The River to Clouds Route is a multi-use route that traverses Lookout Mountain.
Approximately 34 miles in length, the route begins at Cloudland Canyon State Park near Rising Fawn, Georgia, and follows the mountain north to the base of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it connects to Chattanooga’s Greenway System. This multi-use route is open to bicycles and foot travel, consisting of both single and double-track trails.
The RCR challenges the most seasoned adventure cyclists, runners, and hikers. Users can expect to encounter rocky technical sections, scenic overlooks, tumbling mountain streams, waterfalls, hidden hollers, unique rock formations, abandoned mines, and several historical sites.
The River to Clouds Route links together several public lands managed by different organizations, including Lookout Mountain Conservancy, National Park Service, Lula Lake Land Trust, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, Covenant College, and Georgia State Parks. To find out where you can park overnight and camp, please consult the map and make sure to follow the rules and guidelines set by each land manager.
The route crosses the ancestral lands of the Cherokee Nation and indigenous peoples that came before us. As stewards and users, please respect these past cultures and public lands.
Practice Leave No Trace Ethics
Plan ahead and prepare for navigating difficult terrain
Do not ride muddy trails and respect trail closures
Travel and camp on designated areas
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts, where campfires are allowed
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other users
We appreciate the support of all the organizations involved in making the RCR a reality.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga IGTLab
The Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab (IGTLab) provides the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the greater Chattanooga metropolitan region with leadership, expertise, and a platform for the successful integration of geospatial technologies and spatial thinking into academic instruction and problem-solving.
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National Park Service - Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Open sunrise to sunset
Overnight parking is not allowed
Camping is not allowed
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Lookout Mountain Conservancy
Mission: Lookout Mountain Conservancy leads the way in community-centered conservation and environmental education by providing equitable and inclusive access to the Mountain’s natural beauty, wildlife habitats, recreational opportunities, and places of historical significance.
Vision: Lookout Mountain Conservancy envisions a future where land conservation creates positive transformational change for the environment and our community.
Rockmont Park/Guild-Hardy Trail
Open sunrise to sunset
Dogs on leashes are welcome
Overnight parking is not allowed
Camping is not allowed
Alcohol, drug, and tobacco use are prohibited
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Lula Lake Land Trust
Lula Lake Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of lands located within the Rock Creek watershed on Lookout Mountain. LLLT's mission is to preserve the natural and historic landscapes surrounding Rock Creek and Bear Creek and their tributaries through conservation, education, and low-impact recreation. Since 1994, LLLT has helped conserve over 12,000 acres and built over 60-miles of trails on Lookout Mountain.
The RCR utilizes LLLT’s Moonshine and Core Preserve trails. A pass-through permit is required to pass through LLLT's Core Preserve property via foot or bike only (no parking permitted). Additionally, two backcountry campsites are available on LLLT's Moonshine Trails and on the Cloudland Connector Trail past the Nickajack Trailhead. Pass-through and backcountry camping are $5 and can be obtained by clicking the link below.
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Covenant College
Founded in 1955, Covenant College, also known as "the Castle in the Clouds" is a Christian liberal arts college on Lookout Mountain. Offering undergraduate programs and a master of arts in teaching, Covenant seeks to explore and express the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all things. We inspire and equip our students to be faithful stewards of their God-given abilities and our nationally-ranked academic programs are rigorously taught through a biblical lens by expert professors. Our Christ-centered education and community transform how students learn and what they learn—giving renewed meaning to the pursuit of knowledge, calling, and career.
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National Park Partners of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Moccasin Bend
National Park Partners champions the conservation of the natural, historic, and cultural resources of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, including Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. Six unique park units totaling more than 9,000 acres are accessible by 80 miles of multi-use trails, and this landscape contains 12,000 years of human history that shaped our city, our region, and our nation.
We grow Chattanooga’s National Park legacy as the official nonprofit partner of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Join National Park Partners in respecting the past, investing in the present, and preserving for the future.
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Georgia Department of Natural Resources: State Parks and Historic Sites
Mission: To protect our state’s natural beauty and historic integrity while providing opportunities for public enjoyment and education.
Vision: Using our system’s diversity and a commitment to excellence as our strengths, we will be a national model for quality service, resource protection, outdoor recreational opportunities, ecosystems management and interpretation of our heritage. We will provide an excellent work environment for our employees through effective leadership, proper training, challenging opportunities and a guarantee of fair treatment.
