New Finish line for 2026

Chattajack 2026 Is Coming!

On Saturday, October 24, we will once again take on the 31 miles through the Tennessee River

Gorge. This year marks our 15th Chattajack!

We’re working hard to make this year’s race experience the best yet, and that includes an

exciting change at the end of the CJ journey: The NEW Chattajack River Gorge Ranch Take-

Out!

SO WHAT’S THE NEW FINISH ABOUT?

After crossing the official Chattajack finish line, all racers (except OC-6 teams) will continue

approximately one mile downstream to the River Gorge Ranch Take-Out. Side note: The

distance of the CJ course hasn’t changed, just the take-out location. So don’t worry course-

record holders–you’re safe. For now at least!

Think of this final mile as your cool-down lap—a chance to catch your breath, reflect, and enjoy

the accomplishment.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE TAKE-OUT

When you reach the River Gorge Ranch take-out, our dock crew will proudly have your finisher

medal waiting. Grab a chocolate milk or some warm soup and when you’re ready follow the

“Blue Brick Road”—the marked pedestrian racer route connecting the dock with vessel storage,

nutrition, medical assistance, warming areas if it’s cold, and shuttle loading.

GETTING BACK TO YOUR VEHICLE

When the euphoria has settled and you’re ready, Chattajack’s shuttles will take racers on a two-

mile ride from the River Gorge Ranch take-out to the Riverdance parking area, where you will

retrieve your vehicle if you used the Riverdance parking lot. Men’s and women’s changing tents

will be in this parking lot for anyone wanting to get out of their race clothes before vessel pick-

up.

When ready, drive back to retrieve your vessel at:

River Gorge Ranch Take-Out

10639 US Highway 41

Guild, TN 37340

(This is a riverside property rather than a staffed business or marked street address. Look for

Chattajack signage on race day.)

Our parking team will direct you into an appropriate loading lane, load your vessel and gear,

then follow the marked route to the exit.

To keep traffic moving and minimize everyone’s wait, vessel pick-up will operate as a quick-

loading area with a five-minute loading limit. Please be ready to load and go when you return

with your vehicle.

The new take-out gives us room to create a safer, more organized, fun, and WAY more

welcoming finish-line experience. Our staff, volunteers, and resources will be stationed

throughout the property to guide you every step of the way.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the new finish.

Side Note for the OC-6 Teams: OC-6 crews will follow the same designated take-out and

process used in 2025. Chattajack’s OC-6 coordinators will make sure everyone knows what to

do for optimal flow.

CHATTAJACK FINISH LINE RIVERDANCE PARKING

Racers have two options for leaving a vehicle at the Riverdance parking area before the race:

FRIDAY EVENING

Drop your vessel off at board storage in Chattanooga, complete your pre-race check-in, and

then drive your vehicle to the designated River Gorge Ranch parking area.

This could become the perfect new Friday-night Chattajack tradition by leaving your vehicle in

place for race day, then enjoying dinner at Riverdance Restaurant, perched 1,000 feet above

Nickajack Lake and overlooking the Chattajack finish line.

Riverdance Restaurant

300 The Gorge Drive

Guild, TN 37340

Racers choosing this option will need a shuttle buddy (separate vehicle) to return to

Chattanooga. Limited rideshare service may be available, but because Riverdance is in a rural

area, racers should not depend on finding an on-demand driver. Anyone planning to use Uber

should schedule the trip in advance through Uber Reserve.

SATURDAY MORNING

You may also park at the Riverdance parking area on race morning and ride an official

Chattajack shuttle bus back to Chattanooga. Buses will depart promptly at 6:30AM, so racers

using this option must arrive early and be parked, loaded on the bus, and ready for on time

departure.

Please note: All Chattajack schedules and departure times are listed in Eastern Time.

Riverdance Restaurant is located in the Central Time Zone.

Complete parking instructions, shuttle departure times, and directions are posted on the

Chattajack website.

WHERE IS THE OFFICIAL FINISH LINE?

The official finish line will remain just downstream of historic Hales Bar Dam. A clearly marked

buoy chute will funnel racers toward the checkered-flag finish, located 947 linear feet from the

end of the dam—the same distance as before—so the official Chattajack course has not

changed.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

We’d love to have friends and family join us to welcome racers at the new finish! Because

parking is limited at the River Gorge Ranch Take-Out, spectator parking will be available at the

Riverdance parking area. From there, spectators can ride a Chattajack shuttle to the take-out.

LASTLY

We hope your training is going well! While you’re putting in the miles, we’re excitedly preparing

for this new chapter of Chattajack—for our racers, our volunteers, and all of us who can’t wait to

experience it together with you!

We’re stoked to be working alongside River Gorge Ranch/Riverdance, Chattanooga Heart

Institute, HUMA, SweetWater, Joe Bark Paddleboards, Flying Fish, ARE Tahiti, NK

USA/Shoreline Paddlesports, K2N, Quickblade, and the Tennessee River Gorge Trust to create

an unforgettable Chattajack experience for 2026!

Not drawn to scale! The official finish line will remain just downstream of historic Hales Bar Dam. A clearly marked buoy chute will funnel racers toward the checkered-flag finish, located 947 linear feet from the end of the dam—the same distance as before—so the official Chattajack course has not changed.