Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour with Chattanooga Guided Adventures
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Chattanooga, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
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.
- Wade out into the Tennessee River with a local guide
- Receive full use of a kayak, life jacket, and group throwbag
- Learn about the history of the area and the importance of the bats
- Watch as 100,000 grey bats fly from their cave into the night
What's Included
- This trip runs on EASTERN TIME. All equipment provided.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Macedonia Boat RampSouth Pittsburg, TN 37380, USA
THIS TRIP RUNS ON EASTERN TIME. Meet us at the Macedonia Boat Ramp in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. https://maps.app.goo.gl/x1twfzVpwh8xNG6v7 Our guides will have kayaks in the grassy area by the boat ramp. Arrive 10 min prior to trip to sign waivers. Gps coordinates 34.9911881, -85.5975727
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Question (1)
Q:Are the kayaks single or double occupancy?
A:Both single and tandem kayaks are available. Please let your guide know your preference upon arrival.
May 2023
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Tara_T
Went in April, wind made first part of trip a good work out., but not too strenuous. We saw Osprey and their nests up close, and one that just caught a fish. The sunset was beautiful and long lasting. We also saw 2 trains go by which was fun. When the bats came out the lake went quite still and quiet. I guess the insects were doing their best to not get eaten. Our guide Margaret was very educational and it was a wonderful experience. Bring sunglasses, something to pull long hair back and maybe a dry change of clothes for after. I highly recommend it to others and hope to bring other people to the spot again.
Reviews
4.9
based on 299 reviews
Lorian_M, Apr 2026
What a calming and beautiful experience. Anne was such a great guide. If you’re thinking about this tour I’d highly recommend.
Charlene_S, Apr 2026
Pretty easy kayak trip. The bats were definitely the highlight of the short journey. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable.
Filiberto_L, Apr 2026
We very much enjoyed the sunset paddling experience, let alone the experience of seeing the bats leave the cave in the evening in droves! It was amazing!
Youlonda_W, Apr 2026
Worth every moment. The guides were phenomenal. Very informative and entertaining. The bats at the end was breathtaking. Great family experience.
Tara_T, Apr 2026
Went in April, wind made first part of trip a good work out., but not too strenuous. We saw Osprey and their nests up close, and one that just caught a fish. The sunset was beautiful and long lasting. We also saw 2 trains go by which was fun. When the bats came out the lake went quite still and quiet. I guess the insects were doing their best to not get eaten. Our guide Margaret was very educational and it was a wonderful experience. Bring sunglasses, something to pull long hair back and maybe a dry change of clothes for after. I highly recommend it to others and hope to bring other people to the spot again.
Renee_P, Mar 2026
You need to have experience kayaking! They expect you to stay close to other boats, turn frequently in the water and stop and reverse. So no experience necessary is false. The lake has a current you fight to go where you want and stay in one place when you stop. The trip could have been cut in half by starting later and just kayaking to and from the bat cave v out to two other places and stopping. The caboose guide- I think her name was Casey- was fantastic and very encouraging. If it had not been for her I probably would have been in tears by the end. The lake is gorgeous.
Matthew_C, Mar 2026
We saw osprey and we think greens as well as bats. It was a great tour our guide was very patient and tried the tour to what we wanted to see. He also provided some history about the area
Brock_R, Mar 2026
It was a very fun trip! For my first time kayaking they were able to help me figure it out. Saw bats and many other wildlife.
Lisa_S, Sep 2025
Exceptionally warm and personable guides who had great enthusiasm for what they do. Informative, fun and a beautiful experience.
Dawn_P, Sep 2025
A Very Relaxing Way to end your day enjoying the sunset and bats! We saw a beaver, an egret and lots of bats!
Laura_W, Aug 2025
A lovely, surreal experience. Luke is a wealth of knowledge. The sunset on the water was beautiful, and we got to see lots of bats. I highly recommend. We had a great time!
Esly_E, Aug 2025
The guys were super fun and helpful! Highly recommend they make you feel super comfortable and the end experience is amazing. Quite a workout though
Jennifer_B, Aug 2025
Great kayaking tour and the bat's flying out of cave with the most beautiful sunset was so amazing. Both the guides were very knowledgeable and gave us an experience that we will not forget !!
Laura_S, Aug 2025
This was our first time ever kayaking, we had a blast! The instructors were truly amazing!! We definitely recommend!!
Joshua_H, Jul 2025
Definitely a bucket list item. Kayaking in low light is relaxing on return paddle to dock. Thanks also to our guides Brandon and Luke.
Erin_W, Jul 2025
Beautiful experience. The guides were friendly and informative. Even after some thunder delays we still were able to see the emergence.
scadousteau, Jul 2025
No bug spray needed. The bats eat them!!
This was a beautiful evening out on the water! Our guide was great and they provide all the equipment. Would highly recommend this! Great activity for everyone!
Mariah_L, Jul 2025
Watching the sunset on the water was breathtakingly beautiful. Getting to see the bats fly by was definitely a highlight.
Angel_G, Jul 2025
We did not see the horde of bats we expected but it was still great. The guides Brandon (especially Brandon) and Katie were wonderful. The weather could not be beat. We would definitely do this activity again.
Jennifer_J, Jul 2025
Great time!!! Guides were knowledgeable and friendly! Good for beginners or experienced kayakers. It is a pretty amazing sight - not scary at all in case you were worried.
Susan_G, Jul 2025
Really organized, educational and fun kayaking adventure. Learned the history of the bat cave and area, as well as wildlife on the lake, including the bats. Wonderful experience to quietly float on the lake and watch the bats emerge. Very peaceful and neat experience!
Hannah_C, Jul 2025
It was a lot of fun. The whole family enjoyed it. Seeing all those bats come out and fly around all the kayaks was so cool.
Nicole_v, Jun 2025
Good time, good tour guides, you can tell they really care about showing you the bats and giving a good experience.
Richard_P, Jun 2025
Amazing trip/time. Our guides made this experience great. We have done alot of things while in Chattanooga and this was by far our best experience. Memories created for a lifetime.
Rebecca_S, Jun 2025
It was a wonderful experience. We all enjoyed learning a bit more about the history of the area with Luke and Ryan. The only suggestion for improvement is to delay the great information until all can hear.
Stephanie_R, Jun 2025
Super fun experience, the tour guides do everything they can to make sure you have a great time, stay safe, and stay dry. The tour guides also offer a lot of interesting information on the history of the area and know a lot about the bats. The bats themselves are exciting to watch; a ton emerge and fly over the water all around you for about 10 minutes
William_W, Apr 2025
This was very relaxing kayak trip. Seeing the bats exit Nickajack cave was very cool. Tiur guide Luke was entertaining and informative.
Caron_G, Apr 2025
This was a spectacular experience. Anna & Luke were great guides. We had an easy trip into the lake where we learned all sort of interesting things about the local wildlife. The setting was perfect, the weather was perfect and the sky was perfect. The feeling you get as the bats emerge is so unique and breathtaking. This outing certainly exceeded expectations!!
Amy_P, Oct 2024
I loved being on the water for the sunset. We only saw a few bats, maybe 5 and I was expecting a lot more. I didn’t realize that later in the season there was less chance to see them. The guides were Great!
Todd_R, Oct 2024
Beautiful weather and sunset but minimal bay activity possibly due to being late in the season. We went on 10.12
From $85.99
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour with Chattanooga Guided Adventures
299
2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$85.99
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Chattanooga, USA
More attractions near Chattanooga, USA