Snooper’s Rock is a popular location to catch a Chattanooga sunrise and possibly see some cloud inversions.
Snooper’s Rock is well-known for its panoramic views of the Tennessee River and surrounding mountains. But did you know that many people visit early in the morning to catch the sunrise here too? Keep reading to learn more details about this experience.
Where Is Snooper’s Rock
Snooper’s Rock is located inside of Prentice Cooper State Forest Park on Suck Creek Mountain. With nearly 7,000 acres, this park is home to lots of wildlife which are hunted during certain seasons. This park is also known for off-roading and hiking. The Cumberland Trail also stretches through Prentice Cooper.
The entire park’s road system is gravel. So, it takes about 15 minutes to get to Snooper’s Rock from the park entrance. Be mindful that your vehicle will get dusty from this trip even at the low speeds requested. There’s a parking area by Snooper’s Rock where you’ll then hike down to the rock less than a quarter of a mile. Vehicles designed for off-roading can drive down the road beside this area, but please use the parking area if you do not have a vehicle suited for off-roading.
When to Catch the Sunrise at Snooper’s Rock
Look up the time of the sunrise for the morning you plan to go. And consider that you’ll be able to see the sun rising from Snooper’s Rock closely after this time. I suggest planning to arrive at Snooper’s Rock 30 minutes before the time forecasted for the sunrise. That will allow you time for unforeseen delays, and you’ll be able to enjoy the vibrant colors of the pre-sunrise.
Prentice Cooper Park says that it’s open from sunrise to sunset, however the gates open at 5:30am EST so you can get in to see the sunrise. Plan accordingly so that you’re not stuck outside the gate waiting to get in.
When NOT to Visit Prentice Cooper
Keep in mind that seasonal hunting is held in Prentice Cooper Park. These hunts are usually conducted in the fall from September through December. So, check their website for hunting dates before you go to make sure you can safely see the sunrise. During hunting events the park is closed to the public.
Camping for Sunrise
Prentice Cooper also has two designated camping spots. So, if you’d rather stay the night and wake up early to catch the sunrise without a commute, this is an option. Check their website for details on camping in Prentice Cooper. I have not camped here before, but I believe you need to call the park to reserve a campsite.
The Reality of Sunrise at Snooper’s Rock
Now, even though it’s a popular spot for seeing the sunrise in Chattanooga, I must say it’s not what I expected.
Sunrise
First of all, this spot is pretty popular. I was surprised at how busy it was on a holiday Monday morning. There were 4 other people there in addition to myself. Now, this may not seem like a lot, and in the grand scheme of things it’s not. But considering the long drive and early hours required for this, it was surprising to see this many people here. We still had plenty of space to keep to ourselves, but note that you may not have the entire place to yourself here.
Lastly, the sunrise was somewhat a disappointment. It was a clear day, no clouds in sight. But I learned that Snooper’s Rock is not high enough for a vibrant sunrise. What I mean is, the mountains across the river where the sun rises from, sit a little too high in comparison to Snooper’s Rock. So, you’ll see the vibrant colors of the sun coming up, but the sun doesn’t come over the mountains for you to see until after those colors have faded. See below the photo of the pre-sunrise colors versus the actual sunrise.
Cloud Inversions
Now don’t write off seeing the sunrise at Snooper’s Rock just yet. This spot is a great place for cloud inversions. Cloud inversions are when clouds appear inverted below you instead of above you. More common in the colder months, they are created by unique weather combinations concerning air temperature and moisture content. Longer nights and no drastic weather fronts heighten the possibility of seeing one of these highly-sought cloud inversion occurrences.
I’ve only seen two here in Chatt (cause typically I’m not out early or late enough) and both were on this section of the river. The tight river valley weaving between the mountains is part of the perfect environment for cloud inversions. So, if you want to experience this natural phenomenon, definitely visit Snooper’s Rock for sunrise to increase your chances of seeing some.
In Closing
Although Snooper’s Rock doesn’t offer the best sunrise in Chattanooga, it’s still worth the drive and trek to enjoy the sunrise anyways and possibly see a cloud inversion. Be sure to watch the short video of my experience here for sunrise. And let me know in the comments below if you’ve ever caught a sunrise here. Also check out more to do from here at Snooper’s Rock and where you can catch the best Chattanooga sunset (below). Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
