Come Out and Play!
Outdoor Chattanooga News + Events August 2019
Outdoor Chattanooga's newsletter highlights the awesome outdoor activities happening in and around Chattanooga that will connect you to the outdoors and inspire you to come out and play with us!
Outdoor Chattanooga Events
Mountain to Town Downhill Bike Adventure
Saturday, August 3 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a guided downhill bike adventure that starts at the top of Lookout Mountain and ends in downtown Chattanooga. Enjoy scenic views of the city while cruising down the Guild Trail until it connects with the Tennessee Riverwalk and follows the shores of the Tennessee River into downtown. Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced guides will be with you during the ride providing support and instruction. You can use your own bike or borrow one of ours at not additional cost. Cost is $25 per person which includes guided tour with shuttle and use of bike if needed. Ages 10+ with participating adult. Must know how to confidently ride a bike.  Online registration  required in advance as space is limited.

Archers + Aces
Tuesdays in August | 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Game playing isn’t just for kids! We offer a lot of family-friendly activities throughout the year, so we decided to create one for adults only! Think: adult swim time in the pool, that’s the theme of our Adults only Archery sessions. These free indoor sessions offer grown ups the opportunity to take aim and try archery while playing games and socializing with peers. Each session we will offer different game themed targets to encourage commradery and friendly competition. Sessions occur at the Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park every other Tuesday in August from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. All sessions are walk-in and open to ages 30+. No reservation or prior experience required. All equipment and instruction provided. Cost: free. Leave the kids at home and join us for Adult Archery!

Rapid Learning Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Classes
Wednesdays in August | 6-8 p.m.
Outdoor Chattanooga's  Rapid Learning Kayak Program provides formal and equipped instruction to learn and develop whitewater kayaking skills. Now that the weather is warming and the sun is shining, we're headed outside to Chester Frost County Park to offer our Intro to Whitewater Kayaking Skills Classes at the lake every Wednesday starting May 1st through the end of September. We offer two sessions each Wednesday; first session is 6-7 PM, second session is 7-8 PM. No reservations, experience or equipment required to attend, and the first session is always free! You'll find us at the end of the swimming beach near the first boat ramp. For more info email Outdoor Chattanooga .
Paddle Smart Chattanooga
Tuesday, August 13 | 6-8 p.m.
Have you recently purchased your own kayak/canoe/SUP, but lack the confidence to get out and explore Chattanooga’s scenic waterways on your own? BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) and join Outdoor Chattanooga for an introduction to flatwater paddling course that will give you the confidence to safely and smartly paddle Chattanooga’s scenic waterways! Paddle Smart Chattanooga classes are taught by Outdoor Chattanooga’s experienced paddling instructors who share their knowledge and offer insight on the best ways to set up your boat, transport your craft, paddling techniques, navigation essentials, entry and exit practices, self rescue techniques, TN boater laws, understanding CFS-water flow and how it can affect you, safety precautions and resources for recreational paddling in the Chattanooga area. You’ll learn the basics to keep yourself safe in any scenario and proper trip planning skills to make the most of every water-based adventure!
Cost: $10 per person. This class is designed for participants who have and bring their own equipment. Loaner boats not available. Appropriate ages 10+ when accompanied by a participating adult. This class is held at Chester Frost County Park/ Chickamauga Lake.
Reservation are required in advance as class size is limited to 6 participants. Reserve online here or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Full Moon Kayak Tour
Friday, August 16 | 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a special full moon kayak trip on Chickamauga Lake. This is a leisurely paced guided tour around the islands and sloughs beginning at sunset and ending by the light of the full moon. Cost is $35 per person and includes all equipment, lights, and instruction. The trip is appropriate for ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. Some kayaking experience is helpful but not required. Online registration is required in advance as space is limited. Additional details are given once your registration and payment is complete. Call Outdoor Chattanooga at 423-643-6888 to learn more.

Lookout Creek Canoe Tour with NPS
Saturday, August 17 | 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in partnership with Outdoor Chattanooga for a FREE, 3.5-hour guided canoe tour to explore Chattanooga's Civil War waterways. The National Park Partners sponsor these free tours to give visitors the opportunity to paddle the quiet waters of Lookout Creek and the Tennessee River to learn about the rich Civil War and American Indian history associated with Lookout Mountain and Moccasin Bend from a National Park Ranger and historian. Online reservations open up 2 weeks prior to the scheduled tour date. Click the link to set up an account and make a reservation. Full tour details will be given with a reservation confirmation. Paddlers must be at least 10 years old and ride with an adult to participate. Some paddling experience is helpful but not required to participate. Participants must know how to swim and will be required to wear a lifejacket at all times on the water. Contact Outdoor Chattanooga at 423-643-6888 with questions.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of these free tours, and limited equipment, we will limit each user to participate in one guided canoe/kayak tour per year. We cannot accommodate individuals with their own watercraft(s) on this tour. These tours are intended to be guided and equipped with limited space in the shuttle vehicles and on the canoe trailers that transport people and equipment. Thanks for your understanding.  

