some homes in the Chattanooga area that offer great opportunities to be close by to local hiking hot spots!

Residential in 37409 & more... from $100,000 to $800,000 - Page #4

205 Properties Found. Page 4 of 12.
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1516 Adams St #114, Chattanooga

$499,000 - 1 Bed, 1 Bath, 930 Sf

MLS® # 1382494

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829 Greenwood Ave S 105, Chattanooga

$495,000 - 3 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,038 Sf

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829 Greenwood Ave S 121, Chattanooga

$495,000 - 3 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,038 Sf

MLS® # 1372644

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1447 Caldwell Lane, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 2 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,957 Sf

MLS® # 1386181

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899 Cherokee Blvd # 117, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,772 Sf

MLS® # 1386167

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899 Cherokee Blvd # 113, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,772 Sf

MLS® # 1386166

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899 Cherokee Blvd # 109, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,772 Sf

MLS® # 1386163

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899 Cherokee Blvd # 125, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,772 Sf

MLS® # 1377348

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899 Cherokee Blvd # 121, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,772 Sf

MLS® # 1377347

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899 Cherokee Blvd # 105, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,772 Sf

MLS® # 1377343

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899 Cherokee Blvd # 101, Chattanooga

$489,900 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,772 Sf

MLS® # 1377341

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1067 Montague Place, Chattanooga

$489,000 - 4 Beds, 5 Baths, 2,275 Sf

MLS® # 1371897

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1575 Adams St, Chattanooga

$479,000 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,541 Sf

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163 Canyon Villa Rd, Rising Fawn

$475,000 - 3 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,229 Sf

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5403 Ansley Drive, Chattanooga

$475,000 - 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,800 Sf

MLS® # 1386298

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761 Burnside Place, Chattanooga

$474,900 - 3 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,000 Sf

MLS® # 1387758

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2201 Old Ringgold Rd, Chattanooga

$474,700 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 2,706 Sf

MLS® # 1388826

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Photo of Listing #1389151

3412 Travertine Lane, Chattanooga

$460,000 - 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 2,231 Sf

MLS® # 1389151

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