IMPORTANT NOTE: Veterans Bridge runs over Maclellan Island, not down to it. All access is by water only.
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Maclellan IslandMaclellan Island is an 18.8-acre nature sanctuary situated in the middle of the Tennessee River, in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. The island is home to a great diversity of plants, animals, and birds. 1.5 miles of trails offer a peaceful setting for hiking and bird watching, while the beaches offer a place to rest while paddling or spend an afternoon by the water. A campsite is available for overnight reservation and picnic tables are present for day-use visitors as well.
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There is a $5 fee for day use of Maclellan Island. Members of Chattanooga Audubon Society are welcome to use the property as a perk of their membership. You can learn more about membership here. Overnight camping is by permit only. Use the button below to purchase an overnight camping permit. CAS members camp for free (maximum of two nights free, discounted rate for longer stays), but reservations are still required (please contact us to reserve).
Know before you go!There are no offices or permanent staff on the island. There are privies available on Maclellan Island in the picnic area, but no water or electricity. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended due to the presence of poison ivy on the island. Please check weather conditions before visiting and dress accordingly. Maclellan Island is maintained as a primitive urban wilderness: know your limitations and go prepared.
Maclellan Island is accessible by water only. There are no roads that lead down to the island. You will need to provide your own transportation. Our good friends at L2 Outside rent kayaks and paddleboards that launch from Coolidge Park. We highly recommend utilizing their rental service! |
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Island Rules
A Rich History Maclellan Island’s earliest inhabitants were Native Americans whose island community was likely an extension or suburb of Citico, a nearby village. Farmed in the 1800’s and early 1900’s, the island was plowed for many years and largely free of the trees which shade it today. Floods have covered the island from time to time and drove away numerous early settlers including one early farmer, Abel Kesterson, who survived rising waters in 1867 only by holding onto the horns of his cow as they swam to safety. The island eventually passed through the hands of several prominent companies as well as a number of more rambunctious inhabitants. Finally in 1954 Maclellan Island was donated to the Chattanooga Audubon Society by Robert J. Maclellan for preservation as a wildlife refuge.
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Restoration EffortsSince 2023, we've put thousands of hours of work into removing invasive plant species and restoring native species. This includes a prescribed burn, rotational grazing using goats, and live staking.
You can read in more detail about our efforts here. Camp on the IslandReserving Maclellan Island is easy! Click the button below to be taken to our booking site. Select the dates you'd like to camp and pay directly through the website. You will receive a confirmation with all the information you need to know!
(CAS Members camp for free! Please contact us to learn more.)
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Important Note: Veteran's Bridge runs over Maclellan Island, not down to it. All access is by water only.