Georgia · Hiking · Near Red Bank

John Smartt Trail

1.8 mi
round trip
1,955 ft
climb
1,672 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Clear at last check

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 17 h ago

Is John Smartt Trail open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

As of · Source: NPS · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The John Smartt Trail is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3.7 miles within Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Georgia, managed by the National Park Service. The route gains about 1,955 feet in elevation over the round trip, with the high point at 1,672 feet and the low at 692 feet. It works well as a day hike that can be combined with other short walks in the park. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 68°F in April to 67°F in October, while July highs average about 84°F. That station sits a few hundred feet higher than the trail, so temperatures on the trail run a little warmer. The trail is close to several other routes. Jackson Gap Trail, Bluff Trail and Ochs Gateway Trail all start about 0.1 mile away. Rock City, a climbing area, is roughly 1.6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Moonshine Campsite

    Campground

    Campground · 3.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Taco Bell

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rainsPub. by Cline Photo Co., Chattanooga. Tenn. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros.,..., Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

    Ochs Memorial Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Pub. by Cline Photo Co., Chattanooga. Tenn. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros.,..., Public domain (commons)

More in Red Bank
  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit John Smartt Trail

    Best months: March–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 29°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 31°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      58° / 39°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 47°

      11 wet

    5. May

      74° / 57°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 65°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 67°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 61°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      67° / 51°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 40°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 32°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN, 3.3 mi away at 2,110 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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