Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Image credit: picture by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. licenced under Public Domain Dedication (CC0).

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is a significant historical site located in the states of Georgia and Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. Established in 1890, the park covers an area of approximately 9,000 acres and preserves the memory of two major Civil War battles: the Battle of Chickamauga and the Battle of Chattanooga.

The park is split between two main areas: the Chickamauga Battlefield in Georgia and the Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Point Park in Tennessee. The Chickamauga Battlefield was the site of the bloodiest battle in the Western Theater of the Civil War, fought in September 1863. It offers visitors the opportunity to explore the battlefield and learn about the strategies and tactics employed by both Union and Confederate forces. The Lookout Mountain Battlefield, on the other hand, commemorates the November 1863 "Battle Above the Clouds" and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

Visitors to the park can engage in a variety of activities. There are over 30 miles of hiking trails, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the park while tracing the footsteps of the soldiers who fought there. Additionally, there are opportunities for horseback riding and biking along designated trails. The park also offers a range of educational programs, including ranger-led tours, living history demonstrations, and exhibits at the visitor centers.

Besides exploring the military park, there are numerous attractions nearby for visitors to enjoy. Lookout Mountain provides scenic overlooks, a historical railroad, and the famous Rock City gardens. The Tennessee Aquarium, located in Chattanooga, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's diverse aquatic life. Ruby Falls, a stunning underground waterfall, is also a popular tourist destination in the area.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park serves as a sobering reminder of the Civil War's impact and the sacrifices made by those who fought. With its historical significance, outdoor activities, and nearby attractions, the park offers a unique combination of education and recreation.

Location

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is located in the southern part of the state of Tennessee. Situated near the Georgia border, the park encompasses a vast area of over 9,000 acres, predominantly within Hamilton County. It stretches across the scenic landscapes nestled within the Appalachian Mountains, offering visitors dramatic views and picturesque settings. The park spans across several communities, including the cities of Chattanooga and Chickamauga, as well as various smaller towns within its vicinity. Its strategic location near the Tennessee River provides not only historical significance but also contributes to the park's natural beauty, making it an enticing destination for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Address & Contact

3370 LaFayette Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
Driving Directions
Phone: 706-866-9241
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is during the months of April and May. During this time, the average maximum temperature ranges from 73°F to 80°F, providing pleasant weather for outdoor activities. Additionally, the average monthly precipitation remains relatively low, ranging from 4.1 in to 5.3 in, allowing visitors to enjoy the park without excessive rainfall. Furthermore, these months attract a significant number of visitors, but the crowds are not as large as during the peak summer months of June and July. Therefore, April and May offer a favorable combination of weather conditions and manageable crowds, making it an ideal timeframe to explore the park.

Things to do and learn in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park are: Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Junior Ranger Program Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Biking Road Biking Climbing Rock Climbing Hiking Front-Country Hiking Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Living History Self-Guided Tours - Auto Historic Weapons Demonstration First Person Interpretation

Topics

Learn about these topics at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park: Archeology Native American Heritage Tragic Events Military US Army Scenic Views Battlefields Wars and Conflicts Civil War World War I Forced Marches

Amenities

Visitor Centers

Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center

Atop Lookout Mountain, discover details about the siege of Chattanooga and the battles for control of the city. View exhibits and the historic 13- by 30-foot James Walker painting,THE BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. Point Park has battery positions, monuments, exhibits, trails, and views.

Campsites within or near Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

This park doesn't have any campsites within its boundaries (or we haven't found them yet)).

Hotels within or near Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

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Super 8 by Wyndham Chattanooga/East Ridge

Located in Chattanooga (East Ridge), Super 8 by Wyndham Chattanooga/East Ridge is within a 5-minute drive of Parkridge East Hospital and Brainerd Golf Course. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 6521 Ringgold Rd, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Web: Link

4 A's Inn

With a stay at 4 A's Inn in Chattanooga (East Ridge), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Parkridge East Hospital and Brainerd Golf Course. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 6510 Ringgold Rd, I-75, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Web: Link

