The 652-mile Tennessee River flows through the heart of Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee, offering a variety of recreation activities on the river and lakes throughout the region.

The waterway flows south from Watts Bar Lake near Ten Mile and Spring City, south through Birchwood in Meigs County, continuing on to Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, known as the “New Bass Fishing Capital of the South.” From there, the river flows south through downtown Chattanooga and then south through the stunning Tennessee River Gorge to Nickajack Dam.

The Tennessee River also offers paddling access to a number of smaller regional waterways, including North and South Chickamauga Creeks, Citico Creek, Chattanooga Creek, Lookout Creek, the Sequatchie River, Battle Creek and others.

The following outfitters offer canoe, kayak and SUP rentals on sections of the Tennessee River in Southeast Tennessee:

Sunshine’s Adventures
423-763-7357

Chattanooga Guided Adventures
423-390-8688
zach@chattanoogaguidedadventures.com

River Canyon Adventures
21726 River Canyon Rd., Chattanooga, TN
423-488-8211
Rivercanyonadventure.com

L2 Outside
131 River St, Chattanooga, TN
423-531-7873
L2outside.com

Chattanooga Paddleboard
111 Frazier Ave, Chattanooga, TN
423-702-1422

Hornsby Hollow Campground
On Watts Bar Lake
379 Hornsby Hollow Campground Ln., Ten Mile, TN
423-334-1709
Hornsbyhollowcampground.com

Rusty’s Kayaks & Paddleboards
Near Harrison Bay State Park
8332 Harrison Bay Rd, Harrison, TN
423-591-5526
Rustyskayaks.com

Scenic City Safari Shuttles & Outfitters
423-653-4845

TN River Gorge Cabin & Canoe Rentals
9852 Mullins Cove Rd, Whitwell, TN
423-280-3250

Lakeshore Marina
5600 Lake Resort Terrace, Chattanooga, TN
423-870-2000
Lsmarina.com

Rock Creek Rentals & Outpost
Hubert Fry Center & Chester Frost Park
423-643-1522
Rockcreek.com/rentals

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
On Lookout Creek
400 Garden Rd, Chattanooga, TN
423-821-1160
Reflectionriding.org

Note: Please email rjohnson@sedev.org regarding listing edits