Head of the Hooch Regatta · First weekend of November · Ross’s Landing, Chattanooga · About 1 hour from The Canyon at Pond Creek
10,000+ rowers descend on downtown Chattanooga for the Head of the Hooch — one of the largest regattas in the world. Every year, local lodging gets overwhelmed. Chattanooga hotels sell out for months in advance. The Canyon at Pond Creek is 1 hour north on the Cumberland Plateau — six glamping domes on 447 private acres, private hot tubs on every deck, and the overflow play that experienced regatta crews already know about.
The overflow play for regatta weekend
- Lodging Chattanooga cannot offer. 10,000+ rowers plus families, coaches, and spectators overwhelm downtown hotels. The Canyon is 1 hour away, on 447 quiet acres, with real recovery after a full race day.
- Room for full crews. Six glamping domes sleeping 4–8 each. Fit an eight-plus-coxswain in the same dome. Bring the coach, the family, the alumni crew.
- Real beds, private hot tubs. Rowing days are early and long. A private hot tub on the deck at the end of the day — not a motel hot tub down the hall — matters more than you think.
- 1 hour to Ross’s Landing. Direct drive via US-27. Early morning races mean early departures either way; from The Canyon that’s a quiet 1-hour drive, not a downtown traffic scrum.
About the Head of the Hooch
The Head of the Hooch Regatta runs each November on the Tennessee River at Ross’s Landing in downtown Chattanooga — the largest two-day regatta in the world by participation. Crews from high schools, colleges, clubs, and masters programs across the country race in dozens of events across two days. 2026 dates confirm on headofthehooch.org.
Booking for regatta weekend
Direct-book at The Canyon. Chattanooga lodging is often booked months in advance for regatta weekend — and prices surge with demand. The Canyon holds direct-book pricing steady. Arrive Friday afternoon, race Saturday and Sunday, depart Monday morning. Six domes go fast when downtown fills up.
The Canyon at Pond Creek is independent lodging near Chattanooga. We are not an official Head of the Hooch partner or sponsor. Regatta dates and registration are confirmed on headofthehooch.org.
