Top Chattanooga Outdoor Activities

With as many as 100,000 endangered grey bats coming to roost around the caves of Nickajack Lake, this kayaking tour near Chattanooga offers an exceptional opportunity to watch them on their nightly hunts. You’ll visit the Nickajack Bat Cave and Wildlife Refuge in the Tennessee River and paddle out to the bat cave. While these animals take to the sky during sunset, you’ll learn about the local efforts made to protect and preserve the species.

Go whitewater rafting in Tennessee with this half-day adventure along the Ocoee River. After a short safety introduction, board a private bus for a ride through the Cherokee National Forest. Climb aboard the raft and experience more than 20 class III and class IV rapids while descending the river gorge. Enjoy plenty of opportunities to swim, if you wish, on this nature-filled escape from the city.

Discover Chattanooga from the water with an electric Boat rental. Navigate the serene Tennessee River at your own pace, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and iconic downtown views. This eco-friendly, easy-to-drive boat is ideal for families, couples, and friends looking for an unforgettable day on the water. - Captain your own electric boat—no boating experience required - Enjoy activities like swimming, fishing, or simply relaxing on the water - Bring your pets and pack snacks for a personalized adventure - Take in breathtaking sights beneath famous bridges and along the waterfront

The Ocoee River formed naturally without any of the undercuts or sieves present in most waterways. For our rafters that means we can push the boundaries of what a non-professional can experience. At OAR we train for longer then any other company. We are also the only company that requires each guide to complete an EMR certification as well as a Swiftwater Rescue class. This enables us to confidently do things on the water other companies can't and take guests that other companies won't.

Discover the dark side of Chattanooga's storied past on this thrilling walking ghost tour. See the city's spookiest haunts alongside a local and professional guide for a tour as haunting as it is historical. Hear stories of lurking spirits and make a few stops along the way to take photos or potential supernatural beings.

Discover Chattanooga from the sky with a private helicopter tour. Meet your pilot guide for a private flight over downtown Chattanooga including popular landmarks like the Tennessee River, the Chattanooga National Cemetery, and AT&T Field. Customize the tour if there’s anything in particular you’d like to see and enjoy a bird's eye view of the city.

Go white water rafting in Tennessee with this half-day adventure on the Ocoee River. Get your adrenaline pumping during this seasonal excursion along 10 miles (16 kilometers) of rapids, including class III and IV rapids. A riverside picnic lunch is also included, so you don't have to worry about packing snacks. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate.

Experience a bird's eye view of Chattanooga with a thrilling helicopter tour. Meet your pilot for a private helicopter flight that passes several local landmarks including Downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee River, and the Chickamauga Dam. Admire views of the Tennessee Aquarium and Lookout Mountain during the flight. Customize the itinerary according to your interests.

Get a new perspective on Chattanooga with a rafting adventure tour on the Middle Ocoee River. After a safety demonstration, set off on a white water rafting excursion through the scenic Cherokee National Forest. Experience class III and IV rapids as you descend the river gorge. Paddle through the rapids during this exhilarating river adventure.

Explore the serene waterways of Chattanooga and Chickamauga Lake with a self-captained GoBoat rental. No boating license is required, making it accessible for everyone. Enjoy a peaceful day on the water in a whisper-quiet electric vessel designed for comfort and convenience. Perfect for families or groups, these boats accommodate up to four guests (4 singles, or 2 doubles), complete with built-in cooler space for your favorite snacks and drinks. Guests receive a local map for easy navigation, ensuring a stress-free adventure on the lake. - Self-captained rentals available for up to 4 guests (4 singles, or 2 doubles). - Eco-friendly electric boats for a quiet day on the water. - Hassle-free booking with exclusive guest rates. - Enjoy built-in cooler space for refreshments on board.

The rushing waters of the Middle Ocoee River are your playground during this whitewater adventure. Climb into a kayak and paddle down the Middle Section of the Ocoee River through Chattanooga National Forest with a guide. Those new to this adrenaline-filled sport will find the pre-launch safety briefing and orientation helpful. Paddle through more than five-miles of the river where you’ll encounter 270-foot drops and Class III/IV waves.

