Chattanooga has always been perfectly situated to accommodate some of the best recreation in the country. Surrounded by wilderness, trees and cut with a river, Chattanooga boasts the perfect mix of metropolitan meets wilderness. It’s scenic and natural surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for any outdoor sports enthusiast, making it one of the most sought after recreation destinations of today. Yet, it always hasn’t been that way. For decades Chattanooga was home to a handful of outdoor sports enthusiasts, who began to build their brand around Chattooga’s outdoor offerings.
Back in the day rock climbers were forced to sneak onto private property to climb, and bikers were faced with forging their own paths and trails while compiling their own maps. The true ruggedness of the area didn’t attract recreation enthusiasts, because there simply wasn’t enough infrastructure to support the sports. No maps, trails, climbing spots, or guides, meant going solo if you were in town for a recreation endeavor.
It wasn’t until 2003, after decades of a “for-those-who-know’ attitude toward recreation, that more than a thousand people flocked to Chattanooga for an outdoor sports enthusiasts meeting. It was one of the largest events the city had ever seen, and began Chattanooga’s transformation into the recreation city of today.
The meeting led to a meeting of the minds, with retailers, recreationists, guides and hospitality professionals all believing that Chattanooga boasted an untapped tourism resource. With a few specialty companies, enough accommodations and a proper infrastructure put in place, the group believed the sky could be the limit for Chattanooga outdoor recreation.
In 2005 the Southern Off-Road Bike Association pledged to build more than one hundred miles of bike trails in the area. The first trails that were built were instantly touted as some of the best trails in the United States, and immediately put Chattanooga on the map. From there the rest was history.
Chattanooga invested heavily into outdoor-sports in the following years, seeing the large swath of bike trails expand, and attracting outdoor sports related business. From dedicated climbing areas to river excursions, Chattanooga and its retailers have grown the business into the multi-millionaire dollar local business’ presently found in Chattanooga. Thanks to savvy marketing and a continued commitment to growth, Chattanooga has become the recreation mecca of today—a haven for outdoor enthusiast and a dynamic environment for those seeking to push their limits.
What began as a hidden gem in the 1990’s has flourished into the must visit destination of present. In 2015 it is estimated that Chattanooga’s outdoor recreation was responsible for inserting more than a billion dollars into the local economy. The city is consistently featured in travel magazines, online blogs and featured in outdoor recreation publications around the world.
From a city without trails, to one of the most sought after trail systems in North America, Chattanooga literally carved itself into the American landscape one trail at a time. To plan your trip, or learn more about what you can do in Chattanooga, visitors are asked to visit Chattanooga’s tourism website.
