Flatwater
Tennessee River
Tennessee Riverpark Flatwater
The easiest water in the city. Launch downtown, paddle under the bridges, and take out whenever you feel like it.
4.0Miles
1.5–2Time
5mDrive
- Put in
- Ross's Landing
- Take out
- Riverpark ramp
Outdoors · Paddling
A River Runs
Through It.
Flatwater you can launch downtown, creek runs that come alive after rain, and Olympic whitewater an hour east.
All outdoorsSort
Water
5 runs
Flatwater
Nickajack Lake
Nickajack Lake & Blue Hole
Paddle into a flooded cave mouth where herons nest by the hundreds. Go at dusk in summer for the bat flight.
3.0Miles
2Time
30mDrive
- Put in
- Maple View ramp
- Take out
- Maple View ramp
Flatwater
Chickamauga Lake
Chickamauga Lake
Wide open water for distance paddling, with sheltered coves when the wind picks up on the main channel.
8.0Miles
3Time
25mDrive
- Put in
- Chester Frost Park
- Take out
- Chester Frost Park
Class I–II
North Chickamauga Creek
North Chickamauga Creek
A shaded creek run through the gorge that comes alive after rain. Flatwater at the bottom, real moves up top.
6.0Miles
2–3Time
18mDrive
- Put in
- Greenway Farm
- Take out
- Hixson boat ramp
Class III–IV
Ocoee River
Ocoee River — Middle
The 1996 Olympic course. Continuous Class III–IV on scheduled dam release — go with an outfitter your first time.
5.0Miles
2Time
60mDrive
- Put in
- Middle Ocoee put-in
- Take out
- Powerhouse
No Boat? No Problem.
Several of these runs have outfitters at the put-in who’ll rent you everything and shuttle you back.
Find local outfitters