Chattanooga has become a magnet for outdoors enthusiasts, and with good reason. For one thing, it is within an hour's drive of more hiking trailheads than any other city in the world. The area also provides boating recreation from whitewater paddling and rafting to lake and river cruising, fishing and sailing, plus some of the best rock climbing and mountain bike sites in the Southeastern United States.
Just for the hiking, check out the Cherokee National Forest east of the city, with connectors to the Appalachian Trail, or try the Pinhoti Trail passing from Alabama through Dalton, Ga. Wander through Cloudland Canyon and DeSoto Falls state parks in extreme northwestern Georgia and northeastern Alabama.
YMCAs
Area YMCAs have a variety of recreational offerings for individuals and teams, for both adults and children. Their numbers are: Downtown -- 423-266-3766 North River -- 423-877-3517 Hamilton Place -- 423-899-1721 James A. Henry -- 423-757-0665 Cleveland -- 423-476-5573 Rhea (Dayton, Tenn.) -- 423-775-0821 North Georgia (Ringgold, Ga.) -- 706-858-0590
The Cumberland Trail continues to be developed west and north of Chattanooga, adding to a host of possibilities, including the multisite South Cumberland State Park.
With Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Raccoon Mountain and Stringer's Ridge providing high-level trails close to town, the area is loaded with spectacular walkways, and the options range from strenuous to very easy.
Even in the valley of Hamilton County are the Tennessee Riverpark, Greenway Farm, Renaissance Park, the Brainerd Levee and Enterprise South's nature trails, among others. Some neighborhoods have their own walking paths.
Then there are kayaking and canoeing from fast to slow -- on the Ocoee River where the whitewater portion of the 1996 Olympics was held, and on the Hiwassee River, the Tellico, the Sequatchie, Chickamauga Creek (North and South) and even the big Tennessee. Outdoor Chattanooga (423-643-6888) regularly organizes group trips in and around the city.
Outdoor Chattanooga also often coordinates group bicycle rides, some with history passed along by rangers in Chickamauga Battlefield and at Moccasin Bend, and a variety of area cycling clubs provide a host of road, trail and competition options.
The area long has been a center for all kinds of recreation, including indoor pursuits such as bowling, boxing, gymnastics and racquetball. And the assortment grows from year to year.
From archery to Zumba, with geocaching and lawn mower racing in between, area residents and visitors can try many kinds of physical activity, some involving competition, some not.
The following list gives some specifics about where to go or whom to call for particular kinds of recreation:
Archery
Gear to buy, instruction and a practice range for adults and children are available at Choo-Choo Archery-Etc., 4270 Bonny Oaks Dr., 423-622-6849; at River City Archery, 1304 McCallie Ave., 423-551-3055; and at Archer's Choice Archery, 3889 Hixson Pike, 423-443-4138.
Auto racing
Chattanooga Region, Sports Car Club of America (www.crscca.com), including teen driving schools. Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip, 706-891-9831. One-third-mile oval dirt tracks: Boyd's Speedway racing on Saturdays, 706-891-6803 (www.boydsspeedway.net), as well as North Georgia Speedway at Chatsworth, 706-695-3313 (northgaspeedway.net), and Friday nights at Cleveland Speedway, 423-479-8574.
Badminton
Seniors play badminton and pickleball regularly at the Frances B. Wyatt Youth & Family Development center on Colville Street (423-757-5443 or Kelly Price at 423-240-1508), and some days each week at Red Bank Baptist Church. Seniors also play regularly on Wednesday mornings (10 a.m.-noon) at the Brainerd YFD center.
Baseball
There are many community associations for youth play. Also, there is the U.S. Adult Recreational Baseball League (email info.adultbaseball@gmail.com), which was aiming for about 20 area teams this year.
Basketball
There are community youth leagues, including offerings through Chattanooga Youth and Family Development centers and Upward programs in some churches, plus adult leagues through some recreation centers and area YMCAs. AAU/YBOA programs for girls and boys throughout the area, including the Tennessee Xtreme girls (Juan Hansford, 423-635-0999, or www.tnxtreme.com), Chattanooga Grizzliez (ages 7-17, Daniel Wright, 423-760-1873, or www.chattgrizz.org), Extreme Elite (Al Cantrell, 423-320-0451), Tennessee Tornadoes (Dan Ripper, 423-991-7477) and Chattanooga Elite (grades 4-11 boys, chattanoogabasketball.weebly.com).
