This National Park Service location is unique because two sites in two separate states comprise the military park. To visit both sides of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the Chickamauga Battlefield is located in northern Georgia, while the Chattanooga Battlefield is across the Tennessee border. These sites preserve two major battles of the U.S. Civil War: the Battle of Chickamauga and the Siege of Chattanooga. If you’re a military, then this is a must for you.
11 Things to Do in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Visit the Chickamauga National Military Park
Stop by the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center
Watch the Interpretive Film
Hike or Bike at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Take the Auto Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
Climb the Wilder Brigade Monument
Picnic at the Chickamauga Battlefield
Earn a Junior Ranger or BARK Ranger Badge
Visit the Chattanooga Battlefield
See the Gates of Point Park
Earn a Junior Ranger or BARK Ranger Badge
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park At a Glance
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Year Established: 1890 |
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Located: Along Georgia & Tennessee Border |
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Size: over 12 square miles |
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Top Features: Battle of Chickamauga and the Siege of Chattanooga |
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Why Visit the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
One year, our Spring break was a “staycation,” living near Atlanta. I still wanted to do something with a bit of a road trip feel, so I packed up my baby (he was nine then, but who’s counting). We headed north to the Chickamauga/Chattanooga National Military Park.
In 1863, the U.S. Civil War raged on, and the Union and Confederate sides fought for control of Chattanooga. Then known as the Gateway to the Deep South, the Confederates won the first battle in Chickamauga in September. Then went on to lose control of Chattanooga in November.
Stop by the Visitor Center at Chickamauga Battlefield
The Chickamauga National Park Visitor Center is bright, with a lot of pictures, plaques and patriotic decorations adorning the walls. This is your place to grab maps or junior ranger booklets and also find restrooms. You can also learn about seasonal park ranger programming.
There is a small museum and a movie theater that shows a film about the battle. Parental guidance – some parts of the film are graphic about the battle scenes and may not be suitable for the very young.
Our first order of business was a stop in the gift shop to get a patch. We started a tradition on our trip up and down the Georgia Coast of getting a patch from each state and national park we visit.
Hike or Bike at Chickamauga Battlefield
Chickamauga Battlefield contains around 50 miles of hiking trails. Several depart from the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.
For a longer hike, the General Bragg Trail is a 5-mile loop trail originating from the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. It is popular with scout groups.
Biking is permitted on all paved roads within the park.
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Take the Auto Tour of Chickamauga Battlefield
You can pick up a map at the Visitor Center to help you explore the park. The map includes eight points of interest; plan on taking your car to reach all the stops.
On this tour, you will see several of the monuments built after the war. There are also a couple of rustic cabins.
Tour Stop 1: Breckinridge’s Assault
Tour Stop 2: The Battle Line
Stop 3: Mix-Up in Union Command
Tour Stop 4: Confederate Break-Through and Brotherton Cabin
Tour Stop 5: Viniard Field
Stop 6: Lighting Strikes
Tour Stop 7: Rout of the Union Right
Tour Stop 8: Horseshoe Ridge and Snodgrass Hill and Cabin
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Climb the Wilder Brigade Monument
At step 6, you’ll find an 85-foot stone tower built in 1903. The Wilder Brigade Monument has a winding stone staircase inside.
The climb to the top is worth the breathtaking view of the surrounding area. With 136 steps, it can be a workout.
ProTip: I highly recommend connecting to the audio tour. Information on how to connect is on the park map. I downloaded the app but had difficulty getting it to work.
Eventually, I ended up dialing into the audio tour, and that worked just fine. I played it on speaker so my son could hear the interesting points about what happened at that particular location. This kind of additional information helps to keep kids engaged in the tour.
Picnic at the Chickamauga Battlefield
Make a day of your visit to Chickamauga Battlefield by packing a picnic. Visitors will find four picnic areas: Reed’s Bridge near the visitor center, Alexander Bridge Road and Brotherton Road, Recreation Field and along Highway 27.
Many signs around the battlefield ask visitors not to use it for recreational purposes; this includes picnicking on the grass. Every time I visit, I see people spreading out blankets, playing ball and having lunch. It’s super tempting, I know. However, historically significant spaces deserve respect.
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Head to Lookout Mountain in Tennessee
This national park site has another unit in another state. Although it sounds far, it’s just 12 miles from one visitor center to the next. The centerpiece is Lookout Mountain, perched 1,500 feet above the Tennessee River below.
At this spot, the Confederate troops followed up on their successes in Chickamauga in 1863 with the Siege of Chattanooga. Perched above on Tennessee’s Lookout Mountain, troops could watch Chattanooga below. However, their success it not prevail, and this was a turning point in the U.S. Civil War.
Stop by the Lookout Mountain Visitor Center
Located on top of Lookout Mountain, this visitor center features the Battle of Lookout Mountain a 13- by 30-foot painting by James Walker. Visitors can also learn more about the battle to control Chattanooga.
The Visitors Center offers interpretive displays, restrooms and maps. You can also pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet here.
See Point Park
Located on Lookout Mountain, visitors will find the gates of Point Park. Constructed in 1904, the gates resemble the insignia of the U.S. Army of Engineers.
Point Park is a 10-acre memorial park that overlooks Chattanooga and includes memorials and plagues. Visitors can also see the Chattanooga River from this vantage point.
Hiking and Biking at Lookout Mountain
On Lookout Mountain, hikers will find thirty miles of trail of differing lengths. The Civilian Conservation Corps built some of the trails in the 1930s, part of WPA in the Great Depression.
Other trails are railroad beds from the 19th century. There are several shorter hikes so grab a trail map at the visitor center.
Cycles can ride on paved roads at Lookout Mountain. Guild, Hardy, Upper Truck, and Lower Truck Trails are also open to bikes.
Ranger Tours of Lookout Mountain
The Chattanooga side of the park offers ranger tours. You can learn more about the area and the Siege of Chattanooga.
Ranger-guided tour of Point Park is offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. They last about 30 minutes and are free to attend.
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Earn a Junior Ranger or BARK Ranger Badge
Each National Park offers a booklet that guides kids through questions and activities designed to help them explore the park. What I love best about this program is that it really does keep your kids from blowing through exhibits, trails and other important places at the park. Completing the book often requires them to stop, think and take in their surroundings with a different perspective. Best of all, this booklet is completely free.
Technically, the book says that to get the Chickamauga Chattanooga Jr. Ranger badge you need to complete the program at both sites.
BARK program
Some National Park Service sites welcome pets as long as they practice the principles of the BARK program. For more information, visit the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park page for visiting with pets.
B–Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash
A–Always leash your dog for their safety and others
R–Respect wildlife
K–Know where you can go
Where’s the Chickamauga Battlefield
It’s possible to tour both sites in one day but I would advise making a weekend of it.
Located at 3370 Lafayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. The Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This site is $10 per person (16 and older).
Where’s Chattanooga Battlefield
Located at 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, TN. The Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This site is $10 per person (16 and older).
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