Holiday Inn Express East Ridge, an IHG Hotel

Located in Chattanooga (East Ridge), Holiday Inn Express East Ridge, an IHG Hotel is within a 5-minute drive of Parkridge East Hospital and Brainerd Golf Course. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a business center, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1441 N. Smith Rd, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Web: Link

Super 8 by Wyndham Ft. Oglethorpe GA/Chatt TN Area

Located in Fort Oglethorpe, Super 8 by Wyndham Ft. Oglethorpe GA/Chatt TN Area is within a 5-minute drive of CHI Memorial Hospital - Georgia and John Ross House. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, express check-out, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 2044 Lafayette Road Hwy, US-27N, Hwy 75 Exit 350 West, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia 30742
Web: Link

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chattanooga - East Ridge

With a stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chattanooga - East Ridge in Chattanooga (East Ridge), you'll be a 4-minute drive from Parkridge East Hospital and 6 minutes from Brainerd Golf Course. Featured amenities include a computer station, express check-out, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 6650 Ringgold Rd, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Web: Link

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chattanooga So/East Ridge

With a stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chattanooga So/East Ridge in Chattanooga (East Ridge), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Parkridge East Hospital and Brainerd Golf Course. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Planning an event in Chattanooga? This hotel has facilities measuring 800 square feet (74 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1453 N Mack Smith Rd, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Web: Link

General Bragg Inn and Suites

A stay at General Bragg Inn and Suites places you in the heart of Chickamauga, a 5-minute drive from Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and 6 minutes from Gordon-Lee Mansion. Featured amenities include a business center and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 118 General Bushrod Johnson Ave, Chickamauga, Georgia 30707
Web: Link

Budgetel Chattanooga

With a stay at Budgetel Chattanooga in Chattanooga (East Ridge), you'll be a 3-minute drive from Parkridge East Hospital and 5 minutes from Brainerd Golf Course. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and an elevator. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1410 Mack Smith Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Web: Link

Budgetel Inn & Suites

With a stay at Budgetel Inn & Suites in Chattanooga (East Ridge), you'll be a 4-minute drive from Parkridge East Hospital and 5 minutes from Brainerd Golf Course. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and an elevator. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1410 Mack Smith Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412
Web: Link

Battleview Bed and Breakfast

With a stay at Battleview Bed and Breakfast in Fort Oglethorpe, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of CHI Memorial Hospital - Georgia and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Featured amenities include a library, microwave in a common area, and refrigerator in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 309 Barnhardt Cir, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia 30742
Web: Link

News and Alerts

Date issued Details
2026-04-17Dyer Road Construction in Chickamauga Battlefield Resumes
Beginning April 27, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will resume road construction on Dyer Road within Chickamauga Battlefield. The park anticipates completing the project by late May 2026. More
2026-03-04Prescribed Fire Planned at Chickamauga Battlefield on March 5 & 6
The National Park Service will conduct a prescribed fire at Chickamauga Battlefield on March 5 and 6. The planned fire will be on approximately 850 acres north of Viniard-Alexander Road east of LaFayette Road and west of Alexander Bridge Road.  More
2025-09-26Road Construction Extending onto West Dyer Road in Chickamauga Battlefield
Road closures/construction will continue on the east section of Dyer Road, between Glenn-Kelly and LaFayette Roads, and will extend onto the west portion of Dyer Road, between Glenn-Kelly and Chickamauga-Vittatoe Roads. During the closures, all public traffic, including motorists, equestrians, pedestrians and bicyclists, is prohibited from using the closed sections. More
2025-09-25Tourism to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park contributes $87,209,000 to local economy
A new National Park Service report shows that 1,003,081 visitors to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in 2024 spent $70,550,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported the local area. More
2025-09-05Road Construction Continues on a Section of Brotherton Road in Chickamauga Battlefield
The Brotherton Road closure, between Alexander's Bridge and LaFayette Roads, remains in effect as rehabilitation continues. During the closure, all public traffic is prohibited from using the closed section.
2025-09-05Road Construction to Begin in Chickamauga Battlefield on Dyer Road
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park announces that a construction contract has been awarded to rehabilitate Dyer Road and Snodgrass Hill Road in Chickamauga Battlefield. The roads will be closed sequentially, with no more than one road section being closed at a time.  More