The Tennessee River’s Chickamauga Dam is a marvel of engineering, holding back floodwaters while producing hydroelectric power. Experience this impressive structure up close by kayaking through the dam’s lock on this remarkable guided tour. Over the course of around three hours, you’ll paddle into the lock, watch the gates close, and slowly sink down some 50 feet before paddling back out into the river.

Perfect for those fascinated by the supernatural, this 1.5-hour ghost hunt through UTC's Campus and Citizens Cemetery uses high-tech equipment to increase the chances of communication with restless spirits. Search for specters in Chattanooga locations reputed to be haunted. This tour is not suitable for children or those of a sensitive disposition.

This escape room adventure transports you back in time to 1944 in Chattanooga as you work to thwart a deadly plot, letting you learn about the region's history in a fun and engaging way. You’ll immerse yourself in the story of Chattanooga’s famous railroads and World War II as you attempt to find the villain scheming to sabotage trains carrying troops and war supplies, for an activity that will keep the whole group engaged.

The Ocoee River is one of the most popular destinations for whitewater rafting in Tennessee and flows through the heart of the Cherokee National Forest. On this tour, you’ll get a full day on the water, with full instruction and lunch included. Get your adrenaline pumping as you tackle Class III and IV rapids, admire the views as you cruise downstream, and raft down part of the ‘Olympic section’.

During this small-group, guided Chattanooga food crawl, you’ll discover top delicacies in the downtown district. Sample dishes at up to four curated dining locations for the same cost and time as your standard dinner out, including optional wine pairings. Choose from three itineraries: West Village, Electric Bike Lunch Tour, and Art and Southern Cuisine.

Solve problems, conquer challenges, and work together with your teammates to get out of an inheritance-themed escape room in Chattanooga. As you solve a mystery by finding clues and decoding messages, your guide creates a realistic experience that’s sure to thrill Chattanooga area locals and visitors alike.

Challenge your group with an immersive escape room that’s more engaging than a typical game night. Work together to solve puzzles, decode clues, and break out of a realistic prison setting before time runs out. With detailed scenery and a shared objective, it’s a fun way to test your teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Discover London in 1963 with this gaming experience in Chattanooga. Test your problem-solving skills with an admission ticket to this escape room which puts you in the role of a MI6 secret agent. Track down the villain and immerse yourself in a historical experience with this one-hour gaming session. This tour is a shared experience, meaning multiple groups can book into the same escape room.

Take your rafting skill to the next level with this private guided excursion on the Ocoee River. Slip on your helmet and life vest and set off on a Puma raft—this narrow, short raft rides the rapids differently than standard river rafts and guarantees an adrenaline-pumping adventure that will leave you thrilled. Take a break along the way to surf and swim during a calm stretch of river and pick up tips and techniques from your expert rafting guide.

Discover Chattanooga's intriguing history and vibrant culture on a self-guided scavenger hunt walking tour. This interactive adventure combines elements of a scavenger hunt and an amazing race, leading you through key historical sites such as the birthplace of the tow truck and the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame. Uncover fascinating stories while navigating through the city’s streets. Perfect for families, friends, or couples, this tour allows you to enjoy Chattanooga like never before—at your own schedule and convenience.

Celebrate the magic of the season this year with Holly Jolly Hunt. Holly Jolly Hunt is an app based scavenger hunt that you can play anywhere of your choosing. Explore the city and look for holiday related items, both traditional and not so traditional. Take a photo through the app to score points for your scavenger hunt team. Perform fun, holiday challenges that will bring laughter to your team. See your score on the leaderboard compared to other teams from all over. Holly Jolly Hunt is guaranteed to provide lasting holiday memories. Whether you play with friends, family, or even co-workers, Holly Jolly will put a smile on your face for the rest of the year!

What a way to explore the town of Chattanooga, by a private horse and carriage tour, where the driver always brings a dog as a copilot. You'll pass by several historical spots, like the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel built in 1908, and then the aquarium, and Tivoli Theater. This tour lasts about an hour, and you can have a group of 7 people total.