Audubon Acres

Location = Audubon Acres. ​900 N. Sanctuary Rd, Chattanooga. There are 5 miles of hiking trails and a 1 mile section of creek for playing in and exploring. The Visitor Center has a map and small collection of interesting artifacts. Tubes are available to rent, and kayaks can be signed out during warmer months.

Spring Frog Warrior Home

Spring Frog Cabin = B on map. The cabin at Audubon Acres was the home to Cherokee Tooan-tuh - who was born in the cabin in 1754, see photo up top. One source says the cabin was likely built in the mid-1700's by Cherokee. Tooan-tuh means "Spring Frog" and he grew up to be a Cherokee leader and warrior.

Spring Frog was very athletic, a skilled hunter, and good at playing ball which later became Lacrosse. He stood for peace, and only turned into the ferocious warrior when lives were threatened. Spring Frog even fought beside General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812.

Sometime later, he relocated to Oklahoma where he endorsed the first law of the Western Cherokee - to appoint a horse company to maintain peace. In 1838 he was sent to Washington D.C. as a Cherokee delegate. They say he drowned in July 1859, making him 104 or 105. I mean.... that's like seriously OLD. His life-size stone coffin for a gravestone is so unique - it's listed in Ripley's Believe it or Not.

It's said that Spring Frog be-friended John Audubon, a Frenchman who traveled half the USA to study and draw birds. The first Audubon Society was created in Massachusetts in 1895, named after John for his works.

It's perfect for a 1 day trip. NO Pets Allowed. Cheap entry fee. Open 7 days/week, but check for holiday closures. The entry fee helps this non-profit Society host fun activities & educational tours to preserve the environment, culture, and history.

A great add-on trip: Cherokee Power at Red Clay

Swinging Bridge

Swinging Bridge = C on map. Located about 1/4 mile from the Visitor's Center. It's a nice swinging suspension bridge that takes you across S. Chickamauga Creek to the hilly side of the park. Everything on the Visitor Center side is pretty flat. God's color palette is in perfectly striking contrast to the blue-green waters. Then for a bit of dramatic, add in the dark tree trunks for artistic flair.

FYI: Swinging Bridge is the only bridge across the creek. Wading across is your only other option, and you can do it at the Ford of Youth in the next section below. Even in October, there were a few 2 foot deep holes. The large tree against the bank will help you get to a little island in the middle of the creek. But from there - it's all you and the water.

Little Owl Village

Little Owl Village = I on map. The site is located about 1 mile from the Visitor's Center. Although there's no visible remains, it's interesting to see the site of the village. Evidence exists that Tristan de Luna's expedition in the 1560's likely discovered the Napochie tribe's Little Owl Village. I've also read that Chief Little Owl settled in the area in 1777.

Archaeologists uncovered a 23 foot round winter house there, with a hearth for cooking and pits with bones of deer & raccoon and hickory nuts. It's believed that De Luna also witnessed the burning of the village by another tribe. There's a 1/4 mile loop trail around the village.

We hiked all over enjoying nature & the early fall colors. Photos below are on the trail along the creek, on the Visitor Center side. Can you see the Hummingbird shape in the bottom left, photo below left? Pretty cool.

Audubon Acres Programs

• Bluebird Cam on their website - see natural behaviors that occur in the nest.

• Summer camps playing in the creek - and kids learn about nature & build confidence.

• Be a volunteer at their Pioneer Day 1800's event in November, and more.

• Animals seen regularly - raccoon, opossum, muskrat, beaver, groundhog, and rabbit.

• Animals seen occasionally - fox, coyote, bobcat, and river otter.

• Tubes are available to rent, and you can check out kayaks.

Ford of Youth

Ford of Youth = F on map. Ford of Youth is actually a creek crossing back to the other side. We looked at the map when we first picked it up at the Visitor Center and remembered it looked like there would be another bridge. So we're here..... but NO bridge. Well aren't we dumb!!! I mean...... we had the MAP in our pocket the whole time.

So, we turned this into another adventure - to see if we could cross the creek and continue on the trail back to the parking lot. Our goal was to make it across with dry shoes. We had some good rains even into the summer months, so the creek was still fairly full and rushing & gushing. OK, what's our strategy? Duh, find a shallow route across!

First, we did some scrambling across large logs that fell from shore to the sandbar about 1/3 of the way across. Since I have trouble walking on logs with nothing to hold onto - I mostly crossed doing a crawl maneuver. Made it - still have dry shoes.

From the sandbar however, we could see the water levels better, and realized there weren't enough big rocks to rock hop across. And, there were several fairly deep looking holes. Time to face reality.... we're gonna get wet. We missed our goal, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. Overall, an exhilarating experience. Finally across and wet to mid-calf, we began the squishy trek back to the car. FYI: tie your shoelaces tight if the water is flowing fairly strong.

Vacation Travel Tips

• Average temps high/low = Summer 88/73 degrees F. Winter 50/33.

• TN ranks 7th for humidity. Expect snow in mountain regions.

• Backpack essentials - water, bug spray, sunscreen, whistle, flashlight, cell phone, pocket knife, and a light jacket.

• Winter Essentials - thermal blanket, waterproof boots, warm clothing.

• Hiking conditions - trails can be wet & slippery after summer rains. Prepare for snow in higher elevations.

• Vehicle safety – Keep a spare blanket, boots, jacket, gloves, and snacks in the car. Winter roads can be icy & snow covered - use “winter” tires. If you only have "all season" tires, take snow chains.

• Wild animals - Audubon Acres has raccoon, opossum, muskrat, beaver, groundhog, and rabbit. These are seen regularly. They also have fox, coyote, bobcat, and river otter which are seen on occasionally.

• Trash - Pack out what you pack in.

• Rivers/lakes – river shoes are very helpful. Heavy winter rains mean deep, ice-cold & fast moving water in spring.

• Poison oak & ivy - always know before you touch. The common Oak has 3 leaflets per stem but can have more. Ivy always has 3 leaflets.

• Poisonous Snakes - 4 types, found on land, water, and trees. They generally prefer to avoid humans, usually biting only if threatened.

• Wilderness areas – take a buddy & tell someone your travel plans.

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