United States
Tennessee (TN)
Chattanooga
Things to Do in Chattanooga
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, Chattanooga: Hours, Address, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center Reviews: 4/5

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Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

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Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
4
158
#32 of 115 things to do in Chattanooga
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens
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Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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About
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center offers over 300 acres of scenic splendor, outdoor recreation, botanical and wildlife exhibits, and more. Just five miles from downtown Chattanooga, we are family-friendly and dog-friendly. Hike, ride your bicycle, paddle or fish on Lookout Creek, or just chill.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
57 within 3 miles
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0.7 mi
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400
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
158 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
59
Average
21
Poor
7
Terrible
3
ELKW
United States11,496 contributions
a kind of natural area
Jun 2021
We have some time to go spend, but as we booked the timed ticket of Rock City garden, we just have not more than 1 hr to spend, it normally required admission fee ($15 per family), but as the staff know that we just have less than one hr to spend here, she waived our admission fee, really thanks so much for her. So that we can tour here a bit. There is a few animals (mainly reptiles) to see in the glass container, there is a wooden playground for kids, some wooden board walk trail, leading to tree house (but the tree house is ruined one although still photographic at some angle), I also see there is canoe, but the water seems very dirty? brownish yellow dead water. Anyway, we have some leisure walk there.
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ARose
Charlotte, NC912 contributions
Great outdoors area - does cost money
Dec 2019
On holidays or weekends, there will likely be someone sitting at a table in the parking lot expecting a donation of $10 per adult - that is the only reason this is not a 5 star review. Its a nice outdoor space, but not worth a $10 admission. Website says it is donation based, but when we asked the attendant a question, she charged us $37 to visit for 3 adults and 1 kid. There are walking trails in the woods and wetlands area - but some trails may be closed off. There is an animal exhibit which is great, but small. The nature center has a small playground and a field with horses behind it. Most of the nature loops are fairly short and easy to accomplish with young kids.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lindsay S
2 contributions
Great Morning with Vlad
Mar 2022
My son is learning about birds at school so what better way to bring it to it life than a hike with a vulture. We took a short stroll around the pond as we watched Vlad the Vulture explore, just like having a dog on a walk with us.

Everyone we met was so welcoming, and our guides were super knowledgeable. We learned so much, and my son thought it was pretty cool to have a vulture hang out with him.

Great experience and hope to return for more interactive experiences. We also did the Raptor talk that morning, and my 7-year-old stayed engaged for a full hour. No easy feat!
Written March 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ashley H
1 contribution
So disappointing!!!!
Sep 2021 • Family
This place has went downhill!!! I used to volunteer here and it was so beautiful! I have no idea what happened but I went today and couldn't have been more disappointed. I brought all my kids, paid $20, only to realize once we got there that you dont even get to see the animals anymore...WHAT!! So I guess I am paying to be able to walk along a poorly maintained boardwalk and look at the severely weeded landscaping. We were all so disappointed. There is nothing for kids there. Don't waste your money!! There are so many beautiful FREE nature hikes in Chattanooga. Dont pay here just to be disappointed. So sad that this beautiful place no longer exists.
Written September 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lori L
Pensacola, FL8 contributions
The animal encounter is expensive but we loved it!! Taylor was very informative. Wish we had more time to explore.
Jul 2021 • Family
We scheduled an animal encounter with “Todd” the red fox and with a corn snake. We were lucky and also saw the red wolves and heard them howl as well as seeing and hearing a red shoulder hawk. Our guide “Taylor” was very knowledgeable.
We then walked the boardwalk to the tree house. There is 300 acres with many trails that we didn’t have time to explore. Would love to go again, walk the trails and paddle on the creek. The encounter is expensive. Young children might lose interest. We had an 8 year old who loves wildlife and we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience. There is a 3 mile path that can only be driven if you have a handicap decal. Check their Facebook page for details but this Saturday they will begin to offer a time to see the animals. (This area is it not usually open to the public.) The area is low and floods in the spring. It can be muddy after rain other months. It wasn’t bad when we visited.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
deanie13
Cleveland, TN167 contributions
$15 for not much
Jun 2021
This place would be perfectly fine if it were free, but we had to pay $15 for parking. All we did was walk around on a very slippery boardwalk through a swampy place. Then we walked to native plant sales place. Then back to the car. The animal exhibit was closed. Apparently if you are members you get to canoe for free. We stayed about an hour. Totally not worth $15.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Richard
10 contributions
Historic area but
Sep 2020
Been going there for years. Very historic area. They run a haphazard zoo/rescue if you want to call it that. Canoe portage is through a swamp. The place is in no hurry as its all Millennials out there. Visit Chickamauga Battlefield it is close by and offers a lot more for free.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lesposito316
Metairie, LA31 contributions
One of our favorite places we visited during our honeymoon in Chattanooga!
Oct 2013
If you would want to take a great, non strenuous hike in Chattanooga, this is the place to go! We almost skipped it based on a very negative review we saw from this month, but I am so glad we stopped by to check it out! Yes, some exhibits like the wildlife wander land are best for some people only if they're with kids, but we thought the staff did an excellent job explaining why the animals are housed there and their plan to conserve the red wolves existence! Ps, get out of the car and walk along the Reflection Rd and explore. That's where the real fun is! There are tons of hidden treasures like crazy wild turkeys, bamboo gardens, and rock formations along the trails. It was truly one of our favorite spots in the week we stayed in Chattanooga. Also some of the best natural photo ops!
Written October 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Gerry
Chattanooga, TN1,776 contributions
Take a Canoe Trip
Jul 2013 • Couples
The arboretum is a nice place to relax and enjoy nature while in Chattanooga. They also have an aviary with large birds of prey that is pretty cool, and a den of Red Wolves. At the right time of day you can hear them howling......very spooky. While there be sure and take a canoe trip up Lookout Creek. They rent canoes for a fair price.
Written April 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
IdahoGirl83716
Boise, ID333 contributions
Cool Spot
Mar 2015 • Solo
A local reccomended this place to me and I was pretty impressed. It would have received 5 stars, but they have a 'zoo' of sorts and my heart was broken at the sight of the Red Coyotes pacing in figure eights with the saddest, broken look in their eyes. The Riding can be driven or walked -- and has a few
very old cabins and other historical spots sprinkled around the 300 acre property. For people wanting more of a work-out, you can access several trails that will take you all the way to the top of Lookout Mountain - site of the famous Battle fro Chattanooga.
Written March 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center is open:
  • Tue - Sat 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center tours on Tripadvisor
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