Prentice Cooper State Forest

Prentice Cooper State Forest has a number of interesting trails and is within 25 minutes of downtown Chattanooga. Possibly the most interesting portion of trail in the forest is the section from Snooper's Rock to the Indian Rock House on the Mullen's Creek Loop Trail and which runs mostly along the Tennessee River Gorge. This section is about 4 miles in length and is easy. (The loop is 10.2 miles total.) It is mostly level, however there are some rocky places and moderate climbs. It may be hiked in either direction from the Cumberland trail parking area or from the Snooper's Rock parking area.
The accompanying photos (taken on the club New Year's Day hike, 1998) show a portion of this trail near the Indian Rock House. The top inset is a view of the Tennessee River from one of the many overlooks along the trail and the other inset is the view from Snooper's Rock.
The longest and most difficult trail in Prentice Cooper is a portion of the Cumberland Trail which runs from the Indian Rock House across Suck Creek road (State27) by Edward's Point to Signal Point.
The Chattanooga Hiking Club maintains the Pot Point Loop Trail which is 11.9 miles and includes such interesting features as Snooper's Rock (where it connects to the Mullen's Cove Loop) and the Natural Bridge. (See inset photo). The trail runs along the top of the bridge.
To reach Prentice Cooper from Chattanooga, take I24 to US27 across the river and exit on Signal Mt. Boulevard(US127). Turn left on Suck Creek Road (state 27) to the top of Signal Mountain. Turn left at the sign for Prentice Cooper and follow the signs to the Cumberland Trail parking area. The Cumberland Trail Conference provides a map of this area on their web site
Please note there is hunting allowed in Prentice Cooper during which times it is closed to hikers. Prentice Cooper hunt dates are noted elsewhere on this website.

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