Little Cedar Mountain of today is actually the top of the Little Cedar
Mountain of days gone by. It juts out into and borders on today’s
Nickajack Lake which covers its flanks. Little Cedar Mountain is one
of the home grounds of Dragging Canoe, last of the great Cherokee war
chiefs. His own town, Running Water (now called 'Whiteside'), is just
a mile upriver, and another of his "Lower Towns," Nickajack, is right
across the river. These were two of the five towns
of the Chickamaugan Cherokees, the most serious and determined
resistance to white settlement in the East Tennessee area. This area
was occupied by various other native peoples including the Creeks.
Four small caves on the west side of Little Cedar were probably used by
Mississippi peoples prior to Creek occupation. For a more detailed
history click here.
Today, it is a part of the public lands owned by
TVA, acquired by eminent domain, and where a controversial private
development is planned.
While there are no developed hiking trails it is still public land and
it is possible to hike there and view the area relatively unchanged.
In the next year if it is developed as planned, it will no longer be a
public site. Access to Little Cedar Mountain is by parking near the
interstate exit on a pulloff from the Shellmound road.
There is an existing
trail from the base of Little Cedar Mountain to the top and then to
a point overlooking the lake.
There are some wildflowers in this area.
Also there are some interesting rock formations that look as though they
originated and were reshaped by water in a cave. ( Please remember
that digging or removal of archaeological or biological resources is illegal
and subject to prosecution. )
Down this road adjacent to the dam is the Shellmound Recreation Area which has picnic
facilities, restrooms and parking.
Nearby, on the opposite side of the lake is Nickajack Cave, which is
currently maintained by TVA as a Wildlife Refuge for it harbors a
large colony of gray bats. In the evening in the summer you may view
these swarming from the cave at dusk from an observation platform.
To reach Little Cedar Mountain from Chattanooga, take I24 toward
Nashville, take exit #158 and follow signs for Nickajack dam. For
Nickajack Cave, take exit #161 to Route 156 south to Maple View
Recreation Area.