Booker T. Washington Hiking

boy and woman walking down a trail in the fall

Hiking at Booker T. Washington

The Nature Trail is a peaceful woodland path that winds through shaded forest and gentle slopes. This family-friendly loop connects directly to the Outer Loop Trail, making it a great option for shorter hikes or linking into a longer adventure. Keep an eye out for native plants and wildlife along the way.

After the Nature Trail, embark on an adventure on the Outer Loop. 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.

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

Nature Trail

Booker T. Washington State Park

Distance

1.10 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

The Nature Loop Trail is a peaceful woodland walk where you're likely to see nuthatches, cardinals, goldfinches, and Carolina chickadees. This short loop is perfect for a relaxing stroll with plenty of songbird activity.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking Mountain Biking

Nature Trail

Booker T. Washington State Park

The Nature Loop Trail is a peaceful woodland walk where you're likely to see nuthatches, cardinals, goldfinches, and Carolina chickadees. This short loop is perfect for a relaxing stroll with plenty of songbird activity.

Distance

1.10 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking Mountain Biking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 129.60'

Loss 210.00'

Grade

Typical 5.8%

Max 24.4%

Cross Slope

Typical 3.0%

Max 16.0%

Tread Width

Typical 34"

Minimum 24"

Surface Type

Soil 63.3%, Crushed stone 31.7%, Gravel 5%

Obstructions Exist

Tree root: 7 in tall; Tree root: 6 in tall; Tree: 24 in of tread remaining

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

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

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.