One Park, Six Places
Where it All Began
In late September 1863 more than 120,000 Union and Confederate soldiers fought in the woods and fields west of Chickamauga Creek in northwest Georgia. By the end of the battle, more than 34,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing, and the Union Army was in full retreat towards Chattanooga. From the Spanish American War through World War II, the US Army used the battlefield as a training ground for soliders preparing to go overseas. Today, the landscape is dotted with monuments and markers that commemorate the sacrifices made by the men who fought here during the Civil War.
26 years after the 1863 battle, veterans from the North and the South met nearby at Crawfish Springs for the Blue and Gray BBQ, an act of reconciliation and healing that sparked the preservation of nearly 5,000 acres and the first nationally protected Civil War Battlefield at Chickamauga.
More than 1,500 commemorative features and 50 miles of trails cross this vast historic landscape, welcoming visitors of all ages to experience the natural and historic resources forever protected here.
A Visitor Center is located at north end of the Park (click HERE for more information + directions) and recreation opportunities include walking, running, hiking, biking, and horseback riding (click HERE for a trail map).
Above the Clouds
Confederate forces used Lookout Mountain to besiege Chattanooga. On November 24, 1863, Union troops under the command of General Joseph Hooker swept the northern slopes of Lookout Mountain in what became known as the “Battle Above the Clouds.” For the rest of the Civil War, Lookout Mountain was a tourist destination for Union soldiers and civilians, and a photographer even established a studio to capture portraits of soldiers on the point. Today, Point Park sits atop Lookout Mountain, and the slopes where these men fought and died are preserved as part of the park. Around 3,000 acres are preserved within Lookout Mountain Battlefield.
A Visitor Center is located at Point Park (click HERE for more information + directions).
Point Park is the only location with an entrance fee - click HERE for details on entrance fees.
More than 30 miles of trails are available for hiking and trail running. Rock climbing is also available at Sunset Rock (limited trailhead parking area - NO restrooms). A larger trailhead parking area can be found at Cravens House though the building is closed to the public (NO restrooms). Click HERE for a full Lookout Mountain trail map.
”The Death Knell of the Confederacy”
On November 25, 1863, more than 50,000 Union soldiers stormed the Confederate defenses along Missionary Ridge west of Chattanooga. The attack stretched from Rossville Gap at the Georgia border all the way up to Tunnel Hill at the northern end of Missionary Ridge. By the end of the day, the Confederate Army of Tennessee was retreating towards Dalton, Georgia, and Chattanooga was firmly in Union hands. It was, as one Confederate officer later described it, "The death knell of the Confederacy."
Along the crest of Missionary Ridge are a series of eight reservations and monuments that preserve and tell the story of key areas of the Battle of Missionary Ridge. Take a scenic drive and amaze your friends and family with the sight of cannons scattered in the front yards of homes, then pull into one of the reservations offering breathtaking views of the Chattanooga valley.
Forever Moccasin Bend
Moccasin Bend National Archeological District spans 12,000 years of continuous human habitation and is one of the most unique units found in the entire National Park Service system. The site preserves the archaeological remains of numerous American Indian civilizations, and the Trail of Tears crossed Moccasin Bend in the late 1830s. Dotting the hills of Moccasin Bend are fortifications built by the Union Army during the Civil War.
The "Gateway Site" is a grassy meadow offering beautiful views of Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee River. An interpretive display along Hamm Road will help orient you when you arrive, and the National Park Service and National Park Partners are in the midst of a project to “Open the Gateway” with a new visitor entrance (expected sometime in 2023).
Additionally, there are two interpreted trails on Moccasin Bend - The Brown's Ferry Federal Road and the Blue Blazes Trail. The former is a quick walk to the River along a Trail of Tears route that later became a US Army “Cracker” line; the latter is about a three mile loop that traverses the Bend near where Woodland era Indian villages once stood.
Respect the Knob
On November 23, 1863, Union forces captured Orchard Knob, a prominent hill east of Chattanooga. From this hillside, Union General Ulysses S. Grant observed the assault on Missionary Ridge two days later. Today, Orchard Knob is a popular destination for history buffs and also serves as a green space for the Orchard Knob neighborhood.
Conveniently located just a few minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Orchard Knob is a great spot for a quick hike at lunchtime or a more leisurely stroll to the top to take in the 360 degree views and the stunning sunsets.
Preserving the battlefield created an oasis for wildflower populations in the midst of a bustling city. Check out our blog post about an active partnership that fostering a sense of stewardship and appreciation for Orchard Knob’s abundant native plant life.
Hold the High Ground
Signal Point was the key station receiving and sending messages from the besieged city to Bridgeport, Alabama, thence by telegraph to the North. Once Union forces opened the supply line to the city from Brown’s Ferry on October 27, 1863, the signal station at Signal Point was primarily used for observing and reporting Confederate troop movements in the area. Today, Signal Point is a popular hiking destination. In addition to scenic views of the Tennessee River, Signal Point Reservation is an access point for the Cumberland Trail, which stretches several hundred miles across the Cumberland Plateau.
The Signal Point Reservation is located on Signal Mountain, Tennessee at the end of Signal Point Road. There is parking available, and restrooms are open seasonally in the spring, summer, and fall.