Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:
Mountain to Town - Downhill Bike Adventure
Friday May 4th and Saturday, May 5th
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for an all-inclusive downhill bike adventure from Lookout Mountain to downtown Chattanooga. Enjoy views of the city from the top of the mountain while cruising the Guild Trail until it connects with the Tennessee Riverwalk all the way back into town. Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced guides will be with you during the ride providing support and instruction.
You can use your own bike or borrow one of ours at no additional cost. Ride time is approximately 2 hours. Appropriate for ages 12+ with an adult. This is a beginner friendly tour, but participants must be confident riders, be able to shift gears and brake independently and listen to instruction while moving at higher speeds. Cost: $25 per person includes bike, helmet, transportation, guide staff and ride support. Reservations required in advance as space is limited. For more information and to make a reservation call (423) 643-6888 or email us.
Bike to Lunch: TN Riverwalk Extension
Wednesday, May 16 10:30-12:30 p.m.
Join us as we cruise the Tennessee Riverwalk Extension to grab lunch. You'll enjoy a leisurely-paced, guided bicycle tour of the Tennessee Riverwalk extension starting from Outdoor Chattanooga into historic St. Elmo, where we'll stop at Crust Pizza for their lunch buffet. (Be sure to bring your own lunch money-the bike tour is free). This 8 mile round-trip ride is considered easy to moderate and family friendly. Please no training wheels, and children must be able to confidently ride a bike for this distance. Helmets are required for all riders and can be provided. Bicycles are provided from a gracious grant from Chattanooga Bicycle Club and Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga. Cost: Free (bring your lunch money for the pizza buffet or a refreshing beverage). Reservations required in advance as space is limited. Call 423-643-6888 to find out more and register.
Intro to Mountain Biking
Friday , May 18th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Leave the asphalt behind and get in gear for the trails. Learn the basics of mountain biking from Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced instructors with an Intro to Mountain Biking Class. They'll provide you with the skills and knowledge to get you out there riding on your own. Our guides also provide information on the best local trails and rides suited for your ability, which is helpful for anyone new to the sport. No experience necessary, but must be able to confidently ride a bike. Cost: $10. Mountain bikes, helmets, and all instruction provided. Courses meet at Greenway Farms Park. Reservations required in advance. Email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888 to register and learn more.
Community Events
REI Play Days
Saturday, May 5 & Sunday, May 6
Because they're the new kids in town, REI Chattanooga is offering a weekend of free activities to get to know everyone that loves the great outdoors as much as they do before their grand opening May 18-19. Join them for biking, bouldering, SUP-ing, yoga and evening social events-all Free. Check out the schedule of events below and be sure to #optoutside this weekend!
Chattanooga Bike Share Takeover
Saturday, May 5 & Sunday, May 6
Bikes are on REI at your nearest Chattanooga Bike station for one-hour free rides! (If your trip lasts longer than 60 minutes, you'll be responsible for a fee.)
Bouldering @ Little Rock City
Saturday, May 5th + Sunday, May 6
Chalk up for world-renowned bouldering at Little Rock City aka Stone Fort on Mowbray Mountain. Entry fees are covered by REI for these two days. Please park and register at the Montlake Golf Clubhouse.
Free SUP Board Rentals @ L2
Sat, May 5 | 10am - 4pm + Sun, May 6 | 11am - 3pm
REI will partner with L2 (local Chattanooga paddle outfitter) to provide free SUP rentals. Launch site will be in Coolidge Park, in front of L2's new location.
Tunes & Brews @ Crabtree Farms
Saturday, May 5 | 5 -10 PM
Enjoy a local bands, local brews and light food, plus arts & crafts and s'mores, for a family-friendly evening at Crabtree Farms. Music: Caney Creek Company & Slim Pickins. Brews from: Heaven & Ale and Chattanooga Brewing Co. Registration required
Morning yoga @ Wildflower Teashop
Sunday, May 6 | 10:00-11:30 AM
Join a free morning yoga session led by the owner of Wildflower, followed by complimentary tea and treats. Registration required
Black Ties, Chacos & Tacos @ Hunter Art Museum
Sunday, May 6 | 6:30-10:30 PM
Black ties, Chacos and tacos! Enjoy a live jazz band, taco + pizza bar, photo booth and short film. First drink is on REI, with cash bar to follow. This event is only for ages 21 and older. Registration required
Another Gorgeous Evening
Thursday, May 10 | 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Join the Tennessee River Gorge Trust on Thursday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. for Another Gorgeous Evening at the Tennessee River Place for a fundraiser to benefit their conservation efforts. Guests will enjoy cocktail hour-inspired mingling all through the night. Start off with specialty drinks provided by The Feed Company Table & Tavern, 1885 Grill and Tremont Tavern while you tap your feet to the sounds of Slim Pickins and the Ben Friberg Trio all while feasting on dinner-by-the-bite catered by Lee Towery. Individual tickets are $125 prior to May 6, $150 after May 6. Tables and sponsorships are also available. Email Alishea or call her at 423-266-0314 with any questions.
L2 Outside Ribbon Cutting and Free SUP Rentals
Friday, May 18 | 4:30 pm Free Rentals 11am-7pm
L2 Outside is excited to announce its new home in Coolidge Park (60 N. Market St.) with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. followed by an open house celebration from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy free, yummy treats from Frios Pops, and FREE one-hour paddle board rentals from L2 Outside all day long, first-come-first-served, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ironman Chattanooga 70.3
Sunday, May 20
Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga returns to the Scenic City on Sunday, May 20. The race begins bright and early with a 1.2 mile swim in the Tennessee River down to Ross's Landing on Riverfront Pkwy where racers transition for the 56 mile bike course and then again for the 13.1 mile run along the Tennessee Riverwalk. Check out the race course, spectator guide, traffic impact, and all the other need to know info for race day here. Volunteers are still needed! If interested in being a part of the magic on race day without racing, register to volunteer!