Billiards/darts
Many area food and drink establishments offer billiards and darts competition. Among them, Chattanooga Billiard Club has two Chattanooga locations: downtown (423-267-7740) and East Brainerd (423-855-5200). The Greater Chattanooga Darting Association (www.gcda.org or email gcda@gcda.org) has league play throughout the area and hosts a big annual fall tournament, the Choo Choo Classic, benefiting Special Olympics.
Andrew Jackson, from Dalton, bowls during a bocce match against a team from Dekalb County, Ga., on Friday afternoon. The Georgia Special Olympics are being held in Dalton this weekend, bringing the games and about 1,500 athletes to the North Georgia region for the first time.Bocce
The ancient Italian cousin to lawn bowling can be played at Heritage Park in East Brainerd and at several private courts in the area. Dr. Frank Knight, chairman of the Chattanooga Bocce Club (www.chattabocce.org), is developing a four-court indoor clubhouse on Dodds Avenue. Contact him at z1boccez2@hotmail.com or 423-886-4179.
Bowling
There are leagues for every level from novice to elite and from children to seniors, as well as nonleague bowling. Area centers include Holiday Bowl Brainerd (423-899-2695), Holiday Bowl Hixson (423-843-2695), Leisure Time Bowling in Cleveland (423-728-2988) and Valley Entertainment Center in Dunlap (423-949-4089), which also offers roller skating. Pin Strikes (423-710-3530) at Lee Highway and Highway 153 provides laser tag as well as bowling.
Boxing
Amateur youth clubs include Red Bank Boxing (Skipper Fairbanks, 423-877-4113) and the Y-CAP program based on Central Avenue (Andy Smith, 423-847-7682). Joe Smith (423-400-8472) has been a USA Boxing regional representative and national vice president and was team manager for the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxers.
Climbing
In addition to a number of well-known outdoor rock climbing spots, the Chattanooga area has a group of centers that provide indoor climbing and classes. In the city itself are High Point Climbing and Fitness on Broad Street near the riverfront, 423-602-7625, Tennessee Bouldering Authority in St. Elmo, 423-822-6800, and Urban Rocks Gym on Appling Street off Amnicola Highway, 423-475-6578, all three of which hosted meets in a new interscholastic league this year. The Adventure Guild, 423-266-5709, teaches outdoor climbing in a variety of instruction formats.
Jonathan Driggers, a member of the Chattanooga Flying Disc Club, practices at The Sinks disc golf course in Hixson.Disc sports
The Chattanooga Ultimate League has coed team play for ages 15-older at Camp Jordan Park. See www.nakedpretzel.com or playultimate.net for details. Disc golf courses in the area include The Sinks off Access Road in Hixson, Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, the Jack Mattox complex in Catoosa County, Cloudland Canyon State Park near Trenton, Ga., Camp Jordan Park in East Ridge, the Portland Park at the corner of Signal Mountain and Suck Creek roads, 9 on Top at 1836 Taft Highway behind the Pumpkin Patch on Signal Mountain and the Johnston Woods Retreat in McDonald.
Football
Community youth leagues. Women's tackle football with the Tennessee Train (see tntrain.com, email tennesseetrain12@gmail.com or call Starlisa Horton at 423-320-4882) playing home games at Hixson High School and Chattanooga Soul (email soulfootball@yahoo.com) playing at Red Bank High School, and minor-league men's teams including the Tennessee Crush (www.tennesseecrush.com). The Georgia Rampage, a member of the indoor X League, is based in Dalton (www.garampage.com). There are adult flag leagues through some area YMCAs, the Chattanooga Youth & Family Development department (423-643-6055) and the Chattanooga Sports Complex on Dayton Boulevard (chattsports.com or 423-843-9511).
Geocaching
This relatively new activity involves following directions with GPS receivers to find hidden containers. Check out the Geocachers of Southeast Tennessee (geoset.proboards.com) or the Greater East Tennessee Geocaching Club.
