Booker T. Washington Biking

A couple bikes down a wide trail, surrounded by trees, smiling.

Children biking through an obstacle course with colorful cones.

Biking at Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington offers a single-track bike trail on a six-mile loop. The trail features some long uphill climbs with rewarding, but very fast, downhills. The trail also has some banked (off-camber) turns. This trail is challenging but still rated for all abilities.

Trails

Inner Loop 1 Trail

Booker T. Washington State Park

Distance

1.20 mi.

Difficulty

Moderate

Surface

Natural

A moderate mountain bike and hike loop that weaves through forested terrain and open spaces. It's a favorite warm-up ride for bikers before tackling longer routes, offering a balance of flow and gentle elevation.

Availability

Open

Allowed

Hiking Mountain Biking

Inner Loop 2 Trail

Booker T. Washington State Park

Distance

2.25 mi.

Difficulty

Moderate

Surface

Natural

A slightly longer and more rolling route through mixed hardwood forest. Perfect for intermediate bikers and hikers, this trail features shaded sections, glimpses of the lake, and connections to other routes throughout the park.

Availability

Open

Allowed

Hiking Mountain Biking

Scenic Trail

Booker T. Washington State Park

Distance

0.50 mi.

Difficulty

Easy

Surface

Natural

During winter, the park becomes a seasonal home to the common loon. The best viewing is along the Scenic Trail, which starts near the boat ramp and ends at a lakefront viewing platform; a great place to spot waterfowl and enjoy sweeping views of Chickamauga Lake.

Availability

Open

Allowed

Hiking all_terrain_wheelchair

Outer Loop Trail

Booker T. Washington State Park

Distance

2.90 mi.

Difficulty

Easy

Surface

Natural

The park’s longest and most adventurous multi-use trail borders TVA land and follows the lake’s edge. It features two scenic overlooks, diverse habitats, and stretches of rolling terrain that challenge both hikers and mountain bikers. Two trails lie within the Outer Loop and offer more opportunities to explore via hiking and mountain biking.

Availability

Open

Allowed

Hiking Mountain Biking

Trail Definitions

Cross Slope 

Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.  
Grade 

Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.   
Standard Ramp Grade

Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments. 
Surface 

A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.  
Tread Width 

Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.  
Trail Types: Loop

Trail returns at or near the point from which you started.
Trail Types: Network

Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected
Trail Types: Out and Back

This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.  
Trail Types: Stacked Loop

A loop trail contained completely within another trail.