Discover Harrison

When planning a trip to Harrison, nature, water, and history can shape your choice of activities. Harrison Bay State Park brings together several themes relevant to these interests: waterfront scenery, trails, fishing, and boating and paddling activities. Would you prefer to focus on a longer trail, a shorter interpretive trail, or activities on the water? The differences between the trails and water activities offer concrete points to consider as you plan.

Waterfront, Forest, and Lake

Harrison Bay State Park covers 1,200 acres. It has 40 miles of shoreline on Chickamauga Lake. Water and dense forest also surround Bear Trace at Harrison. The lake, forest, and shoreline thus appear in different combinations. If you want to focus on water or nature when planning your trip, you can consider Chickamauga Lake, the park’s shoreline, and the wooded surroundings of Bear Trace.

These themes give Harrison Bay State Park a clear connection to the landscape. The lakeside shoreline and the surroundings of Bear Trace offer different perspectives on water and forest. As you plan, you can consider whether you’d rather focus on the waterfront scenery or the wooded surroundings.

Trails by Length and Character

The Bay Point Loop Trail is clearly defined in terms of length, route, and use: it is 4.30 miles long, follows the lakeshore and shallow coves, and is designated for hiking and mountain biking. This makes it easy to assess the trail based on your preferred activity and distance. Its route along the water and coves adds a scenic element to the information about its uses.

The Starwalk Trail is a 0.55-mile interpretive trail. It is considerably shorter than the Bay Point Loop, and it also differs in its interpretive character. You can compare the two trails by asking two specific questions: What distance would you like to cover, and what kind of trail interests you? The Bay Point Loop offers a lakeside route and opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, while the Starwalk stands out for its shorter distance and interpretive character.

Fishing and Water Activities

At Harrison Bay State Park, fishing is possible from a boat, from the shore, and from an accessible pier. These three locations offer different options for planning: you can consider whether you’d like to fish from the shore, at the pier, or from a boat. Choosing where to fish is therefore one part of planning your water activities.

The park offers boat and paddlecraft rentals. The marina also has a boat ramp available around the clock. Rentals and the ramp are different ways to include water activities in your plans. Since operational details can change, check the current status of the boat ramp locally before departure.

A Historical Connection

In 1937, Harrison Bay State Park became Tennessee’s first state park. This historical role adds a specific connection to the history of Tennessee’s state parks to the themes of nature, trails, and water. If you want your trip planning to take more into account than just activities, and to consider a place’s historical context as well, this is one of Harrison’s distinctive themes.

Explore more destinations: Hixson, Chattanooga, Soddy-Daisy, Ooltewah

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