Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour with Chattanooga Guided Adventures
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
This trip runs on Eastern Time.
You will get an amazing 3 mile tour just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee at Nickajack Lake and will learn about gray bats, osprey, cliff swallows, blue heron, and other wildlife. Your guide will discuss how they are all interconnected, what is being done to protect these wild animals, and what impact you can do to help the incredible endangered gray bat. We throw in a little history of the Tennessee River and how it became what it looks like today. With a grand finale of watching 100,00 gray bats leave the cave at sunset.
This trip runs on Eastern Time.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
THIS TRIP RUNS ON EASTERN TIME. Join Chattanooga Guided Adventures to see endangered gray bats begin their nightly hunt for insects! The Nickajack Bat Cave and Wildlife Refuge in the Tennessee River is the summer roost for up to 100,000 of these animals. These tours run from late April to early October. Enjoy a 3-mile paddle around Nickajack Lake to the cave entrance during which you may be lucky enough to observe such local treats as osprey and bald eagles. Take in the thrill as thousands of bats leave the cave at dusk. Reflect with your new friends about the dangers white-nose syndrome poses to the bat population and its impact on the ecology of other species in the area. Bring your binoculars and enjoy the sights on this bat cave kayak tour. This trip is a fun way to meet new friends or get your old friends off of the couch to try something new. This trip runs on Eastern Time.
What‘s Included
This trip runs on EASTERN TIME. All equipment provided.
Options
Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour with Chattanooga Guided Adventures
Reviews
298 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The bats are magical.
Charlene S,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Pretty easy kayak trip. The bats were definitely the highlight of the short journey. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable.
We very much enjoyed the...
Filiberto L,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We very much enjoyed the sunset paddling experience, let alone the experience of seeing the bats leave the cave in the evening in droves! It was amazing!
Worth it!!
Youlonda W,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth every moment. The guides were phenomenal. Very informative and entertaining. The bats at the end was breathtaking. Great family experience.
Bat Magic
Tara T,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Went in April, wind made first part of trip a good work out., but not too strenuous. We saw Osprey and their nests up close, and one that just caught a fish. The sunset was beautiful and long lasting. We also saw 2 trains go by which was fun. When the bats came out the lake went quite still and quiet. I guess the insects were doing their best to not get eaten. Our guide Margaret was very educational and it was a wonderful experience. Bring sunglasses, something to pull long hair back and maybe a dry change of clothes for after. I highly recommend it to others and hope to bring other people to the spot again.
Only do if you kayak regularly
Renee P,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00You need to have experience kayaking! They expect you to stay close to other boats, turn frequently in the water and stop and reverse. So no experience necessary is false. The lake has a current you fight to go where you want and stay in one place when you stop. The trip could have been cut in half by starting later and just kayaking to and from the bat cave v out to two other places and stopping. The caboose guide- I think her name was Casey- was fantastic and very encouraging. If it had not been for her I probably would have been in tears by the end. The lake is gorgeous.
We saw osprey and we...
Matthew C,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We saw osprey and we think greens as well as bats. It was a great tour our guide was very patient and tried the tour to what we wanted to see. He also provided some history about the area
It was a very fun trip!...
Brock R,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very fun trip! For my first time kayaking they were able to help me figure it out. Saw bats and many other wildlife.
A great afternoon experience 10/10.
Caleb H,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00the guide was amazing and the knowledge and understanding of the wildlife and waters were great. I would highly recommend this for anyone.
Enthusiastic Knowledgeable Guides
Lisa S,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Exceptionally warm and personable guides who had great enthusiasm for what they do. Informative, fun and a beautiful experience.
Bat Cave Kayak Tour
Dawn P,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A Very Relaxing Way to end your day enjoying the sunset and bats! We saw a beaver, an egret and lots of bats!
From US$85.99
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Operated by Chattanooga Guided Adventures