Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park | ROCK CLIMBING

Rock climbers along the Bluff Trail in the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Rock climbers along the Bluff Trail in the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Technical rock climbing on Lookout Mountain is permitted on the rock faces above and below the Bluff Trail extending between the areas known as the Towers to the climb known as Blonde Ambition and at Eagles Nest. All other areas on Lookout Mountain are closed to technical rock climbing. Sport rappelling is permitted at Eagles Nest only. Be sure to protect all trees used to attach ropes, webbing, or any type of sling with protective padding thick enough to prevent abrasion to the tree.

The following rock climbing practices are prohibited:

  1. The operation of a power drill or motorized equipment used to support the placement of new climbing aides or otherwise to directly support a climb.
  2. The gluing or chipping of rock, or the gluing, affixing, or placement of artificial hand holds on rock, or other damaging practices such as forcibly prying off rock or destroying vegetation to enhance a route.
  3. Leaving fixed ropes unattended
  4. Installation of new bolts or fixed pitons
  5. Any tree used as an anchor to attach webbing, rope, or any type of sling used for climbing activity must be first wrapped with protective padding around its entire circumference. The padding must be of sufficient thickness to prevent abrasion of the tree.

Sunset Rock is accessed from a parking lot on West Brow Road—the lot holds eight vehicles.

There is parking at Eagle’s Nest along the paved portion of the Guild Trail (aka Cravens Terrace), which runs past the Ruby Falls tourist attraction. Drive all the way to the end of the road to reach the parking area.

Both locations are identified on Google Maps. Type “Eagles Nest Lookout Mountain” or “Sunset Rock Chattanooga” into the search bar.

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Last updated on May 31, 2023
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