Chickamauga Dam Lock Kayak Tour by Chattanooga Guided Adventures
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Locking through the dam is a great break from the ordinary. You wait as the massive gates to the lock open, and the boats heading upstream slowly motor out of the lock. We then kayak into the lock and secure our spots as the gates close behind us. We take note of the high water mark that is slightly below the decks of the kayaks and watch them grow as the water slowly drains into the river below. Once we lower 45 to 60 feet and reach river level the even larger rounded doors open in front of us and release us into the river to continue on the rest of the tour.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Try the unique guided experience of locking through Chickamauga Dam from the seat of a kayak. You will paddle into the 120 ft tall lock and the massive gates will close behind you. Your guide will connect the boats to a moving anchor at the side of the lock to secure all of the passengers on the trip. The lockmaster slowly empties the water in the lock from Chickamauga lake into the Tennessee River below the dam. As the water empties the lock, you slowly descend into the depth of the lock to match the river level below the dam. The massive doors in front of you open and your guide will lead you into the river where the paddling tour continues. This is a truly unique Chattanooga kayaking experience.
Options
Chickamauga Dam Lock Through Kayak Tour
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Kayak, Lifejacket, Paddle, Guide, Group Throw-bag, Group Towline, Group First Aid Kit, Kayak Light
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
72 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Chattanooga guided kayak through the Lock
janakn2025,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to experience Chattanooga and the Tennessee River which is integral to this region. Our guide Zach supplied everything including Kayaking lessons for beginners. All equipment and kayaks are high end. Great group activity to make memories. Outdoor activity so it can be weather dependent. The trip duration is perfect as it last 1.5-2 hrs. Zach teaches about the history of the region, the dam and lock system and also general knowledge of Chattanooga. He also points out wildlife along the way. A must do adventure in Chattanooga whether you are local or visiting.
Wonderful experience
lisacA653TA,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great experience. Zach our guide was great. He was very knowledgeable on all the history of the locks. We enjoyed this so much, definitely something to see when in chattanooga!
Great kayak tour!
travelsue75,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with Russ as our guide. Would recommend to anyone interested in getting on the river to see eagles, ospreys and herons, as well as learn about the history of the dam and the TVA.
Great Day
Richard T,Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great guide and really an enjoyable experience going through the lock. Pace was nice so we could all easily stay together.
Súper adventure
H5754MWleer,Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The weather was perfect, the equipment was perfect, the guide was very knowledgeable and you could tell that he really enjoyed his job!
It was a unique...
Amanda R,Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a unique experience getting to be in the dam when they let the water out. Very interesting experience learning how the dam worked.
Perfect Tour guide and weather for this exciting experience
Natalie E,Aug 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Russ was a fantastic, considerate, knowledgeable, and engaging leader and tour guide. I have kayaked many times before, but our international exchange student had not. Her English is quite decent, but still limited. Russ explained everything clearly and made sure she understood, for her enjoyment as much as for her safety. Going through the dam lock was exciting and surprising – we couldn't believe how quiet it was for something so enormous involving so much water! We had the benefit of a gorgeous day, too.
Great tour
Laura G,Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Zach was awesome !! Great tour he was extremely knowledgeable!! I would recommend! Thank you very much
Cool experience
H6134OFsaraa,Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great time out on the river. Very cool experience going through the Dam Lock and seeing all of the construction for the new Lock. Zach was friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. Would definitely go again and would recommend.
ampanmangal,Jul 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was super cool. We did have to wait for a barge to go through first, which cannot be controlled by the company, but during that time we got to be nearby on the water and watch how the process worked. It is amazing how snug the lock is for the big barges, yet it is properly steered into the lock by the tug boats. We had plenty of time to chat with our guide and get lots of pertinent information. Going through the lock was very interesting and unique. Our guide Russ, did an excellent job. Zach, the owner was very responsive when we were booking our trip.
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