America Just Got It's First National Park City. We Went to Check it Out.

America’s first National Park City spotlighted how Chattanooga, Tennessee, is expanding conservation and access to nature. The city, positioned along the Tennessee River in the Appalachian foothills, received the North America designation in spring 2025 as part of an international model that also includes London and Adelaide. The program recognizes long-term efforts to protect nature, restore ecosystems, and strengthen community connections to surrounding landscapes. Chattanooga is already known for outdoor adventure and was named “Best Town Ever” by Outside in 2015. In reporting this summer, the article describes exploring Snooper’s Overlook and nearby Raccoon Mountain Caverns, including the Crystal Palace Walking Tour and references to mapped cave passages. The move could influence other U.S. cities pursuing similar status.