River GORGEous! A Feast of Foliage: Fall Color Cruises Offer Unique Perspective on Autumnal Splendor of Tennessee River Gorge

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – This year’s River GORGEous fall color cruises return on Oct. 22 and will occur twice each Sunday through Nov. 5.

Fall Color Cruise depart at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Oct. 22, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5. Special themed cruises are at 1 p.m. on their respective dates. Morning cruises depart from Chattanooga Pier, with passengers bussing back to Chattanooga at the trip’s conclusion. Afternoon cruises begin with a charter bus ride from Chattanooga to Hale’s Bar Marina with passengers cruising back to Chattanooga.

A normal River Gorge Explorer cruise takes guests on a two-hour, 24-mile round trip. River GORGEous Fall Color Cruises offer an extended journey that lasts three hours and 34 miles.

With peak fall color foliage expected to reach the lower Tennessee Valley from late October to mid-November, these special cruises are expected to show a natural wonder truly living up to the title.

Nicknamed “Tennessee’s Grand Canyon,” the Tennessee River Gorge is the fourth largest river canyon east of the Mississippi River. It straddles the Tennessee River for 26 winding miles. Because of the way sunlight falls on this sinuous geography, the canyon is home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal life. During the cruise, an on-board naturalist will point out passing animal life and discuss locations with historical or cultural significance.

In addition to the normal Fall Color Cruises, this year’s schedule includes two themed journeys. On Oct. 29, guests can learn more about efforts to preserve the gorge from a member of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. On Nov. 5, historian Jim Ogden will provide insights into the role the gorge and surrounding landscape played during the Civil War.

Tickets for children or adults are $40/$50 for members or $50/$60 for non-members. Because of the popularity of Fall Color Cruises, pre-registration is strongly recommended.

For more information or to reserve a seat, visit http://www.tnaqua.org/plan-your-visit/river-gorge-explorer/fall-color-cruises.

Photo credit: Betsy Bowden

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