Tennessee River Blueway facts for kids
The Tennessee River Blueway is a super cool 50-mile (about 80 km) water trail. It's perfect for anyone who loves to paddle a canoe or kayak! This special part of the Tennessee River flows between two big dams: the Chickamauga Dam and the Nickajack Dam. Along the way, it goes right through downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee and the amazing Tennessee River Gorge.
Local groups like the city of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River Gorge Trust created this blueway. They want paddlers to explore and enjoy this beautiful river section. As you travel, you'll find quiet camping spots right by the water. You'll also discover fun museums, tasty restaurants, and lots of activities in Chattanooga. It's a great mix of city fun and wild nature!
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Exploring the Tennessee River Blueway
The Blueway offers many exciting places to visit. You can start in the lively city of Chattanooga. Then, the river takes you to peaceful spots like Williams Island. This island is a special place for history and wildlife.
Williams Island: A Historical Gem
After leaving the city, the Blueway leads to Williams Island State Archaeological Park. This island is a large, 450-acre (about 1.8 km²) piece of land. It divides the river channel and is home only to wild animals. Long ago, from about 1000 to 1650, several Native American tribes lived here. Today, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust looks after Williams Island. It's a safe place for birds and other wildlife. It's also a favorite spot for people who love watching birds or studying nature. Archaeologists also find many interesting things here from the past.
The Amazing Tennessee River Gorge
Next, you'll enter the incredible Tennessee River Gorge. This part of the river is about 26 miles (about 42 km) long. It's a deep canyon carved out by the Tennessee River itself. The Gorge has a unique landscape with steep cliffs and diverse land forms. This special environment provides homes for over a thousand types of plants. You can find ferns, trees, grasses, and beautiful flowers here. It's also full of different kinds of wildlife. Some of these plants and animals are very rare or even endangered. One example is the mountain skullcap flower. People have lived in the Gorge for at least 10,000 years! Many old sites show signs of their presence.
Nickajack Cave and Its Bats
Farther down the Gorge, you'll find a hidden spot where you can see Nickajack Cave from the water. You can't go inside the cave. However, biologists from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) study the bats that live there. They even encourage people to "bat watch"! Canoeists and kayakers love to float by at sunset. With binoculars, they can watch hundreds of bats fly out of the cave. It's an amazing sight to see these small, busy creatures start their night. The Blueway has many places to camp and other interesting spots. Always check a map for more details!
Map of the Tennessee River Blueway
View a Google Map
Gallery
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Early morning on the Blueway
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The beautiful Tennessee River Gorge
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Camping by the river
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Paddling on the Blueway
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An osprey flying over the water
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A great blue heron fishing
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A turkey vulture soaring
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A raccoon near the river
