Dunlap, Tennessee is a small town in the Sequatchie Valley that has plenty to enjoy for a day in the countryside.
If you’ve lived in the Chattanooga area for quite some time, you’ve probably heard of or visited Dunlap. But have you ever just visited to do fun things? There’s more to explore in Dunlap than you might expect. Continue reading to learn how to enjoy a fun-filled day in Dunlap, Tennessee.
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What is Dunlap, Tennessee?
Dunlap is a small, farm town nestled inside the Sequatchie Valley which divides the Cumberland Plateau from Walden Ridge. Originally it was called Coops Creek, named after the main creek that runs through this section of the valley, but it was changed to Dunlap in the mid-1800s when the Sequatchie County was established. Dunlap is full of history due to its founding based in farming and coal mining. Today there’s still preserved coal mining history here to explore and the beautiful farmlands that have been passed on through generations.
Parks to Explore in Dunlap, Tennessee
Coke Ovens Park and Museum
First is the Dunlap Coke Ovens Park and Museum. This 83 acre property sits on the original site where a local coal company worked over 100 years ago. Today you can still see the remains of their coke ovens as well as other artifacts and replicas scattered around the property. Coke is a crucial by-product (carbon) of coal that is key to strengthening iron into steel.
Near the front is a replica of the old Commissary Building. (The original was torn down and sold for lumber when the company went bankrupt.) Inside you’ll find hundreds of artifacts and replicas that walk you through the history of coal mining in the area and local Sequatchie Valley history. They even have the largest collection of historic mining photographs in the region. Note, the museum is only open on the weekends between Easter and Thanksgiving.
Outside there’s multiple hiking trails that follow old railroad track beds, tougher mountain trails, and even a segment of the Trail of Tears. Be sure to stop inside the museum first to get a brochure with a map to help you navigate the well-marked trails.
The Coke Ovens Park and Museum is run strictly by volunteers and utilizes donations to keep the park maintained and the museum growing. Although entry into the park and the museum are both free, donations are welcomed. One of their biggest fundraising events is the annual Bluegrass Festival. Musicians come from all around to perform in their large amphitheater located just behind the museum building. This is something I’ll have to check out one day and share with you when I do.
Coops Creek Greenway
Coops Creek Greenway is a trail that starts near the split of Highway 28 and State Road 127 and ends 1.8 miles later behind the southern end of downtown Dunlap. The trail starts at Jones Drive where it follows Cordell Lane Branch until it crosses the main road and then follows its namesake Coops Creek till it ends at Spring Street. It’s a paved asphalt trail perfect for an easy walk or a short bike ride. Note, there’s no official parking area off Spring Street, but there is a parking lot at the Jones Drive end.
Be Adventurous in Dunlap, Tennessee
Have you ever wanted to try paragliding? Flying Camp Paragliding is located just atop Flat Top Mountain overlooking the Dunlap in the Sequatchie Valley. They offer tandem flight packages so you can get a bird’s eye view of the valley and see first hand why this spot is so popular for the sport. Pilots travel far and wide to fly here and visit the Tennessee Tree Toppers next door to take in all the beauty of Dunlap in the Sequatchie Valley. I have yet to try this adventure but hope to one day!
Where to Eat in Dunlap, Tennessee
King Donuts
Grab breakfast at King Donuts on your way out to explore. This small donut shop offers breakfast sandwiches and coffee drinks as well as, you know, donuts. They have a variety of donuts to choose from so the options are endless. We snagged a half dozen donuts here on our way out and they were delicious! (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of them before we ate them all, but don’t worry, you can see them in my YouTube video.)
Cookie Jar Cafe
Need a lunch break? The Cookie Jar Cafe is the go-to spot for a good lunch. Not only will you get to enjoy a Southern, homestyle meal complete with desserts like cupcakes and pies, but there’s also farm animals to enjoy. While you wait for your table (seriously, you might have to wait an hour) you’re encouraged to walk out back and explore all the animals they have in a petting zoo style setup. Goats, sheep, pigs, and miniature donkeys are what you can expect to find back here. And of course enjoy the beautiful views of the Dunlap countryside scenery.
Game Shack Cafe
Need a coffee break? Head to downtown Dunlap to the Game Shack Cafe. Not only does this little coffee shop offer some great coffee drinks and a peaceful spot to sit and relax, they also have retro video games to enjoy. That’s right, you can sit at one of the video game tables and sip your coffee while playing a classic video game! This is such a fun and unique spot that should definitely be on your Dunlap visit checklist.
Sunset and a View of Dunlap, Tennessee
If you time it right, catch the sunset on your way back home at the Sequatchie Valley Overlook on Highway 111. This is one of my favorite overlooks in general and an excellent sunset spot. You might even see some hang gliders or paragliders taking off from the Tennessee Tree Toppers or Flying Camp Paragliding just at the top of the mountain.
Tips for Visiting Dunlap, Tennessee
Dunlap is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga making it perfect for a day trip. There’s two easy ways to get there. You can take either State Road 127 up and over Signal Mountain to come into Dunlap from the south end, or you can take Highway 111 up and over Flat Top Mountain to come into Dunlap from the north end. Either way, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to get there.
Remember, Dunlap is in the Central Time Zone whereas Chattanooga is in the Eastern Time Zone. This is important to keep in mind for tracking time and the open hours of local businesses.
In Closing
There’s so much to do and explore in the small town of Dunlap, Tennessee. Make planning easier by saving this FREE Google Map of all the Dunlap Stops mentioned in this blog post. And if you want an even better visual of some of these places, watch the YouTube video.
Have you been to Dunlap, Tennessee? What are some of your favorite things to do here? Have you done something I missed or did you learn about a new spot from this list? I’d love to know in the comments below. Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
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