signal point

Signal Point is a state park site that offers a spectacular view of Lookout Mountain the Tennessee River and downtown Chattanooga. A medium challenge walk from the free parking lot to the overlook is well worth the effort. Take a picnic lunch with you and enjoy a the beautiful vista.

Signal Point is a free park that's a fairly easy drive to get to. Parking is also free and unless you go at a peak time, there are generally several spaces available. It's got beautiful views of the TN River and you can see a great deal of the valley from the overlooks they have along the trail. The first part of the hike is straight downhill along several sets of natural and rock stairs. I'll be honest, it's not the easiest hike for those less experienced and you need to go slow and be very careful - but once you get past that it's maybe a 10-15 minute hike to a beautiful bluff overview. After that it's pretty flat, easy hiking until you get to a small suspension bridge (maybe another 20-30 minutes) and then a much large suspension bridge a few minutes after that. If you go beyond that, you will find Rainbow Falls where people like to hang out and go swimming. It's a little harder to find though and the path was covered with leaves when I went so I had to turn back. There's an alternate entrance behind the Alexian Way Retirement Center, but I never went to that one. I was told it started directly at the waterfall though. Always be careful hiking, take a fully charged cell phone and let someone know your plans. I worked in emergency services and we had a couple rescues a year from people falling off the waterfall.

The view is awesome and it's a good spot for a picnic. The good news is that it is a national park so it is free and not burdened by crap for sale. If you are able, spend an hour hiking on the trails, but watch the kids---there are some very high bluffs. My favorite view is the bluff that looks toward Edwards Point. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to it. You can also walk to Edwards Point, which has an even better view (but that takes about an hour or more).

Wow! We took the "W" (?) up the mountain in lieu of the more traveled road in favor of the view of the turning leaves on the trees. Spectacular ride although not easy for the driver to see as there are no pull over points on this road. We went through a quaint town to reach this non commercial park high on the point of Signal Mountain in Chattanooga. Wonderful view of the river and the perspective of the Civil War soldiers who kept watch there. Worth it for history buffs as well as the view. Be careful though, it is a cliff. Not for small children on the loose.

Historic site overlooking the Tennessee River on Signal Mountain. Peaceful setting in Signal Mountain historic district.

I moved to Signal Mountain in 1960, the year I turned 8. I quickly became familiar with Signal Point. In those days there was not wall or rock "hut". It was wide open for us to throw things over the side or lay on our tummies to look over the side. The path around the edge has been popular for years with scout troops and hikers alike. Today it is a lovely park, well worth the drive from Downtown Chattwnooga. If you are visiting the area and want to see the mountains with out the crowd of Lookout Mountain, come see this lovely place and learn about the connection with the Civil War. Have a picnic and relax. If you live inn Chatt. And have never visited then you have missed a very lovely park with outstanding scenery. YES, come here!!!

Signal point offers beautiful stunning views and a romantic picnic spot. The hike was not too easy- you have to be fairly fit to master it and it can get very steep. The views are a pay off for the hard work- not a long hike but a pretty hard one! Enjoyed this and all for free! :-)

The only bad thing about our trip is that we had to leave! The owners, Chip and Laura, were as nice as anyone could be. The cottage was old, charming and inviting. I went with my 24 year old daughter and her boyfriend for a "last hurrah" hiking trip before she leaves for medical school in 2 weeks. Her boyfriend's first comment was, "this is the coolest house I have ever been in". I think that says it all. One thing is for sure.....we will be back! Thanks for everything, Chip and Laura. It was a glorious 5 days. :)

This is a lovely park. Beautiful views of the TN River, downtown Chattanooga and toward Lookout Mt. Well worth visiting.

A Great place to spend a little time and even hike down to Rainbow Falls. The hike is not for the faint at heart, but very doable for the healthy person.Read the historical markers to give yourself a blast back into the past when the Yankees were Invading the South, The Civil War.

My home is withing walking distance and one of the places we always take out of town guests. The scenery is lovely and the plaques relate the historical events of the site accurately. Not a good venue for small children or the handicapped as it is a healthy trek from the parking lot to the overlook...and even more strenuous coming back! But, if you're reasonably fit and/or have children who listen to warnings of possible danger, you'll enjoy the effort.

Signal Point has a view of the TN River gorge that cannot be described for its beauty. There is also an amazing hike to more incredible scenery. Just know before you go, the view cannot be seen from the parking lot, so if you cant walk or roll down the hill, you should drive alond the brow road to see the views.

We walked the .9 mile hike to the waterfall just to barely see water coming out but it was a beautiful view! :)

Signal Point has some great views of the river, Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. The only drawback is it is difficult to find and not well marked off of the main roads. There is a very interesting climb down the mountain that can be challenging at points but it is well worth the hike.

The point is an easy walk to breath taking views of the "grand canyon of the Tennessee". As a Civil War point of interest it's worth the visit to get a better perspective of military maneuvering around Chattanooga then. As a place of tranquility it is a wonderful place to sit back and let time melt away.