Kayaking Raccoon Mountain from Chattanooga: Fall colors guided

The 1,100-foot walls of the gorge rise straight up from the water as you paddle.

Kayak 4.5 miles downstream through Raccoon Mountain's protected forest on the Tennessee River Gorge, guided in English with private van pickup from Chattanooga and hot cider or hot chocolate included. The guide meets you at Sullivans Landing, loads kayaks into a Mercedes Sprinter van, and drives to the put-in. Children are welcome from age 7.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak trip through fall foliage

• Meet guide at Sullivans Landing
• Check in and load van
• Drive to Raccoon Mountain
• Kayak 4.5 miles downstream
• Enjoy fall scenery and forest
• Drink hot cider or chocolate

The experience

Raccoon Mountain sits in the heart of the Tennessee River Gorge, a 17,000-acre protected forest where 1,100-foot walls of rock and forest surround the water. The guide meets you at Sullivans Landing, handles the kayak setup, and drives the group upriver in a private van before you paddle back downstream. The route takes about 3 hours total, including the drive and the paddle itself.

You paddle through fall foliage and the dramatic landscape the gorge is known for. The kind of scale that makes the paddling feel small and the day feel large. The guide navigates the current and points out what the season brings. At the end, before heading back to Chattanooga, you get a choice of hot cider or hot chocolate to warm up.

What’s included

• Private van transportation from Chattanooga to Raccoon Mountain.
• kayak and paddle setup.
• live guide in English.
• hot cider or hot chocolate after the paddle.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Chattanooga Guided Adventures

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads the whole experience, so you follow along without navigating or planning the route yourself. This works well if you want someone else handling the logistics and the current while you focus on paddling and the scenery.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 17 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Tennessee River Gorge like when you're paddling through it?

The Tennessee River Gorge, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the East, has 1,100-foot mountains and forest walls rising directly from the water on both sides. The 4.5-mile paddle takes you through this protected landscape with fall colors reflected in the water around you.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this?

No. The guide handles the setup and leads the paddle, and the experience is suitable for all fitness levels. Children can join from age 7, and the guide speaks English throughout.

How does the transportation work?

The guide meets you at Sullivans Landing in Chattanooga, loads the kayaks into a private Mercedes Sprinter van, and drives the group to Raccoon Mountain for the put-in. You paddle downstream and return to the van for the drive back.

What's included in the price?

Private van transport, kayak and paddle setup, guide instruction in English, and hot cider or hot chocolate at the end of the paddle are all included.