Tennessee · Hiking · Near Red Bank

Flipper Bend

4.0 mi
loop
309 ft
climb
1,843 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Flipper Bend is an easy hike of about 4 miles in the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge Designated State Natural Area in Tennessee, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The trail rises from a low point of about 1,586 feet to a high of about 1,843 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 2.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 18%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 70°F with lows near 47°F, and April highs around 71°F. That station sits about 140 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the higher ground run a little cooler. The Clear Branch Loop Trail starts just 0.1 mile away. Climbers can head to Lower Leda, about 1.4 miles off, and the Blue Hole hike is about 1.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    North Chickamauga Campsite

    Campground

    Campground · 2.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Delias Mexican

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rainsTVSRR at English Wikipedia . Photo by Jason Trew / TVSRR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

    Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 11 mi from Red Bank

    Railroad museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: TVSRR at English Wikipedia . Photo by Jason Trew / TVSRR, Public domain (commons)

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

    Best time to visit Flipper Bend

    Best months: March–June and September–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

      48° / 28°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      51° / 31°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 38°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 47°

      9 wet

    5. May

      78° / 55°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 62°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 65°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 64°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 47°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 38°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      50° / 32°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Soddy Daisy-Mowbray Mtn, TN, 3.9 mi away at 1,700 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors