Paddling and Boating in the Gorge

Trips down the Tennessee River Gorge offer spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing as you float through the geologically unique canyon. The Gorge and its public boat ramps can accommodate your adventure whether you’re traveling by kayak, canoe, SUP, or a motorized boat. Check out the map below to plan your next adventure!

River Access

A series of public access points are scattered throughout the Gorge. The first launch site is the Suck Creek Boat Ramp at mile mark 453.3. The next public boat ramp is 8.9 miles downstream on the south side of the river at the Raccoon Mountain Pump Station, mile marker 444.4. A little over 4 Miles downstream is Sullivans’s Landing Boat Ramp at mile marker 440.0. 7.5 miles downstream at mile marker 432.5 is the Bennett Lake Boat Ramp, then Hales Bar Marina at mile marker 431.0.

River Flows

The flow of the Tennessee River varies based on TVA’s upstream Chickamauga Dam and downstream Nickajack Dam. You can check the dam release schedules for Chickamauga and Nickajack Dam below.

Click the buttons below for the dam release schedules-

For more information about the various types of paddling in the Chattanooga area, check out Outdoor Chattanooga’s page

At TRGT, we work to provide and maintain access to the Gorge for our community. To help us continue providing trails, campsites, and guided trips for our community, please consider donating below.

Thank you!