Family Funday at Greenway Farm Park
Sunday, August 18 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Pack a picnic and load up the whole family to enjoy a full day of activity at Greenway Farms City Park. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide equipment for families to try archery or take a self guided hike. Canoes can be rented for $25 (cash or check only please) to explore the creek. All other activities are free. Appropriate for ages 5+.

Historic Kayak and Walking Tours of Downtown
Friday, August 23 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Outdoor Chattanooga are partnering to offer two FREE programs on Friday, August 23, 2019. The first program is a guided and equipped historical kayak tour around Maclellan Island beginning at 8:30 a.m. Then, at 11:00 am, a ranger will lead a 90-minute walking tour across Walnut Street Bridge, discussing the importance of Ross’s Landing. Both programs begin at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River Street in Coolidge Park. The kayak tour is made possible through the generosity of the park’s local philanthropic partner, the National Park Partners and requires advanced registration as space is limited to 10 participants . The walking tour does not require reservations and is open to anyone that wants to attend.

The following reservation and paddler requirements must be met prior to participating in the kayak tour: Participants must be 14 years of age or older, know how to swim and be under the 275lb kayak weight limit. To make a reservation, please visit Outdoor Chattanooga’s online catalog at http://bit.ly/outdoorchatt or call 423-643-6888.

Community Events
Sunset Guided Canoe Tours with Reflection Riding
Fridays, August 2, 16, and 30 | times vary
There are few better places to appreciate the sun setting over the Tennessee River than along Lookout Creek. Reflection Riding s' naturalists, Corey Hagen and Rachel Kelley, will guide this peaceful paddle, and show you how to identify the native species of plants and animals that thrive during the golden hour. Participants are required to be at least 16 years of age. Guides request that participants bring a water bottle and headlamp along with them. Reservations and payment required in advance.
Timber Roots
Saturday, August 10 | 3-11 p.m.
Lula Lake Land Trust (LLLT) is throwing an anniversary fundraiser to celebrate 25 years of hard work and 12,000 acres of conservation! The Timber Roots Music Festival will be held at the LLLT Core Preserve on Saturday, August 10 with gracious support from Riverview Foundation.

Who's gonna be there? Feature headliner Aaron Lee Tasjan , The Kernal , Caleb and the Gents , The Afternooners , and Spinster . Gates open at 2:00, the first band performs at 3:00 PM ET. The headliner wraps up at 11:00 PM ET. Food trucks and restaurant vendors will be available with an outdoor bar, hiking, raffle prizes, and more! Pull up a piece of grass, toss down a blanket, and enjoy Lula Lake with your friends and family. Tickets range from general admission to VIP and Camping Groups. *children under 12 are free*

  • Early Bird General Admission Tickets (limited) - $35 each
  • VIP Tickets include a variety of perks such as a private VIP bar, lounge, and bathroom - $85 each.
  • VIP Camping Tickets range from $100 - $125 depending on location, and tickets include the VIP perks plus you bring your tent and camp out after the festival.

Cherokee Cultural Celebration at Red Clay State Park
August 10-11 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
If you are looking for an authentic Cherokee experience, join Red Clay State Park for the Cherokee Cultural Celebration on August 10-11! There will be demonstrators from the Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Warriors of Ani Kituwah, Tommy Wildcat-Cherokee National Treasure, Storytellers, Artisans, Musicians, and plenty of traditional and contemporary foods. Admission: $5 donations per vehicle. Contact Ranger Erin Medley with questions 423-478-0339.

Saturday, August 17

If you've always wanted to learn how to mountain bike, but are unsure how to get started, this FREE Introduction to Mountain Biking at Lula Lake is for you! You'll begin with a skills course to learn the basics of mountain biking, and end the day getting out on one of Lula Lake's milder mountain biking trails. Reservations required in advance as space is limited to 18 people. Helmets are required, there will be some available to borrow. A limited number of bikes can be available for use, however there are not enough for everyone so if you own your own bike, bring it. This course is designed for adults and children age 12+. This is a free event, but donations are always welcome at Lula Lake. Call to learn more.

Swiftwater Rescue Course with TVCC
Saturday, August 24-25
Tennessee Valley Canoe Club will host an ACA Swift Water Rescue Skills course on the Ocoee River on August 24-25. Minimum requirements: students must be at least 16 years old to participate, be comfortable swimming in Class III whitewater and have the required gear for the class. The cost is only $50 per person and registration is required in advance due to the course being limited to 15 students.

Looking Ahead...Upcoming Events
August

September

October
Outdoor Chattanooga | 423.643.6888 | info@outdoorchattanooga.com | www.outdoorchattanooga.com