Hiking With Kids On Signal Mountain

When I think of Signal Mountain, I think of trails and exploration. Woven throughout the community are various trails and paths, opportunities for adventures, both short and more extensive. Trails to our library, trails to the town pool, trails to the Mountain Arts Community Center, and even trails to our schools. The natural beauty of Signal Mountain is integrated into the community as people go about their daily lives. 

Beyond the daily rhythms of life, Signal Mountain offers opportunities for intentional hikes and outdoor time that can be enjoyable both for local Signal residents and for others who just want to spend a morning, afternoon, or whole day here. 

When it comes to parenting, it seems that everything just flows and feels better when some outdoor time is enjoyed by all. Hiking is one way to experience the outdoors with kids. I know in our family, it seems that while hikes do not always go perfectly, there is something so life-giving about getting outdoors together. When we are outside, every family member seems to benefit from time to have an adventure, soak up beauty, move their bodies, and take a break from work and school, laundry, sports, and screens. When we do something that we all enjoy, it strengthens a sense of connection both as a family and to the place around us.

Two of my favorite places to hike and explore with young kids in the community are Rainbow Lake and McCoy Farm and Gardens.

Rainbow Lake

Rainbow Lake trail can be accessed by parking in a lot on Ohio Avenue, right next to the Alexian. The hike is downhill to the water, and of course that means the return trip to the car is uphill and requires a little more energy. A short way into the hike, there’s an opportunity marked with trail signs to take a left for a shorter hike to the water area. This path ultimately leads to a bridge over water and lots of rocks and terrain for kids to explore. If you are interested in a more strenuous hike, this path connects to longer trails to allow for access to Signal Point and Edwards Point. These are more challenging and are not as easy with young kids. Overall, this is a Signal Mountain classic hike that can offer both beauty and adventure to the family.

McCoy Farm and Gardens

McCoy Farm and Gardens is lovely to visit whether you’re looking to hike or simply stroll around the beautiful house and gardens. If you desire more of a hike, it offers a combination of gravel paths and hiking trails that makes it feel at times like a hike and other times more like a relaxed walk. Benches are interspersed along the path allowing opportunities for rest if you have a young child with you or if you might also need a minute! There is a “wobbly” bridge, as my daughter calls it, that brings some extra adventure to spending time there, and grassy areas around the main house that invite you to slow down, consider a picnic, and maybe take some pictures. It’s so lovely that in addition to walkers coming every day, McCoy hosts weddings and other community events. 

The opportunities for hiking on Signal Mountain are not limited to these options.

There are a few different trails along Timberlinks Road that lead to various hiking trails along Middle Creek. These are not marked, but are some of our favorite areas to explore with our family. We often see people bouldering along these trails. Falling Water Falls is a stunning short hike (if you choose to park right by the shorter hike option) with incredible views that are worth a visit, but use extreme caution with children due to the drop offs along the edge. Mabbit Springs is another favorite and allows for a longer hike to Falling Water Falls and beauty along the way with a historic original spring.

The opportunities for hiking and adventure on Signal Mountain are abundant, and the area is so worth a visit for all located nearby as well as for those visiting Chattanooga. 

To learn more about other hiking options on Signal Mountain, visit here. For more hikes in and around Chattanooga as a whole, be sure to read this. If you are ready to get outside of Chattanooga and desire to visit a nearby state park, read here.