The Hike-In Hidden Gem
Charit Creek Lodge: The Hike-In Hidden Gem That Sells the Chattanooga Lifestyle
If you’ve lived in Chattanooga for any amount of time, you’ve probably said some version of this: “I can’t believe we live here.” And I’ll be honest — that sentence is a big part of why I love what I do.
Because the Chattanooga lifestyle doesn’t sell itself through square footage.
It sells through weekends like this.
Charit Creek Lodge is one of my favorite “not far from town” adventures that feels like you teleported into another era: historic cabins tucked deep in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, a hike-in approach that forces you to slow down, wood-burning stoves warming the space, and family-style dinner by candlelight — even in the rain.
This is the kind of place you bring your framily — friends who are basically family — because it’s not just a trip. It’s a shared memory.
Why Charit Creek Lodge is worth the hike
Charit Creek Lodge is accessible only by hiking, biking, or horseback, which is exactly why it feels so special.
When you commit to walking in, you leave a lot behind: noise, notifications, and the feeling that you’re supposed to be doing something else.
A few things to know going in:
There’s no electricity (bring a headlamp/flashlight).
Cell service is limited down in the valley.
Cabins can be warmed with wood-burning stoves in colder months.
Meals are served family-style at set times — dinner at 6PM and breakfast at 8AM (Eastern Time).
And yes… the food is unreal. I’m just going to say it plainly: give me more cheese grits.
Quick logistics: where to park + how to hike in
There are multiple ways to get to the lodge — you can keep it short, or make it an adventure.
Option 1: The shortest route (classic lodge approach)
Charit Creek Lodge Trailhead → about 1.3 miles
This is the cleanest “get me to the cabin” route and it’s great if you’re bringing a mixed group.
Option 2: Twin Arches first (highly recommend)
Twin Arches Trailhead → 1.7 or 3.9 miles to the lodge depending on route
Twin Arches itself is a short walk (.7 miles to the arches), and from there you can follow the loop down to the lodge with roughly a 400 ft descent.
Our favorite flow: arches first → lodge second.
What the day feels like (and why it matters)
The road trip + the hike-in
This is the kind of outing that resets a group without anyone trying too hard. You road trip in, step onto trail, and the conversation changes. People start looking up. Laughing more. Not rushing.
The historic cabins…even in the rain
Some places get ruined by bad weather. Charit gets better. The porch views, the sound of rain on the roof, the way the fog settles in the valley — it’s the kind of cozy you can’t manufacture.
The lodge dinner: family-style, candlelight, no distractions
Dinner is served at a set time, everybody sits down together, and it feels… old-school in the best way.
No one is looking at a screen. People linger. Someone starts telling stories. Somebody else starts laughing so hard they can’t breathe.
Later, there’s music in the lodge, a fire going, and you’re reminded why we chase experiences instead of stuff.
What to pack (so you’re cozy, not miserable)
Headlamp + backup batteries
Rain jacket (seriously)
Layers (valley temps can surprise you)
Trail shoes with grip
A book / cards / a simple game (you’ll actually use it)
Chattanooga lifestyle sells — and this is exactly why
When people ask me what makes Chattanooga special, I can talk about neighborhoods and home features all day… but what really lands is this: We live in a place where a random weekend can feel like a vacation.
Big South Fork is close enough to make it doable, wild enough to feel like an escape, and Charit Creek Lodge is one of the most memorable ways to experience it. That’s what I mean when I say “home” is bigger than a house. It’s the life you get to live because of where you’re planted.
So if you’ve been needing a reset — book the trip and go. Bring your framily. Hike the arches. Eat the food. Sit by the fire. Let the rain do its thing.
And if you’re reading this thinking, “Yeah… that’s the kind of life I want more of,” I get it. That’s why I love helping people land in places that fit how they actually want to live — not just what they want to buy.
