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SPECIAL THANKS

We'd like to extend a special thanks to the following folks who helped us make this project possible:

We'd like to that our funders USDA Rural Development , Tucker Foundation, Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, the Cracker Barrel Foundation, our sponors, and the numerous other private and public donors that made this Web site and it's promotion possible.

MMA Creative
Thanks to Darrell Kerley, Jesse Kaufman, Donna Zec and all the Web site programmers at MMA Creative for nuturing the idea of this project and making it a reality. 

Thank you Randy Williams of the Upper Cumberland Development District for giving this project the Edge, and thanks to all our members and partners who have always participated with the Alliance, and supported our efforts to pursue a more inclusive vision for the region's future.  

 

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Natural Sites Natural Sites

North Chickamauga Creek State Natural Area

North Chickamauga Creek State Natural Area

North Chickamauga Creek SNA is one of the most natural things to do in near Chattanooga - one of Tennessee's most happening metropolitan areas. This 7,093 acre natural area will serve as an important trailhead for the 300 mile Cumberland Trail and is also a popular destination for kayakers.

North Chickamauga Creek is located in Hamilton and Sequatchie Counties. It is an outstanding deep gorge cut into the sandstone plateau of Walden's Ridge on the Cumberland Plateau. The gorge is approximately ten miles long with steep slopes, sandstone bluffs, and rich coves. A high diversity of plant and animal habitat exists in the gorge. Ten state and/or federally listed plants occur there. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons have also been reported there.  A mixed mesophytic forest combines with oak-hickory, and oak-pine forests to form a rich mosaic throughout much of the gorge.

Small pockets of old growth forest with towering tulip poplar, yellow buckeye, and basswood occur in remote locations where rugged topography has protected the forest from past logging. On the uplands and bluffs, there are oak-hickory and oak-pine forests, upland ponds, and sandstone glades and barrens. Riverside shoals and stream cobble bars in North Chickamauga Creek provide habitat for several threatened and endangered plants.

Things to do at TN's North Chickamauga Creek SNA


Hiking
The hike at the North Chickamauga State Natural Area is a little over 7 miles. The location catalogued on this map is at the trailhead on Montlake Road's switchback. Most hikers park one car here and one car at the Barker Camp Trailhead, so they have a ride to their second vehicle when the hike is finished.
Type Barker Camp Road, Dunlap, TN into Google Maps to see the location of this trailhead.

Camping
There are two places to camp at this natural area. You can camp at Stevenson Branch Campsite, about 4.5 miles from the Montlake Road Trailhead or at the Barker Camp Trailhead  - a little closer at about 2.7 miles. Make reservations on the Cumberland Trail Website

Paddling
This is a very popular paddling location with class IV and V runs. Check out the American Whitewater Website for more detail and beta so you can prepare for your trip. There are some great photos of the rapids on this website.

Check out North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy for more info to plan your trip 

For More Information

310 Montlake Rd.
Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379

Phone: (423) 842-1163
Website: http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/northchick/

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