It’s a little over a mile to Mushroom Rock, which, as the name suggests, is an enormous rock that looks stunningly like a giant mushroom. The path to Mushroom Rock also leaves from the Shackleford Ridge Park trailhead but veers west through private land, though the trail is open to the public. Because of its accessibility and recreational opportunities, Rainbow Lake is perhaps the best place on Signal for a family outdoor adventure. You can terminate your hike here or opt to take a two-mile tour around the lake. The lake features a dam built in 1916 that creates a short but powerful waterfall, and a swinging bridge that spans the creek. You’ll start hiking parallel to the golf course, crossing wooden footbridges and an old spring house. This has consistently been one of Signal’s most popular destinations because the trail to the lake is wide, smooth, and not too steep. Rainbow Lake is one of the area’s top hiking destinations.įrom the large designated parking lot in the historic district of Signal Mountain, it’s about three quarters of a mile down to Rainbow Lake. The best way to access the trails is from the parking lot at the back of Signal Mountain Middle High School, and you can easily tailor your route from less than one mile up to six. The well-maintained trails feature several quaint wooden foot bridges, benches, a swinging bridge, and tree species identification placards. The trails create a series of color-coded loops that can be a little tricky to navigate, so be sure to snap a picture of the map at the trail head. Shackleford Ridge County Parkįor a more manicured hiking experience, the trails of Shackleford Ridge Park, also known as the Sam Powell trails, are a wonderful place to do some low-key hiking or dog walking. No matter how you get there, the large outcropping at Edward’s Point is perfect for picnicking, sunbathing, or taking photos. All of the trails to the point range from two to seven miles and are popular for hiking, running, mountain biking, and ATVs. The most direct route is to access the site from Edward’s Point road, via a 2-ish mile ATV path, or to hike the three miles along the bluff from Signal Point. You could visit the overlook every day for a week and never reach it via the same trail. Aside from the gorgeous view, the best thing about Edward’s Point is the plethora of ways to get there. The spectacular view of the Tennessee River from Edwards Point.Īnother of Signal Mountain’s time-honored destinations, Edward’s Point looks out over the Tennessee River gorge a few miles north of Signal Point. The park has restrooms open seasonally and the gates are closed at dusk. For those not willing to tackle the hike down to the Signal Point overlook, there is a fantastic (and very similar) view within sight of the parking lot that is extremely accessible. This spot, controlled by the Union during the Civil War, was used to relay messages to and from a nearby Alabama city using a complex signaling system, giving us its name. From the parking lot in the mountain’s historic district, it’s a short but exciting walk through a maze of wooden stairs and bridges to Signal Point, which overlooks the Tennessee River. This Signal Mountain classic is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Signal Point offers one of the mountain’s signature views. We’ve selected some of our favorite places to get out and explore the mountain’s wild side. While even a drive around the densely forested mountain town is a more-than-satisfying way to spend an afternoon, taking a stroll (long or short) on some of Signal’s beautiful trails is the best way to experience its wide variety of spectacular natural offerings. Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga, Signal Mountain offers days of outdoor adventures and views that stretch on for miles. Winding wooded lanes, dazzling panoramas, criss-crossing streams, and a labyrinth of diverse trails make Signal Mountain a nature lover’s heaven.
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