When you think of Chattanooga, you probably think of a cute city and fun outdoors-y activities. But what if we told you that one of the ultimate Chattanooga experiences was a hidden goat island. Huh? Yeah, you read that right. Keep scrolling to learn all about Maclellan Island, Chattanooga’s hidden gem!
About Maclellan Island
Maclellan Island is a tiny, 24-acre island, hidden away in the middle of the Tennessee River, in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. This one-of-a-kind, tiny island is the perfect place to camp, as long as you’re really into camping (and NOT glamping).
Only accessible by boat/paddle, there’s no road access to Maclellan Island, and it’s so secluded and quiet that there are only two campsites you can stay at.
According to Chattanooga Audubon Society, which works to restore and preserve the island,
The island is home to a great diversity of plants, animals, and birds. 1.5 miles of trails offer a peaceful setting for hiking and bird watching, while the beaches offer a place to rest while paddling or spend an afternoon by the water. A campsite is available for overnight reservation and picnic tables are present for day-use visitors as well.
Okay… doesn’t explain the goats, though.
So… why are there goats on the tiny island in the middle of Chattanooga? Great question.
One of the most interesting things about Maclellan Island is its goat residents. The goats were introduced to the island with a special job: help restoration efforts. You see, invasive plants like bush honeysuckle, English ivy, and other aggressive vines had totally taken over the island, choking out native species, destabilizing soils, and reducing habitat value for wildlife. Enter the goats.
Chattanooga Audubon Society says,
Because traditional methods hadn’t fully delivered results, CAS utilized an ecological grazing approach by bringing a team of goats to the island in the summer of 2024. These goats — natural browsers — are especially effective on woody and broad-leaf invasive plants, clearing paths where mechanical or chemical means cannot reach.
- Goats were transported by boat and housed on the island.
- They made measurable progress, clearing several acres of dense vegetation.
- A guardian dog stayed with the herd, and daily check-ins ensured animal welfare.
Now, the goats return seasonally to keep the invasive understory growth in check.
IMPORTANT NOTE: **The goats currently reside at Audubon Acres. Expect to see them back on the island this summer!
Okay, I’ve GOTTA check this out! Gimme the details!
Where: Maclellan Island is located in Chattanooga on the Tennessee River, just beneath Veterans Bridge. (It does NOT connect to the bridge, however.)
How to I book a stay? To check out the camping options, you can visit Hipcamp’s website!
And learn all about the history of Maclellan Island, its goats and more on Chattanooga Audubon Society’s website, here!
