Lula Lake guests must now register for open gate days

A sign for Lula Lake Land Trust is seen on Lula Lake Road across from the new Chattanooga Connector Trail and Moonshine Trails Oct. 6, 2017.
A sign for Lula Lake Land Trust is seen on Lula Lake Road across from the new Chattanooga Connector Trail and Moonshine Trails Oct. 6, 2017.

Lula Lake Land Trust guests will now be required to register to visit the core property.

The scenic property with its waterfall, hiking trails and access to Rock Creek is only open to the public for part of the first and last weekends of each month (about 40 days a year). The property is primarily used for conservation and education.

That property has seen a major uptick in demand during the last three years, largely due to its growing popularity on social media, trust employees believe. The trust underwent major changes last year after open-gate days brought nearly 1,000 visitors and suffocated the land.

A new parking lot near Lula Lake Road was built to keep visitors from driving over the protected land. The trust also implemented a $10 conservation fee per car (now $15) in place of its previous $2-per-person recommended donation. The new fee goes toward replenishing the health of the property from visitor overuse.

While successfully reaching its goals, the changes limited visitation to fewer than 500 visitors and meant turning away guests who had traveled to visit.

The reservation system begins immediately and will be implemented for the Feb. 23 Open Gate Day. Eighty-five parking spots will be available through the online reservation system.

"The ultimate goal of this new reservation system is to better provide the public with an opportunity to schedule their visit and provide updates on availability for each Open Gate Day event," according to a release from the trust. "With this being the second shift in parking structure in the last year, [the trust] feels this will eliminate stress not only for visitors but also for staff."

Registration is available at LulaLake.org/events.

Here are a list of rules for those planning to attend:

» All visitors must check in at the kiosk before hiking.

» All visitors should plan for a remote outdoor experience. Carry water, wear sturdy hiking shoes, pack a rain jacket, be aware of physical abilities. The easiest hike to the lake and falls is a 3.2-mile round trip. Be prepared.

» Picnicking is allowed in three primary areas: near the footbridge in the meadow area, at the lake and on the bluff. Grills are available.

» There is no swimming in Lula Lake at any time, and please refrain from swimming dogs.

» Dogs are welcome on a leash. Please pick up after pets.

» Do not attempt to visit the base of the waterfall after 4 p.m. - you will not make the 5 p.m. closing time.

» There is no parking on Lula Lake Road at any time - citations will be issued.

» There is a $15 "conservation use fee" charged per car. This money is used to fund Open Gate Day and property restoration.

» Cloudland Connector Trail users may not pass through Lula Lake en route to the Nickajack Trailhead at any time.

» Pack out what you pack in. There are very limited trash facilities.

Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.

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