Chickamauga Dam Lock Kayak Tour by Chattanooga Guided Adventures
Recommended by 99% of travelers
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Chattanooga, USA
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Experience the awesome power of Chickamauga Dam by kayaking through its lock
- Meet your guide at Chattanooga’s Tennessee Riverwalk
- Enjoy around three hours of kayaking, including the slow descent in the lock
- This tour provides a kayak, paddle, and safety equipment
What's Included
- Kayak, Lifejacket, Paddle, Guide, Group Throw-bag, Group Towline, Group First Aid Kit, Kayak Light
- Private transportation
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- River Park Boat Ramp3PWV+FW, Chattanooga, TN 37406, USA
We meet at the Hubert Fry Center Boat Ramp off of Amnicola Road. Directly Across the Street from the Coca-Cola Bottling plant. You cross over the RR tracks and will see a boat ramp on your left. Park next to the bike share station in single car spots. https://goo.gl/maps/AXhGy8LmqjuCVbDi9
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.9:00 am
What To Expect
1
Chickamauga Dam Tennessee River Park
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Natalie_E
Our guide Russ was a fantastic, considerate, knowledgeable, and engaging leader and tour guide. I have kayaked many times before, but our international exchange student had not. Her English is quite decent, but still limited. Russ explained everything clearly and made sure she understood, for her enjoyment as much as for her safety. Going through the dam lock was exciting and surprising – we couldn't believe how quiet it was for something so enormous involving so much water! We had the benefit of a gorgeous day, too.
Reviews
5.0
based on 74 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Richard_T, Oct 2025
Great guide and really an enjoyable experience going through the lock. Pace was nice so we could all easily stay together.
Amanda_R, Aug 2025
It was a unique experience getting to be in the dam when they let the water out. Very interesting experience learning how the dam worked.
Natalie_E, Aug 2025
Our guide Russ was a fantastic, considerate, knowledgeable, and engaging leader and tour guide. I have kayaked many times before, but our international exchange student had not. Her English is quite decent, but still limited. Russ explained everything clearly and made sure she understood, for her enjoyment as much as for her safety. Going through the dam lock was exciting and surprising – we couldn't believe how quiet it was for something so enormous involving so much water! We had the benefit of a gorgeous day, too.
Laura_G, Aug 2025
Zach was awesome !! Great tour he was extremely knowledgeable!!
I would recommend!
Thank you very much
Roger_H, Jul 2025
Excellent guide and very interesting and fun going through the lock. Want to bring back a group to do it some time.
Teri_L, Sep 2024
We weren’t able to kayak around the dam but had a beautiful day on the river. Brandon was an amazing guide and I would recommend the trip to anyone interested in a relaxing and fun kayaking experience.
Shannon_B, Aug 2024
Our guide was great and informative! Enjoyed a beautiful day on the water. Guide was patient and going through the Lock was a really neat experience.
Sara_G, Jul 2024
Really enjoyed learning about the area from Zach, our guide. It was a very calm outing, which was perfect for us. Going through the lock is such a cool experience! Great morning.
Adam_H, Jul 2024
It was a great ride down the river. Zach was an amazing guide, such a great person to spend the day with and learn about the history of the area. Easy to talk to and very down to earth.
Theresa_B, Jul 2024
The entire trip was amazing. Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area, history or the area and the wildlife that we came across. If you haven't been on this trip yet here is you sign to do so!!
anthony_s, Jul 2024
Our guide Zach was incredibly professional as well as properly prepared. Learning the history of the lock and the TVA was explained very well. The experience of going in the lock was breathtaking. Would recommend
Melinda_C, Jul 2024
Our Sunday morning kayak tour through the lock and dam was an interesting and fun experience! We enjoyed being part of a small group and Brandon was a great guide!
Pamela_K, Jun 2024
We had a relaxing morning paddling on the Tennessee River. The tour was just the right amount of time. It was a very interesting experience to see how the lock worked on the river. Brandon, our guide, was kind and helpful!
Chanon_D, Jun 2024
This was a great experience! Brandon was such a wonderful guide and helped me make such lasting memories with my son! We will be back for sure!
mdc5673, Jun 2024
Amazing tour!! What a nice experience. Our guide, Zackary, was very knowledgeable and very nice. I can’t say enough about what a great time we had.
Kirsten_D, Sep 2023
Great trip with lots of information! Zach was very knowledgeable and provided some great historical information on the dam. He was patient and answered every question that was asked. We thoroughly enjoyed the paddle over to the dam, going through the locks and the paddle downstream as well. Zach was great at communicating expectations so we knew what to do. Would go again in a heartbeat - such a neat experience.
From $85.99
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Chickamauga Dam Lock Kayak Tour by Chattanooga Guided Adventures
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