Easy Chattanooga Hike at Harrison Bay

Harrison Bay State Park features one of the easiest hikes in the Chattanooga area due to its nearly flat terrain and vicinity to the Tennessee River.

If you’re looking for an easy Chattanooga hike and don’t want to have to scale the mountains, this is the hike for you. For the Chattanooga area, it’s unbelievably flat with breathtaking views of the waters of the Chickamauga Lake on the Tennessee River. Keep reading to learn more about this hidden Chattanooga gem, tips for your hike, what to expect, and more in this full guide.

Harrison Bay State Park

Harrison Bay State Park was the first Tennessee State Park, founded in 1937. Originally it was opened as a TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) recreational park in the early 1930s. There are 1,200 acres in the entirety of the park with nearly 40 miles of shoreline along the Chickamauga Lake which is part of the Tennessee River. The lake was created when the Chickamauga Dam was put in, which helped flood control for downtown Chattanooga. However, with the creation of this lake preventing downtown flooding came the submersion of the town of Harrison. Hence how the park received its name, Harrison, for the town that used to stand nearby, now lost in the waters below.

The park boasts many activities including beaches, volleyball and tennis courts, a golf course, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Along with these amenities, there’s hiking, bike riding, fishing, and camping opportunities galore. Not to mention, this park also has one of the most favored marinas in the area and a restaurant, Dockside Cafe.

Easy Chattanooga Hike

I have visited Harrison Bay State Park a handful of times in the past, but I had never hiked here before this visit. There’s a 4.5 mile trail called the Bay Point Loop Trail and I decided to give it a try. The trail runs almost completely along the shoreline with beautiful views of the water. And what makes this an easy Chattanooga hike is that it’s practically flat!

It’s common to find bikers and families hiking on this trail because it’s so easily accessible and an overall easy Chattanooga hike. Of course, 4.5 miles is long, even for a flatter hike, but you can easily make it an out-and-back hike by just turning around at any point. I’ve both hiked the entire loop before and just out-and-back. I suggest starting to the right side, especially if you don’t plan to finish the entire loop. Most people who hike this all the time prefer to start from the left side. The left half of the trail is not nearly as picturesque as the right half, therefore making the overall hike more rewarding by saving the best for last.

What to Expect on Bay Point Loop Trail

There’s a covered bench (pictured below) on the left half and one on the right half as well. The one on the right half has a clear view of Chickamauga Lake and the Tennessee River. You can rest and watch boaters fly by for quite a while. There’s additional jut outs towards the water, in some cases you’ll find a beach where you could wade right in!

The trail is mostly dirt and a little gravel. The only obstacles to really watch out for are tree roots. We did not encounter any fallen trees that had to be climbed over like in previous hikes elsewhere. I’m not sure if this means they maintain this trail well, or if it is because most of the trees in this part are smaller in circumference and not near a steep hill where erosion and lightning cause the most harm. Not too far into the loop on either side, is a cut-through. So, if you want to make it a smaller loop, you easily can. However, I don’t recommend this because you’ll be missing out on all the beautiful water views.

Bay Point Loop Trail Location

Getting to the Bay Point Loop Trailhead is simple. Just follow these directions:

1. Go in the main entrance of Harrison Bay State Park.
2. Once in the park, you are met with a fork in the road. Take the fork to the left towards the marina.
3. Follow this road a ways, you’ll pass the marina and the boat ramp. You’ll end up in the parking lot for boat trailers.
4. Head as far to the right as you can in this parking area. There are car parking spots lined along the trailhead.
5. Once you’re done with your hike, remember that this parking area is one way. Exit at the other end, not where you came in. The exit road meets back up with the main road you came in on so you can easily find your way back out.

The Harrison Bay State Park Star Walk

I want to include this as it’s a different type of easy Chattanooga hike that can be enjoyed while visiting the park. It’s a flat area as well and worth exploring while you’re here in the Harrison Bay State Park. 

Back to the main entrance of the park. When you first enter, you’ll see a gravel walkway to the left with a small gravel parking lot (or to your right if you’re seeing this on the way out). The gravel walkway is a half mile walking loop around native grasslands. In 2016, the Barnard Astronomical Society installed the Star Walk. Modeled after the original Grossmogl Star Walk in Austria, it was created to educate and pique interest in everyone to explore astronomy even at a beginner level. You can utilize the functions of this walk at any time, but of course nightfall would be the best time to truly observe the night sky and learn from what the sign topics have to offer.

I have completed this walk numerous times in the daylight, but have yet to utilize it for nighttime stargazing. But in the daytime, there’s also a viewing platform to observe the wildlife all around. I’ve seen rabbits and deer hiding in the tall grasses that surround the platform. If you love watching wildlife, I definitely recommend taking your time here because you never know what might pop out.

In Closing

I have hiked hundreds of trails in the Chattanooga area and Bay Point Loop is by far one of the longest trails you’ll find that’s really easy. In fact, I don’t think there’s a longer trail around here that’s this flat. The bonus of river views nearly the entire hike makes this easy Chattanooga hike worth the visit. 

Want to see the hike in video form? Check out the YouTube video of hiking Bay Point Loop.

Looking for more easy Chattanooga hikes that stay relatively flat? Check out:

Have you visited Harrison Bay State Park or hiked here? Let me know your thoughts below. Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!

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