Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails Around Chattanooga, TN

Photo courtesy of RootsRated.com via Logan Foll.

There’s nothing like taking to the trails to enjoy the thrill of a hike with beautiful lakeside views, but why not make it more special by bringing your favorite companion along for the walk? For dog lovers all around, it may be difficult to find spots for adventure with your four-legged friend, so we’ve done the work for you! Chattanooga, Tennessee, has some sweet hidden treasures for you and your pup. Thanks to the proximity of numerous lakes, national forests, and historical spots, there’s a variety of options for a nice walk by the water. Check out some trail options to enjoy today!

Chester Frost Park

Our first trail highlight is Chester Frost Park, located right on Lake Chickamauga. This spot is perfect if you and your dog are beginning to go on outdoor adventures together. Chester Frost Park is a great spot to explore the outdoors and enjoy the historical significance of Chattanooga. There is a rich history tied into this park, including Jackson Chapel Cemetery, the first and oldest cemetery in the county. This park has various amenities, including a beach area off Dallas Bay, but unfortunately, you would have to enjoy the beach spot without your pup. Regardless, there are still amazing trails to choose from with great lake views. For hiking maps and more directions, check out their trail guides.

Cloudland Canyon State Park

A little further south of the city, just about 20 minutes from Nickajack Lake, is Cloudland Canyon State Park that houses beautiful woodlands, cliffs, deep canyons, and amazing waterfalls. This park provides a variety of trails for you and your pet ranging from short to moderate and strenuous. The peak in this park is 1980 feet providing an amazing overlook. This option would be great for those dogs that are trained and ready for a more rigorous hiking experience. It is required to keep your pet on a leash as there are steep ledges and cliffs along this walk. Your pet must be restricted to the trails as the park doesn’t allow access to other areas of the park. Visit their site for more information and trail guides. At this time, trail access is limited to 10 hikers at a time.

Enterprise South Nature Park

Photo courtesy of Enterprise South Nature Park.

Another great park to bring your pet along to is Enterprise South Nature Park. With over 2,600 acres of land, this park has a variety of trails featuring mostly moderate hills. We suggest this option if you and your pup are looking for a slightly more rigorous outdoor experience. You will also find a little secluded lake during your walk and a beautiful view of the water. Enterprise South Nature Park is a hidden gem where you will find few crowds compared to other parks in the Chattanooga area. This option will be great for both you and your four-legged companion to enjoy.

There are other options available in this area to visit with your pet. Check bringfido.com for other outdoor excursions. Whichever adventure you may choose for you and your furry friend, you are sure to have a great time in the Chattanooga area.

How to Practice Social Distancing at the Lake

Photo courtesy of A Storied Style.

There’s no sugar coating it — social distancing is a bummer. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, public life has been paused. Video calls have replaced all face-to-face interactions except for those who share our homes. Of course, such isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness. However, scientists recommend that to improve mental health in these times, spending time in nature is beneficial. In fact, rather than turning first to medication, some doctors are beginning to prescribe depressed patients with gardening projects. 

For those of us with lake homes, we’re well aware of the benefits of time spent in nature. It’s simply good for the soul. In these times, where social distancing is crucial, being on a lake makes it easier than ever to comply with these guidelines without sacrificing enjoyment. Below are several ways that you can enjoy your lake house while keeping your physical distance from others.

Walking Down Country Roads

Photo courtesy of Alabama Living.

Since stay-at-home orders have been passed around the country, many of us turn to daily walks as our remedy for cabin fever. When you’re living on a lake, these walks are much more scenic. While urban and suburban areas have concrete sidewalks for these excursions, many lake areas sit comfortably off country roads. They’re easier on your feet and showcase more greenery. Even better, you’re less likely to run into other people to dodge on your walk. 

Going Boating

Photo courtesy of Teva.

