Situated on the shores of scenic Chickamauga Lake not far from the city of Chattanooga is 353-acre Booker T. Washington State Park. The parks is named in honor of the famous leader, Booker Taliaferro Washington. Washington was born into slavery at Hale's Ford, Virginia, but with great determination he secured an education and went on to become one of our great Americans. He is perhaps best known as a former president of the Tuskegee Institute, a black organization for higher education.

Group Camping

The group camp consists of 16 cabins, a camp kitchen with a walk-in freezer and two guest quarters, bathhouse, pavilion, and a lighted basketball court. The group camp can accommodate up to 96 guests. Guests are provided with mattresses, but you will need to bring your own sheets, pillows, pillow cases, and toiletries.

Reservations:All reservations need to be made in advance at the park office. All reservations also have a two-day minimum. Priority will be given to long-term camps, whose reservations can be made up to two years in advance. Reservations for short-term camps (those staying one week-end) between June 1-August 31 can be made beginning March 1st of the same year. NOTE: Reservations for Memorial and Labor Day weekends require at least a three day rental.

Deposits:A $150 deposit is required for a long-term camp; and a $130 deposit for a short-term camp. All deposits must include tax (8.75%) when applicable. If your organization is Tennessee Tax Exempt, we must have a copy of your agency's tax exemption letter. Also, please provide the office with the name and number of the groups contact person.

Check-In/Check-Out:Check-in is at 5:00pm. Check-out is at 10:00am. You may choose to check out later, up to 1:00pm for a late fee of $55. Anytime after 1:00pm will be considered another full day.

What you need to know:Get in touch with the ranger on duty once you settle in. He/She will provide you with a means to leave the park after park hours if necessary, as well as any recreational equipment you might need. A public telephone is located near the restrooms at the Boat Dock / Pier Area. Sorry, no pets are allowed. Camp Guests, if swimming as a group, are given a swimming discount rate of $1.25 per person during swimming season, although rates are subject to change. The BBQ pit is located next to the Camp playground and is yours to use. Please be careful near the pit and be sure to clean up. We will provide trash bags. If you use the lighted basketball court after dark, please be sure to turn off the lights when finished. Also please be aware that the park observes a ?quiet time? at 10:00PM each night.

Before checking out, see the ranger on duty. You will need to let him/her know how many persons you had in your group each night, otherwise the result will be an assessment of maximum charges. Also, be sure to return any items given to you to the ranger. The ranger will also look over the facilities as well. Be sure to cleanup the facility as there is a $35.00 Clean-Up fee if left unclean.

The group lodge at Booker T. Washington consists of three buildings, a well equipped kitchen/dining hall and two dormitory sleeping quarters with showers. The group lodge can accommodate up to 42 guests. It is available all year for weekend and week-long stays. Guests are provided with mattresses, but you will need to bring your own pillows, sheets, pillow cases, and toiletries.

Reservations:All reservations need to be made in advance at the park office. All reservations also have a two-day minimum stay. Prority will be given to long-term camps, whose reservations can be made up to one year in advance. Reservations for short-term camps (those staying one weekend) between June 1 - August 31 can be made beginning March 1st of the same year.Note: Reservations for the Memorial and Labor Day weekends require at least a three day rental.

Deposits:A $100 deposit is required for long-term camp and short term camp. All deposits must include tax (8.75%) when applicable. If your organization is Tennessee Tax Exempt, we must have a copy of your agency's tax exemption letter. Also, please provide the office with the name and number of the groups contact person as shown at the bottom of this page.

Rates and Check IN/OUT Times:Check-in is at 5:00pm, check-out is at 10:00am. You may chose to check out later, up to 1:00 pm for a late fee. Anytime after 1:00pm will be considered another full day. For current rates, please contact the park.

What You Need To Know:Get in touch with the ranger on duty once you settle in. He/She will provide you with a means to leave the park after park hours if necessary, as well as any recreational equipment you might need. A public phone is located near the restrooms at the boat dock/pier area. No pets are allowed.

Lodge guests, if swimming as a group, are given a swimming discount during swimming season. A pavilion with a BBQ pit is located next to the lodge playground and is for lodge guests use. Please be careful near the grill and be sure to clean up. We will provide trash bags. Also please be aware that the park observes a quiet time at 10:00pm each night.

Before checking out, see the ranger on duty. You will need to let him/her know how many persons you had in the group each night, otherwise the result will be an assessment of maximum charges. Also, be sure to return any items given to you to the ranger. The ranger will also look over the facilities as well. Be sure to cleanup the facility as there is a $35 clean-up fee if left unclean.

The park has a large olympic size pool with diving board and a childrens' wading pool. The pool is open from early summer through Labor Day.

This beautiful area provides hours of swimming and sunbathing enjoyment for all ages. Groups are welcome. Lifeguards are certified and are on duty during swimming hours.

Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Chickamauga, this park offers outstanding opportunities for fishing and boating. Boat launching ramps are conveniently located and boaters enjoy countless hours of skiing, fishing, or pleasure riding.

Fishing is good, year-round and is probably the parks number #1 pastime; catches include largemouth bass, crappie, sauger, striped bass, walleye, catfish, and buffalo. There is no charge for fishing but all fishermen over 13 years of age must be in possession of a valid temporary or annual Tennessee fishing license.