Canoe Launches

In northwest Georgia the cities of Chickamauga, Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold have joined with both Catoosa and Walker counties in improving access for canoeists and kayakers.

West Chickamauga Creek Canoe Launch is at Lee & Gordon’s Mills near U.S. Highway 27.

From there, the creek meanders through the Chickamauga Battlefield Park to its next launch point which is near Logan’s Roadhouse and O’Charley’s where the creek passes under Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe.
The next stop downstream is the launch built in Catoosa County on West Chickamauga Creek at Cloud Springs and Dietz roads.

Ringgold’s launch points are in the downtown district and provide access to South Chickamauga Creek.

Paddlers on the west and south branches of Chickamauga Creek will meet across the state line, at Camp Jordan Park in East Ridge, Tenn., before passing beneath Interstate 75 and following the Brainerd Levee enroute to the Tennessee Riverpark, located downstream of Chickamauga Dam near Chattanooga State Technical Community College.

Total paddling distance from the Walker County launch point, through Catoosa County and on to Camp Jordan, is about 20 miles.

Catoosa County Recreation Department maintains the West Chickamauga Creek Canoe Launch located off Dietz Road. The other two launches are maintained by their respective City Governments.

Chickamauga Battlefield

In addition to viewing historical sites at the Chickamauga Battlefield, there are also hiking and horseback riding trails.

Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park

Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park provides visitors a place of recreation that includes trails, fishing, picnics, or just a quiet place to enjoy nature. The park is bordered by the South Chickamauga Creek and includes five walking trails, a 1,500 sq. ft. screened-in pavilion, and rest rooms. The pavilion can be reserved for groups, and the park staff is available to speak or give guided tours on a prearranged basis. Phone: 706-935-5263 - Location: 88 Ben Holmes Rd., Ringgold Georgia 30736. Directions: I-75 Exit 348 off Ooletwah Ringgold Rd.

Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park is maintained by Catoosa County Recreation Department.

88 Ben Holmes Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: 706-891-4199

Gilbert-Stephenson Park

Gilbert-Stephenson Park is located at the corner of Van Cleve and Norris Street. Walking tracks, tennis courts, swimming pool, playground and picnic tables are available. The pool opens the Saturday before Memorial Day.

Gilbert-Stephenson Park is maintained by the City of Fort Oglethorpe.

Located at Van Cleve And Norris St, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

Jack Mattox Park

One of the largest County facilities is the state-of-the-art Jack Mattox Recreation Complex located on Pine Grove Road between Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe. This 55-acre facility was funded by S-P-L-O-S-T (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and features seven (7) lighted ballfields, a 1.2 mile paved walking track and a 9-Hole Disc Golf Course.

The Jack Mattox facility hosts youth and adult league play throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall each year. In addition to league play, the facility is host to approximately 30 baseball / softball tournaments per year. The recreation department staff coordinates and hosts popular tournaments such as the Chick-fil-a “Duel on the Diamond” and the Dick’s Sporting Goods “Dugout Slugout” each year. In addition to these tournaments, the recreation department has partnered with the three (3) parent-run rec. associations to host the 7 Year Old Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series on two separate occasions (2009 & 2010).

Catoosa County Recreation Department maintains Jack Mattox Park.

749 Pine Grove Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: 706-891-4199

Ringgold Nature Trail & Creek Walk

Enjoy a relaxing walk on the Ringgold Nature Trail & Creek Walk along Chickamauga Creek in Downtown Historic Ringgold. This newly constructed walk connects the Highway Commercial district to the Historic Downtown district. The walk is parallel with Lafayette Street (Old Federal Road) and crosses the Old Federal Bridge. The Creek Walk offers residents and visitors alike a peaceful area to enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking, dog walking, or jogging. The Creek Walk offers benches at regular intervals and has been extended to connect with downtown sidewalks and to the new Clark Park green space on Robin Road. This Creek Walk serves as a great link between the activity of downtown and our peaceful natural surroundings.

The City of Ringgold maintains the Ringgold Creek Walk.