Forum Discussion

betsypupcdx's avatar
betsypupcdx
Explorer
Jun 19, 2016

Lookout Mt. Incline railway

Hi, I'm planning to revisit Lookout MT, haven't been there since a child (over 50 yrs). I'm limited in how far I can walk due to bad knees. I want to ride the incline railway,
I'm thinking it would be better to board the railway at the top of the Mt. That would let me be closer to the other attractions such as Ruby Falls.
Any suggestions??
Thanks
LInda
  • bartletttraveller wrote:
    get on the tram at the bottom of the mountain. Plenty of handicap parking. There are many steps at the top. was there in August 2015.


    X4 or X5 (lost count). Plenty of parking at the bottom (St. Elmo), and not much at the top. Also, parking at the top doesn't offer any advantages as far as Ruby Falls is concerned. While the walk within the cave to Ruby Falls isn't particularly tough, it is a walk without handicap access or services. Well worth the entrance fee otherwise.
  • get on the tram at the bottom of the mountain. Plenty of handicap parking. There are many steps at the top. was there in August 2015.
  • stickdog wrote:
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    What about the one in Colorado?


    Tell us about it.


    ON I 90 at the border between Montana and Idaho! Skied there back in 1954-55. Don't know if the ski area is still there??
  • Where are you staying at? I would say St. Elmo is better...also as was mentioned...Ruby Falls wouldn't be good.
  • Halmfamily wrote:
    We always park at the bottom, ride it up, look around a bit then come back down and drive back up the the other attractions. I've never had good luck parking near the top of the Incline.


    Parking is much better at the St. Elmo station than at the top. Like others have said not sure how well a person that does not walk well would do at Ruby Falls. I haven't been in 30 years, but it wasn't ADA compliant then. May well have issues at Rock City as well. In any case none of mountain the attractions are within walking distance of each other.
  • DutchmenSport wrote:
    What about the one in Colorado?


    Tell us about it.
  • We always park at the bottom, ride it up, look around a bit then come back down and drive back up the the other attractions. I've never had good luck parking near the top of the Incline.
  • Chatanooga, TN? I found the web pages.

    If you are arriving with someone, perhaps have them drop you at the entrance to save you some walking. There are disabled parking spaces both at top and bottom incline stations, but my experience (not in TN) is that those are always full. Once you are on the incline car, you'll be fine.

    Ruby Falls has a 4/5 mile walking tour, no wheelchair access, some stairs.

    Good luck, and enjoy your trip as much as you can!

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,716 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 10, 2025