Chattanooga has amazing offerings for folks of all levels of mobility to explore. For a list of accessible options within the city, click here! For an even more rugged experience, keep reading. From picturesque trails to accessible parks and recreational activities, we want everyone to feel the thrill of Chattanooga's natural wonders. As we blossom into one of the most beautiful seasons in this region, we celebrate adventure, one accessible experience at a time. 

Booker T. Washington State Park: All-Terrain Wheelchairs, ADA-Specific Canoe & Kayak Launch, + More 

All-terrain wheelchairs enable park visitors with mobility impairments to access and enjoy various outdoor recreation areas. These specialized wheelchairs, free for both children and adults, can be operated independently or with caretaker control. To ensure availability and enhance your experience, Booker T. Park recommends requesting a wheelchair in advance, although same-day requests are possible if a chair is not already reserved. The request form is available here: [https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/all_terrain_wheelchair_request]. Once visitors are acclimated to the chair, they get to tour a brand-new interpretive trail with a ranger, where they learn the park history and take in scenic views, making their way to an observation deck. 

The all-terrain wheelchair donated to Booker T. Washington State Park is part of a collaboration between the National Association of State Park Directors, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, and Tennessee State Parks to expand access to parks and public land. 

In the park, keep an eye out for wheelchair friendly kiosks which illustrate the history of black educator and leader Booker Taliaferro Washington (for whom the park is named). The 353-acre park has three wheelchair-height historic kiosks to tell parts of Washington’s story to park visitors. 

For those who love water sports, the park offers an ADA-specific canoe & kayak launch area near the main fishing pier, making access to Chickamauga Lake more streamlined. 

“The State of Tennessee is working hard to make our parks more accessible for all people and with the addition of the All-Terrain Wheelchairs, it allows folks to experience the great outdoors in a way they couldn’t before,” says Park Ranger Robert Thomas, who has been an outstanding advocate for better accessibility in the park. 

Red Clay State Historic Park: History + Paved Interpretive Trail 

Red Clay State Historic Park spans 263 acres and is rich in history. It was the last seat of Cherokee national government before the forced relocation in 1838 (The Trail of Tears). Between 1832 and 1837, eleven general councils were held there. The park features Blue Hole Spring, a natural landmark where water emerges from a limestone ledge to form a deep pool that flows into Mill Creek. This spring provided water for the Cherokee during their ceremonies and council meetings. 

The park offers paved trails so that wheelchairs can traverse the area as well. The Interpretive Trail has views of the Cherokee Homestead, including the Council House, Corn Crib, Barn, Blacksmith Shop, Farmhouse, and sleeping huts. 

Cloudland Canyon State Park: Action TrackChairs 

Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon is one of Georgia's largest and most scenic parks. This natural wonder features canyons, sandstone cliffs, caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodlands, and abundant wildlife. The park offers ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The park offers more than 25 miles of hiking trails with some of the most stunning views in the Southeast.  

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Aimee Copeland Foundation and All Terrain Georgia, provides free high mobility all-terrain wheelchairs. These unique wheelchairs have rotating treads like a tank instead of wheels, enabling users to navigate various terrains. Action Trackchairs undergo rigorous tests in mud, sand, snow, and water to challenge their functionality. This chair can provide freedom and independence to explorers and adventurers, even in tough terrain. 

To book an Action TrackChair, you must follow specific steps, including submitting ID, taking a tutorial, and passing a test on the information—all available online.

Enterprise South Nature Park: Accessible Picnics + Paved Trails

Enterprise South Nature Park is a serene and expansive natural retreat located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This 2,800-acre park offers a diverse range of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts, complete with natural trails, outdoor workout equipment, mountain biking trails, picnic areas and a dog park. 

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the Army Ordnance Department needed more ammunition plants. Enterprise South, which is dotted with concrete TNT storage magazines rising sleepily from under the thick, piney undergrowth of the forest, is just that. The site was officially decommissioned in 1993 and this incredible park opened in 2010.  

The park has 9 miles of paved pedestrian/bicycle trails. The visitor center, parking lots, two bathrooms, and picnic area 4 are ADA accessible. On the Alltrails app, it is rated one of the most wheelchair-friendly parks in the area. 

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center: Drive Through Loop + Accessible Wetland Trail 

Reflection Riding is a unique nature education center situated at the base of Lookout Mountain. This picturesque spot features scenic trails, classes focused on native animals, a native plant nursery, and campfire concerts. The extensive campus is a mosaic of wetland, forest, and grassland ecosystems, reflecting the marked biodiversity in this area. The 10 miles of on-site trails connect to National Park land that extends to the top of Lookout Mountain. 

Drive Through: Reflection Riding welcomes members and visitors to drive through the property if exploring on foot isn’t possible. You can call ahead or let welcome services staff know when you arrive. Reflection Riding Loop is a scenic driving trail 3 miles that runs through the park and lets visitors experience a series of landscapes consisting of pastures, deep forests, meadows, bottomland, and sweeping vistas. 

Explore: They also offer the Blue Heron Boardwalk, an ADA-Accessible trail that takes visitors through the heart of the center’s seasonal wetlands and along the edge of Lookout Creek. 

Paved Greenways

Chattanooga Riverwalk

The Tennessee Riverpark's Riverwalk spans 16+ miles through downtown Chattanooga, extending to the Tennessee Riverpark in the north. The trail winds from historic St Elmo neighborhood and along the edge of the Tennessee River, paralleling active railroad tracks and passing under the highway. The main trail heads north through wooded and suburban areas, continuing past Amnicola Marsh and ending at the Tennessee Riverpark at the Dam. 

South Chickamauga Creek Greenway

The South Chickamauga Creek Greenway offers miles of scenic trails through eastern Chattanooga and East Ridge. It branches off from the Chattanooga Riverwalk across from the Bug Play Walk, and you must cross under the highway to begin this section of trail. It winds through parks, commercial areas, and neighborhoods. A highlight section begins at Sterchi farms (ample parking) and includes elevated boardwalks over wetlands. It runs all the way out to Camp Jordan, but this includes some connector paths along sidewalks. If traversed continuously, the Riverwalk combined with South Chickamauga Greenway is the the longest wheelchair-friendly trail in Chattanooga. 

Wolftever Creek Greenway  

 The Wolftever Creek Greenway in Collegedale offers over 4 miles of paved scenic trails with fun features like the Imagination Station Playground, a dog park, and artistic benches. Enjoy a stroll past fountains, planters made from old wagon wheels, and birdfeeders, or stop by the whittling bench.