Gymnastics
Children and youth programs at Tennessee Academy of Gymnastics in Chattanooga (423-697-1824), Gymnastics Center of Chattanooga in Ooltewah (423-238-5258), Gymnastics Center of Chattanooga in Hixson (423-877-5433), American Elite Gymnastics in Catoosa County (706-861-4500), Jill's Gymnastics on Hunt Drive off Mack Smith Road (706-891-2770) and Garner's Gymnastics in Hixson (423-842-5407).
Hang gliding
The Lookout Mountain Flight Park at Rising Fawn, Ga., above Trenton, provides tandem flights and instruction, including multiday packages. See www.hanglide.com or call 706-398-9546.
Kickball
The Chattanooga Youth & Family Development Department (423-643-6055) and the Catoosa County Recreation Department (706-891-4199) are among area possibilities for men's, women's and/or coed leagues.
Lacrosse
Increasing opportunities in the area include Signal Mountain and Middle Valley (www.mvya.org) youth club organizations. McCallie School coach Troy Kemp (423-493-5630) is a resource for area wide participation.
Lawn mower racing
Held at several venues in the area, including Cleveland and Jasper, but mostly centered at the Savannah Valley Speedway in the Meadowview community on North Highway 58. Call Buster Hogan at 423-667-4905.
Racquetball/handball
Play and competition through area YMCAs and the Sports Barns (downtown 423-266-1125, Lee Highway 423-855-0091, Hamill Road 423-870-2582).
Rowing
Instruction and competition through Lookout Rowing Club and Chattanooga Junior Rowing at the William G. Raoul Rowing Center (423-622-6846).
Rugby
The Chattanooga Rugby Club has men's teams and a youth program. The new venue at Montague Park showcases the sport locally, including college club teams. See www.noogarugby.com for contacts and event information.
Runners begin the annual Susan Komen Race for the Cure timed competitive 5K at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. Other events included a UTC Women's Pink Soccer Game, sponsor tents, a non-competitive 5K and a one mile fun run and walk. Running
Chattanooga Track Club (www.chattanoogatrackclub.org) sponsors and helps with a variety of road and trail races from 5-kilometer to ultra-marathon distance, plus triathlons. One of the annual highlights is the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon in early November in the nation's oldest military park. In downtown Chattanooga, the 7 Bridges Marathon in October is run by Scenic City Multisport (www.sceniccitymultisport.com). Wild Trails sponsors a series of trail races, ranging to 100 miles, and Rock/Creek Outfitters runs the internationally renowned StumpJump 50k in early October. The Chattanooga Jets are a successful youth track and field club.
Scuba diving/skiing
Choo Choo Diving & Aquatic Center (423-899-1008) or Leisure Time Dive & Ski Center (423-622-1335). The latter also offers snow ski instruction and equipment and diving and ski trips. Dodge City Ski Shop at 7968 East Brainerd Road (423-892-6767) has a virtual ski machine that provides skiing and snowboarding simulation for practice. Cloudmont Ski Resort (256-634-4344) in Mentone, Ala., is able to provide skiing on 1,000-foot beginner-intermediate slopes when the weather gets below 28 degrees at night.
Shooting sports
Benton Sporting Clays in Polk County (423-338-6034); Carter Shooting Supply in Harrison (423-344-1099); Shooter's Depot on Shallowford Road (423-305-0747); Montlake Classic Clays in Soddy-Daisy (423-332-1195) and, for rifles and handguns only, the TWRA's Prentice Cooper firing range (call Clint Smith at 423-658-9201).
Soccer
Area YMCAs and community associations for youth and some adult play, including Redoubt (423-899-4180), Camp Jordan Arena (423-490-0078), the Chattanooga Sports Complex (indoor leagues, chattsports.com or & 423-843-9511), Premier Soccer Academy (423-847-6565); Hispanic League, Sergio Ramos (423-362-0148); and open training, 3-v-3 play & clinics from Elite Soccer Training (email kris4futbol@aol.com or call 423-240-5737). The Chattanooga Football Club (chattanoogafc.com) offers high-level men's play in the National Premier Soccer League.
Softball
Community associations for girls' coach-pitch and fastpitch play, plus organizations throughout the area for adult slowpitch leagues. Included are leagues at the Summit of Softball (Richard West, 423-643-6055 or 423-595-4540), the Jack Mattox complex in Catoosa County (706-891-4199) and Veterans Park in Soddy-Daisy (Jimmy Pickett, 423-544-5368) and the Hixson Kiwanis church league (Ron Fugatt at 423-842-9635).
