About Blue Blazes Trail
The Blue Blazes Trail is an easy, mostly flat loop through woods, swamps, and along the Tennessee River in the Moccasin Bend area near downtown Chattanooga. Reviewers consistently praise the scenery, birds and wildlife, and quiet, uncrowded character, and many call it good for children and dogs. The dominant complaint is drainage: the primitive dirt path turns muddy and holds water for days after rain, and one reviewer says it is essentially unusable much of the year. Other recurring notes include overgrowth, roots and fallen debris, bugs and poison ivy, limited parking, and a history of car break-ins at the parking area. It scores strongly for scenery and ease, but weakly for maintenance after wet weather.
At a Glance
Trail Score
out of 10
Why Riders Choose Blue Blazes Trail
The top themes reviewers mention most.
- Scenic river, forest, and wetland views8 mentions
- Easy, mostly flat terrain suitable for kids6 mentions
- Quiet and uncrowded2 mentions
- Rich wildlife and birds3 mentions
Trail Conditions
⚠️ Surface condition: Rough
⛰️ Perceived difficulty: Flat easy
Crowds & Best Times to Go
Who Uses This Trail
Scenery & Views
Highlights: Tennessee River views, pine forest mixed with swamps and bogs, large oak tree ("Mother Tree"), abundant birds and wildlife, pink/rainbow-colored swamp water in late winter and early spring
Safety & Upkeep
🛡️ No specific time-of-day concerns mentioned.
⚠️ Concerns noted: vehicle break ins
Parking & Amenities
⚠️ Parking concern: break ins
Dogs on the Trail
Trail Etiquette & Community
Who It's Best For
Great for
Less ideal for
What Could Be Better
- Muddy and flooded for days after rain due to poor drainage9
- Overgrowth, roots, and fallen trees or debris3
- Car break-ins at the parking area2
- Limited parking1
- Bugs, ticks, and poison ivy3
What Riders Say
"Very easy trail. No expertise needed. Easy enough to navigate for children who are supervised."
"you cant use it over half the year because it doesn't drain well at all after it rains"
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers based on what riders say in their reviews.
Is the Blue Blazes Trail paved?
No. Reviewers describe it as a primitive natural dirt trail with raised plank boardwalks in the wet areas.
How difficult is the trail?
Most reviewers describe it as flat and easy walking, noting it is navigable even for supervised children.
Does the trail get muddy or flooded?
Yes. Many reviewers report it becomes very muddy and holds water for days after rain, and some suggest avoiding it right after wet weather.
Is the trail crowded?
Reviewers generally describe it as quiet, with one noting no one else was on the trail during their walk.
Is parking easy to find?
Reviewers note there are not many parking spots, so plan to arrive early.
Is it safe to leave valuables in the car?
No. Multiple reviewers warned about a history of car break-ins at the parking area.
Ride Blue Blazes Trail
Plan your visit or open the trail on the map.