RT Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Park reserves the sites of two major battles of the American Civil War: the Battle of Chickamauga and the Siege of Chattanooga

General Information

Hours:

Park grounds: Sunrise to sunset daily
Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center: 8:30am to 5:00pm daily
Lookout Mountain Visitor Center: Generally 9:00am to 6:00pm daily

Fees:

Most areas of the park are free to visit.
Point Park at Lookout Mountain: $10 per person (ages 16 and older).
Children age 15 and under: Free.

Pet Policy:

Pets are permitted on a leash in outdoor areas of the park. Owners must clean up after their pets and maintain control at all times.

Closest cities with hotels:

Chattanooga, Tennessee (approximately 8 mi)

Seasons:

Open year-round. Spring and fall are the most popular seasons due to mild temperatures and scenic views. Summer is warm and ideal for outdoor touring, while winter offers smaller crowds.

Location:

GA+30742" rel="noopener" target="_blank">3370 LaFayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

Website:

ps.gov/chch/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">nps.gov/chch

How to Get There

From Chattanooga, Tennessee (8 mi): Take US-27 S from downtown Chattanooga, continue toward Fort Oglethorpe, turn onto Battlefield Parkway (GA-2), then follow LaFayette Road south to the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 3370 LaFayette Rd.

Overview

The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park preserves the landscapes where one of the Civil War's most consequential campaigns unfolded in 1863. Spanning historic battlefields, ridgelines, forests, and overlooks across Georgia and Tennessee, the park invites visitors to walk through terrain where Union and Confederate armies fought for control of Chattanooga, a strategic transportation hub known as the gateway to the Deep South. Monument-lined roads wind through quiet woodlands, while destinations such as Point Park, Missionary Ridge, and the Chickamauga Battlefield offer sweeping views and powerful reminders of the soldiers who struggled across these hills and valleys. The combination of natural beauty and preserved history creates an experience that feels both reflective and immersive.

Established in 1890 as the nation's first national military park, the site marked a pioneering effort to preserve battlefield landscapes for future generations. Today, visitors can explore miles of scenic roads and trails, examine hundreds of monuments and historical markers, and gain deeper insight into the campaign that culminated in a decisive Union victory at Chattanooga, helping open the path toward Atlanta and the eventual collapse of the Confederacy. From sunrise filtering through the forests of Chickamauga to dramatic vistas overlooking the Tennessee River Valley from Lookout Mountain, the park offers a compelling journey through both American history and the remarkable landscapes that shaped it.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official National Park Service pages for the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.