general information

Address and Phone:
5801 Champion Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37416

Email: Ask.TNStateParks@tn.gov
Phone: (423) 894-4955

Hours Open to the Public:
7:00 a.m. to sunset

Dates Closed:
Open year-round.

Payment Types Accepted:
Free Admission

Booker T. Washington State Park

www.tn.gov/environment/parks/bookertwashington

Chattanooga, TN

Officially established as one of two recreational parks for African Americans (the other was T.O. Fuller park in Memphis), Booker T. Washington State Park served all of East Tennessee as well as Middle Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and other outlying areas. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 3459 began clearing the land in 1937. The next year, Company 4497, a group of young African-American men, took over the work and began planning the layout of the park.

The bike trail maintained by Southern Off-Road Bike Association (SORBA) is one of the best-kept secrets in the area, covering seven miles of lakeside and undeveloped lands. The park is a popular site for fishing, swimming, boating and other water sports, bird watching.

The park was named for African-American educator and leader Booker T. Washington, although he had no direct connection to the park. 

Directions: Take I-24 or I-75 to Hwy 153. From Hwy 153 go to Hwy 58. Follow Hwy 58 north to Champion Rd on the left and follow signs to the park.