Although social events have been postponed, no one said we have to keep a six-foot distance from fish, ducks, and birds. You can still enjoy proximity to wildlife while obeying state guidelines. Now is the perfect time to spend time on the water. While it may not be warm enough to swim, you can still grab your fishing gear and try to reel in the big one. Whether you own a motorboat, canoe, or kayak, this is an excellent opportunity to spend time in both green and blue spaces at once.

Finding a Hiking Trail

Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville.

In most lake areas, you can find local hiking trails to enjoy some exercise and time outdoors. Although many are closed due to COVID-19, several trails remain open and have limited their capacity for visitors. To locate accessible greenways and nearby trails in your area, check out TrailLink.com and put on your hiking boots. If you have a furry friend, you may also want to check out BringFido.com for information on dog-friendly hiking paths. 

Watching the Sunset from the Boat Dock

Photo courtesy of Louisiana Travels.

If you have a boat dock, you already have a front-row seat to a beautiful, socially distant show. Without the glare of lights and intrusion of tall buildings, the sunset is much more visible from the lakefront. So when the clock starts inching towards 7:00 pm, grab a glass of your favorite beverage, prop your feet up, and enjoy the view. If you want to practice mindfulness while you’re there, consider bringing a yoga mat to your boat dock and going through a peaceful vinyasa flow as you watch the sky turn orange.

Reading on Your Patio

Photo courtesy of Suitcase of Happiness.

In these tough times, there’s a reason that book sales — particularly children’s books, adult fiction, and thrillers — have increased. In addition to having more time to read, people are looking for exciting stories to engage with while social distancing. If you live on a lake, you can read from the comfort of an outdoor sofa on your screened-in porch. With the sunlight streaming in, you may get so comfortable that you drift into a nap. 

Whatever your preferred pastime, we hope you find some ways to enjoy life on the lake — even while social distancing! 

Outdoor Fun At the Lake: Cornhole

Cornhole is a fun recreational activity similar to a bean bag toss game. It is played on a lawn and requires players to throw bean bags at raised platforms. This has become a very popular game to play at picnics, tailgating, and other social events.

The great thing about cornhole is that you can build a cornhole set with just a few supplies. Also, it takes hardly any time at all. In fact, you can build your set and start playing as soon as this weekend!

Regulations

The American Cornhole Association states that platforms must be 48 inches by 24 inches in a rectangle shape made from plywood of about one half an inch thick.

The front part of the platform will be about 2.5 to 4 inches in height, and the back will be about 12 inches or so off of the ground. Bags, according to regulation standards, need to be made out of a duck canvas filled with corn feed and can only be 6 inches wide.

Corn Hole BoardYou are able to purchase these bean bags online for about $30. There are also ones that are filled with plastic and that are weatherproof, so if you leave the bean bags out in the rain, they will not be damaged.

Fun to Play Anywhere, Anytime!

Cornhole has taken off in popularity thanks to its simplicity and ease of transport.

It is common to see cornhole sets while tailgating for sports, at local breweries and pubs, and is even commonplace in your typical backyard.

Cornhole also pairs well with grilling. Particularly at the lake, you are provided spectacular views while the game is being played!

Supplies That You Will Need

The following is a list of basic supplies to give you an idea of what you will need:

  • Two 24 inch by 48 inch plywood sections for the bean bag landing zone
  • Four 2×4 x 21 for the frame
  • Four 2×4 x 11 and a half pieces for the legs
  • Circular saw or jig saw
  • Drill
  • Router
  • Hardware for the frame

For fully detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to construct your own set, visit the Cornhole How-To website. In addition to the free information on how to build a set, the site also offers an e-book for $4.99. This book details advanced game techniques as well as step-by-step picture instructions.

Whether you’re having a picnic or a cookout, or simply a fun Sunday afternoon, cornhole can be fun for everyone involved. It should not take more than a day to build your set, and then you will be able to enjoy it any time you want.

For more family fun article, check out our stories about geocaching and the hottest summer must-have lake toys of last year!