One of the many great things about Chattanooga is that we get to write about being outdoors all year long because we know y’all aren’t letting a little cold weather keep you inside.🌲 And since we know you’ll be hitting the trails, we figured you should know about a National Parks Partners project — Forever Moccasin Bend.
About Moccasin Bend
- In 2003, an Act of Congress passed declaring Moccasin Bend a National Archaeological District, the first and only one in the country.
- It was named an archaeological district because it spans 12,000 years of human civilization.
- The 770-acre national park is also an extension of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park because of its historical significance in a few key battles.
- Find a full history of the moccasin-shaped peninsula here.
#ProTip: If you plan to hike around Moccasin Bend, try to go when the weather has been relatively dry, wear good, waterproof boots if you have them, and pack some bug spray.
Forever Moccasin Bend project
The focus of this project is to open the gateway so visitors have easier access to the park’s trails and coming amenities. The future amenities include:
- A fully accessible pathway leading to a covered pavilion near the Tennessee River, where descendants of the land (there are 23 Native American tribes that have a direct connection to Moccasin Bend) can put on events for the public
- A designated parking area + bike racks and restrooms
- Interpretive displays of the land’s 12,000-year history
- Site orientation and maps of trails
- A bioswale to allow for natural stormwater drainage and encourage native plant growth + other environmental landscaping improvements
Right now, National Parks Partners are in the final stretch of fundraising to begin work on this project — they are less than $100,000 from the goal. If you’d like to help out, you can donate here. Every donation is being matched by anonymous donors, and while the timeline to raise the rest of the money is through March of 2021, the sooner the funds are raised, the sooner they can get to work. 💰
If you’re not in a place to donate, you can still support the project by fostering interest in the park and visiting.
Bonus: If you’re itching to check out the trails on the peninsula, we’ve heard it’s particularly beautiful in the winter. 👀
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