Standup paddleboarding
Equipment can be rented at L2 Boards in downtown Chattanooga, 423-531-7873, River Canyon Adventures at the foot of Signal Mountain, 423-987-1711 (which also offers river gorge cruises by kayaks, canoes or pontoon boats), and SUP Rentals on the lake in Hixson, 423-421-1403 or Michael@SUPpaddleboard.com.
Swimming
Lessons from the Chattanooga Youth & Family Development department, YMCA, McCallie School and others. Chattanooga Parks outdoor pools at Warner Park (423-697-1330) and Carver YRD center (423-622-7665); indoor pools at Brainerd (423-425-3600) and South Chattanooga (423-425-3550) centers. Chattanooga Area Swim League summer competition in communities from Cleveland, Tenn., to Calhoun, Ga. Year-round youth training through the Baylor Swim Club (423-267-8506, ext. 267), the McCallie/GPS Aquatic Club (John Woods, 423-634-7606) and the city of Chattanooga (Peggy Grall, 423-697-1385). River Rats masters competition for adults (Stan Corcoran, 423-493-5536). For the Baylor Diving Club, which has a competitive springboard team for youth and adults, call John Bonds at 423-267-8506, ext. 654.
Skydiving
The Chattanooga Skydiving Co. at 330 Airport Road in Jasper offers group lessons, one-on-one training and tandem jumping using U.S. Parachute Association methods. Call 855-776-5867.
Tennis
Instruction and competition through the Chattanooga Tennis Association (423-843-2456), Champions Club (423-870-3112), Manker Patten Tennis Club (423-266-6767), Racquet Club in Hixson (423-842-9622) and Fairyland Club on Lookout Mountain (706-820-0766). Play available on city courts, including Warner Park as the home for the Chattanooga Racqueteers adult competition team; the Racqueteers (Herb Barnett, 423-991-2855) also provide training for kids as well as adults.
Therapeutic recreation
Includes wheelchair basketball, power soccer, CHIPS golf, wheelchair tennis, adaptive cycling, kayaking, rowing and water ski opportunities. Call Elaine Adams with the Chattanooga Youth & Family Development department at 423-697-1345.
Trampolining
The Jump Park center at 1810 Chestnut St. near Finley Stadium, 423-531-8688; Superfly Trampoline Park at 7455 Commons Blvd. near Hamilton Place mall, 423-825-9320 (closed Sundays).
Triathlon
The Chattanooga Triathlon Club conducts swimming-running-cycling events as well as training opportunities, including a mentor program. See www.chattanoogatriathlonclub.org for information. Scenic City Multisport (www.sceniccitymultisport.com) also runs triathlons as well as other events, and the Sports Barn (423-266-1125) is another triathlon training resource. The Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon in mid-July is a huge event run by the Chattanooga Track Club in conjunction with Team Magic of Birmingham, Ala.
Volleyball
Adult leagues, including coed, through Chattanooga recreation centers and some area YMCAs. Junior Olympic girls programs throughout the area, most notably the Choo-Choo City Volleyball Club organization (email Paul Brock at superp@bellsouth.net) and the Cleveland-based Ocoee Heat Volleyball Club (www.ocoeeheatvb.com) for multiple age groups. Call Ed Elam (423-875-5131) about seniors play.
Water skiing
Lake Chickamauga and other area waterways provide plenty of opportunities for recreational skiers, and No Wave Wake in Fort Oglethorpe is a proven practice venue for national and international standouts in the sport.
Weightlifting
Beyond a variety of area fitness centers, health clubs, YMCAs and other options that include weights and weight machines, Steve Fauer with Tennessee Speed & Strength (423-870-4060) works with teens for competition.
Wrestling
There are several kids clubs in the area, particularly in communities with strong high school programs. UTC has one with an areawide pull, the Chattanooga Wrestling Club (www.utckidswrestling.com). Contact Mike Hatcher at 423-303-0760.
Yachting
Privateer Yacht Club, established on Lake Chickamauga in 1940, sponsors local, regional and national levels of competition and conducts instructional camps for youth. Call 423-877-9411.
Zumba
Classes are offered at fitness facilities throughout the area, including several Chattanooga Youth & Family Development centers.