Chattanooga was named the top trending winter destination by Tripadvisor in 2022.
The combination of holiday festivities and mild winter weather allows visitors to enjoy seasonal traditions alongside Chattanooga’s natural beauties without getting too cold, says Hannah Hammon, public relations manager for Chattanooga Tourism Co.
“People get to bring out their winter clothes here, but it also allows for outdoor activities,” she says.
Chattanooga has many campsites that stay open year-round, so visitors looking for winter camping can get their nature fix while remaining close to the city’s holiday favorites, like the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Christmas dinner train ride. For visitors looking to avoid the holiday attractions and have a quieter winter visit, the city slows down in January but hosts the Lookout Wild Film Festival mid-month.
For visitors looking to stay close to the city (within a 15- to 25-minute drive), Harrison Bay State Park and Chester Frost Park, both on Chickamauga Lake, are popular, Hammon says. Prentice Cooper State Forest and Raccoon Mountain also offer sites close to the city.