Paddling Film Festival World Tour
Friday, May 25th 7:30 - 11:00 PM
Tennessee Valley Canoe Club (TVCC) brings the Paddling Film Festival World Tour to Chattanooga! You'll be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle and appreciate the wild places.
Tickets are $10 for TVCC members and $12 for non-members. Each ticket includes a raffle ticket for a chance to win some awesome prizes and a one year digital subscription to Paddling Magazine. Proceeds benefit the Kids 4 Clean Water Programs in the Tennessee Valley. Bring your own chair and watch this year's winning films at The Gear Closet on Friday, May 25.
Discover the Creek Family Funday Micro-Adventure
Sunday, May 27 | 2 - 4 PM
Join the Chattanooga Audubon Society for a creek stomp along the scenic South Chickamauga waters. Guided by certified naturalist and water quality tester Sunny Montgomery, the leisurely stroll will include a sampling of the creek's rich biodiversity. Learn more about crawdads, snails, mussels and more, or simply splash along in the clear, shallow waters. All ages are welcome. $2 for members, $4 for non-member child and $7 for non-member adult.
More Community Events
Job Opportunities
Outdoor Chattanooga is hiring! It's rare that we have job openings because this is an awesome place to work and we love our jobs! But, on occasion, we lose a beloved staff member to a new career opportunity that is too good to pass up! On that note, we sadly say bye to the one and only, Zach Bopp! We wish you well on your next great adventure with REI! You'll be tough to replace and greatly missed!
If your idea of a dream job is to get paid to play outside while planning and leading adventure activities that include: flatwater and whitewater kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, hiking, camping, backpacking, archery, outdoor skills and environmental education, then this is your lucky day because we're currently seeking a full-time Outdoor Recreation Programs Specialist! Deadline to apply is May 4, 2018.
The City of Chattanooga Government Internship program is an exciting opportunity to gain paid experience working in city government and grow professionally. Interns participate in professional development workshops, community service activities, and field trips while working on projects for various Departments in City of Chattanooga Government.
This internship is for junior and senior level college students and recent graduates of all ages. Interns must be available to work 40 hours/week for the entire month of June 2018. Deadline to apply is May 10, 2018.
Apply Here
You must upload a current resume at the link to be considered for an interview.
Try this Local Outdoor Adventure
May is National Bike Month! To celebrate, organizations across Chattanooga are holding events to encourage bicycling as a fun, healthy way to get around and enjoy our community. Here are all the ways you can get involved:
REI's Play Days offers free Bike Chattanooga access
Sat. & Sun., May 5 & 6th
REI will provide free Bike Chattanooga system access to celebrate the opening of their first Chattanooga store. Anyone can access the Bike Chattanooga system and enjoy free station-to-station trips under one hour (overage fees will be applied to rides of more than 60 minutes).
National Bike to School Day events
Tues. & Wed., May 8th & 9th
Thrasher Elementary - Tues., May 8th | 7:30 am, starting from Signal Mountain Town Hall, 1111 Ridgeway Ave.
Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) Upper and Lower Schools - Wed., May 9th | 7:30 am, starting from the Tennessee Riverpark access off of Amnicola Highway at 2011 Curtain Pole Rd.
Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper and Lower Schools - Wed., May 9th | 7:30 am, starting from St. Marks Church parking lot, 701 Mississippi Ave.
For more information, please see: walkbiketoschool.org.
Bike to Lunch on the TN Riverwalk
Wed., May 16th | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a group bike ride to grab lunch. Details provided above in Outdoor Chattanooga Events Section.
Ride of Silence
Wed., May 16th | 7:00 pm | Waterhouse Pavilion, Miller Plaza
Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public may not be aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. For more information, please visit www.rideofsilence.org.
Bike to Work Day: Breakfast
Fri., May 18th | 7:30 - 9:00 am | Waterhouse Pavilion, Miller Plaza
Join GreenTrips and other organizations for a Bike to Work group ride to the Waterhouse Pavilion for a free breakfast and panel discussion including Mayor Berke and other policymakers, businesses, and residents discussing the new safety enhancements and improvements along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The panel discussion will be moderated by Matt Busby of the Camp House, and recorded live for inclusion in a later episode of the Camp House Podcast.
Bike to Work Day: Lunch
Fri., May 18th |12:00 pm | Memo's Grill
Meet at the Patten Parkway Bike Chattanooga station at noon to bike to lunch at Memo's Grill and hear from Mayor Berke about great connections across our community.
Bike on the Battlefield with the National Park Service
Sat., May 19th | 9:30 am | Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center
Enjoy a leisurely-paced bicycle ride on the Chickamauga Battlefield with the National Park Service and Outdoor Chattanooga. Bicycles available at no charge with reservation; contact the Visitor Center at (706) 866-9241 to learn more.
Scenic City Adaptive Cycling
Mon., May 21st | 6:00 pm | The Tennessee Riverpark
City of Chattanooga Therapeutic Recreation, SPARC and Outdoor Chattanooga offer individuals with disabilities the ability to cycle on the TN Riverwalk through the use of adaptive cycling equipment and volunteers. Please note that equipment is limited and pre-registration is REQUIRED! Email Jerry Hightower or call him at 423-596-5268 to find out how you can get involved as a participant or as a volunteer.
Looking Ahead...Upcoming Events
May
3 Blue Hole Clean Up
4 Free Camping Event at Fall Creek Falls
4 & 5 Mountain to Town Downhill Bike Adventure
5 Gran Fondo Hincapie Chattanooga
Young Eagles-Free Plan Rides
Bush Crafting Skills