Frequently Asked Questions
How many people will be on the guided hiking tour with me?
All of our tours are private — meaning it’s just you, the two guides (Ryan & Hope), and whoever you bring along with you! We specialize in private tours for couples, families, solo travelers, and small groups. Don’t expect to share your tour with strangers - these are not group tours!
Where can I find pricing for your tours?
You can find per person pricing for all of our tours by visiting our “Book Your Experience” page, however if you have children or a group of 4 adults or more please contact us so that we can offer you a special group rate! :)
What is included in the price?
All tours include transportation to & from the hiking trails, an edited professional photo gallery of the outing, expert guidance from locals who are professionally licensed + insured, snacks & waters, and discount coupons for some of the top local Chattanooga restaurants.
Do you offer family / group / military discounts?
We offer discounts for families with children, discounts for groups of 4 adults or more, and discounts for active military or veterans. *Limited to one discount per group. Shoot us an email or call us for the reduced rates.
Are the tours kid-friendly?
It depends on the tour, how old your kids are and their ability level. We have something for everyone, but we recommend some tours over others for young kids. For example, our Alpacas & Coffee & Mountains Tour is perfect for kids, but our “Best of Tennessee” Tour may be unfit for young children due to the length of the tour (6-7 hours) and the high mountain cliffs we hike to. Please email us or call us and we will recommend a tour based on your family’s specific needs.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, but please bring a leash. All of our guided hiking tours take place in public parks where pets are required to be on leash. In addition to that, some hikes lead to high mountain cliffs where you will want a leash for safety. We love when customers bring their pets! :)
Is there an extra charge for the professional photography?
Nope! Every tour we offer comes with a high-quality, professional photo gallery included. You can expect your entire Experience to be captured on our camera from start to finish, with both candid and posed shots along the way. After the tour, we edit the photos and deliver them to your email within 48 hours.
How will I receive my photo gallery?
The email you provide for us at booking is where the edited photo gallery will be sent. You can download the images straight to your phone or laptop for free.
Can I bring my drone?
Drones are not permitted in any of the parks we guide in due to area regulations.
Where do you offer transportation (pick-up & drop-off) from?
We will pick you up from your hotel, vacation rental, or home if its located near the immediate downtown Chattanooga area. We reserve the right to determine if a location is outside of our pick-up range.
If your accommodation is outside of downtown, we will have you meet us at our designated, safe local pick-up location where we will take care of the transportation to the trailheads & back from there!
If your accommodation is outside of downtown, but near one of the trailheads, we may be able to do pick-up & drop-off for you.
In some cases, we have our guests meet us at the trailheads. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us!
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be made more than 48 hours in advance in order to receive a full refund. Cancellations within the 48-hour window will receive a 50% refund. Once an Experience has started, no refunds will be issued.
What if the weather forecast is calling for rain/storms?
All of our tours are weather-dependent. In the event of a hazardous or uncooperative weather forecast, your tour may be rescheduled to a day of your choosing or a full refund may be issued. We do not go out in lightning or thunderstorms. We reserve the right to cancel a tour if we deem the weather is unacceptable. In rare circumstances, the parks may be closed if icy/snowy conditions are present. We do our very best to stay on top of local weather conditions and ensure safety!
Where do the guided hiking tours take place?
All of our guided hikes take place in public parks within an hour of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Can you take me hiking at a location not listed on your website?
We may not be able to fulfill your personal request if it is outside of a permitted guiding area. Tour guiding companies in the state of Tennessee are subject to regulations, only allowed to guide commercially in certain parks + areas, and require authorized permits. The tours we have available are carefully curated to provide the best, most scenic hikes within our company’s permitted areas near Chattanooga.
Are you open year-round?
We sure are! Each season offers unique perspectives. The waterfalls are biggest in the winter, when Tennessee gets the most rainfall. Spring in Chattanooga consists of beautiful blooming wildflowers and the green leaves returning to the trees. Summertime fun consists of cooling off by swimming under waterfalls! And autumn in Chattanooga is truly a sight to behold with all of the vibrant, multicolored leaves.
Am I required to sign any waivers or releases?
Yes. Experience Chattanooga requires all participants to sign a Release, Liability Waiver, and Indemnity Agreement, which includes a photo release. Parents/guardians must sign for any members of their group that are under the age of 18. Minors must have a parent/guardian present on all tours. Participants acknowledge the inherent risk of outdoor activities and that they are ultimately responsible for their own safety. A photo release is required acknowledging that Experience Chattanooga has full rights to any photos/videos taken and the media may be used for, but not limited to: advertising, marketing, social media, and website use.
What is the alcohol/drug policy?
We do NOT allow drugs or alcohol on our tours. This includes vapes with illegal substances (substances illegal in the state of TN) or bringing a bottle of alcohol to celebrate a bachelorette/engagement/etc on the hike. This is for everyone’s safety and because it is prohibited in all of the parks we guide in.
Who might benefit the most from Experience Chattanooga’s guided hiking tours?
We’ve had customers book us for a wide variety of different reasons! Here are 4 common scenarios (but not limited to) on why people book with us based on customer feedback:
1) You’re visiting Chattanooga soon and searching for the best outdoor activities to do in Chattanooga with your family, friends, or significant other. You highly value having transportation provided, professional photography taken care of, local guides, and not having to worry about bringing or planning anything except enjoying the hike.
2) You’re new to Chattanooga and want to hike & connect with knowledgeable local guides before hitting the trails on your own as well as getting suggestions for your next hike.
3) You’re local to Chattanooga and want to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or special date in an out-of-the-ordinary way. The professional photography is a huge perk for you and you can’t wait to hit the trails and make memories to look back on with beautiful scenery.
4) You’re a solo traveler not wanting to hike alone on the trails in Chattanooga while you’re in town, but love the idea of hiking safely with local & informative guides instead.