North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park
Warning Alert
Closures Due To Improvement Project
Important alert for all visitors:
Beginning March 23, 2026 and lasting for approximately one year, improvements will be made to create a safer, more accessible experience for visitors. This includes paving the parking area, improving the park entrance, adding an ADA-accessible river viewing pier, and installing a restroom.
During this time, the following areas will be closed and inaccessible:
- Montlake Road Entrance and the Main Trailhead
- Blue Hole Trail & Blue Hole Access
- Hogskin Loop Trail
- Stripmine Falls
- Cumberland Trail from the Main Trailhead to Boston Branch Overlook
Learn more and view the map of the closed area on our safety information page.
Know Before You Go
The park often experiences high visitation. Please do not park on roadsides or in non-designated areas. If the park is full, please consider visiting another state park in the area.
Access to all areas along the creek may close due to inclement weather and/or rising waters. A four-point, color-coded rating system is used to determine the closing of creek access areas. Rangers and staff may close areas with little to no notice to park visitors. Learn more on our safety information page.
North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park
Geolocation
Downloads
Phone Reservations
1-888-867-2757Explore the Park
Safety and Accessibility
Want to Stay Overnight?
Park Activities
Park Amenities
- Birding
- Campground
- Fishing
- Trails
- Paddle Rentals
- Rock Climbing
- Scenic River
- Swimming
- Waterfalls
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is the gate at the Montlake Road Trailhead closed?
There are a number of reasons why the gate may be closed:
- The parking lot has reached capacity
- An emergency has occurred necessitating the emergency closing of areas
- The park is conducting a maintenance project necessitating the closing of areas
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When will the gate re-open?
The gate will re-open when an adequate amount of parking space becomes available, or when the emergency has been resolved. This may take an hour or more. For park maintenance projects, the park gates may be closed for an extended period of time.
Visitors may not line up in their vehicles on the road, nor may visitors park on Montlake Road. Visitors blocking the gate and/or emergency access to the park are subject to tow at the owner’s expense.
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Can I use a ride-share app to enter the park?
Ride-share users may access the park even if the parking lot is full. Ride-share users must exit their vehicle within the park at the trailhead. Exiting vehicles on Montlake Road is dangerous and not permitted. Ride-share users may not access the park if areas are closed due to emergency or park maintenance projects.
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Are there restrooms at the park?
No, at this time restroom facilities are not available at the park. The closest public restroom facilities are located at the gas stations on Dayton Pike.
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Is there a visitor center at the park?
No, at this time there are no public facilities at the park. The phone number for the park office is 1-423-708-8313, Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM ET. This office is not open to the general public.
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What time do I have to exit the park?
Park hours are from 8:00 AM ET to 7:00 PM ET. All day-use visitors must exit the park by 7:00 PM ET. Visitors should plan to leave the Blue Hole no later than 6:30 PM ET in order to exit the park by 7:00 PM ET.
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Where are the campsites?
All campsites located within the park are backcountry sites and are only accessible by foot. Reservations to camp at designated backcountry sites are required before camping. Overnight camping in the parking area is prohibited. Learn more about camping in North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park.