Booker T Washington State Park is a hidden Chattanooga gem that has great fishing spots, miles of hiking and biking trails, and fewer crowds than other nearby Tennessee State Parks.
These days it can be challenging to find an outdoor space that isn’t super crowded, let alone a Tennessee State Park. But this hidden Chattanooga gem is just that. This is the Booker T Washington State Park. With beautiful water views, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a great fishing pier, this park has some peace and quiet for everyone. Keep reading to learn the history of the park and what you can expect to find there today.
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History of Booker T Washington State Park
Booker T Washington State Park is named after, you guessed it, Mr. Booker T Washington himself. A quick history lesson will remind you that Washington was born in a unique time. Born into slavery, he was freed by the age of 9 as the Civil War concluded. Growing up, he struggled to find better education. Excelling in school, Washington was eventually asked to be the principal of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, for which he is well known. He spent his career teaching at the school and helped pave the way for better education for African Americans. Washington firmly believed that the betterment of a group of people that had just been freed from slavery was found through hard work and better education, not politics and civil rights movements.
Activities at Booker T Washington State Park
There are nearly 9 miles of trails throughout the 353-acre park. The trails are for both hiking and biking alike. Other outdoor activities include multiple playgrounds, an Olympic size swimming pool, volleyball court, and basketball court. There are plenty of picnic shelters throughout the park as well. And a boat ramp at the back of the park allows easy access to Chickamauga Lake.
Other than hiking and biking, the next most popular activity in the park is fishing. There’s a large fishing pier near the back of the park that’s well-loved by many. And last but not least, there are plaques throughout the park that share the history of Booker T Washington himself. Here’s a map of the park so you can see where all the amenities and trails are located.
Stay at Booker T Washington State Park
The Oaks Group Camp has 6 cabins and a dining hall that you can reserve online for a large group camping event of up to 100 people. Or you can reserve the Tuskegee Airmen Group Lodge which accommodates up to 50 people. Learn more about the Oaks Group Camp or Tuskegee Airmen Group Lodge on the park’s website.
Key Tips for Your Visit to Booker T Washington State Park
On a visit to Booker T Washington State Park a few years ago, I met with friends and we hiked a portion of the outer loop. Even though all the trails are for hikers and bikers, I noticed that there were about half and half of both. Be cautious of this because the trail is not very wide. The bike riders we encountered were very courteous and announced themselves as they slowly approached. But of course, I can’t say it will always be this way.
The outer loop trail that we experienced was fairly flat and easy. There are some small inclines and descents through dried creek beds but nothing major. There’s even a few small bridges that cross over the wet creeks. I have not hiked the inner loops yet, but I’m guessing they’re a little more strenuous. I’ll have to visit again at a later date and see so I can let you know.
We did not go out onto the fishing pier this trip. I have walked out there a few times in the past and found it to be quite nice, even as a non-fisher like myself. However it does get crowded pretty quickly. On our hike, there was a point where we were across the water from the pier and could see that it was full of people. We went on a Saturday afternoon so I’m sure that’s to be expected.
Conclusion
And now you know why Booker T Washington State Park is one of Chattanooga’s hidden gems. It’s a smaller park compared to the others around, but it also tends to be less popular and therefore not as busy as the rest. Plus, it’s closer to town than you’d think, with only a 20 minute drive from downtown Chattanooga. Here’s the location of the Booker T Washington State Park. It’s right down the road from Harrison Bay State Park, which I have a couple of different guides for, linked below.
Have you visited Booker T Washington State Park? Let me know in the comments how your experience was and what you loved most about this park. I’d love to hear what you think about this little gem. Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
Explore Nearby:
- Easy Chattanooga Hike at Harrison Bay State Park
- Scenic Chattanooga Paddle at Harrison Bay State Park
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