Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
This military park spans the Georgia-Tennessee border, preserving America's first national military park where the Confederate victory at Chickamauga in September 1863 was followed by the Union's decisive November triumph at Chattanooga. Families walk the actual battlefields where over 34,000 casualties occurred during these pivotal Civil War engagements, exploring monuments and historic sites across multiple units including the dramatic Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The park's unique multi-state layout offers diverse landscapes from dense forests at Chickamauga Battlefield to the commanding views atop Lookout Mountain's Point Park. Unlike other Civil War sites, this park tells the complete story of a campaign that shifted from Confederate hope to what one soldier called "the death-knell of the Confederacy."
Junior Ranger Program at Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
The Junior Ranger program here brings Civil War history to life through interactive battlefield exploration and hands-on activities. Kids complete age-appropriate booklets featuring map reading, historical detective work, and battlefield scavenger hunts that make learning about this pivotal period engaging and memorable.
- Walk the historic Chickamauga Battlefield where kids can spot Civil War monuments and cannons
- Explore Lookout Mountain and learn about the famous 'Battle Above the Clouds'
- Visit the interactive exhibits at visitor centers with artifacts and military displays
Program Details
Best Ages for Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
Age ranges are suggested groupings — check at the visitor center for the official Junior Ranger booklet breakdown.
Ages 4–7
Young children enjoy the visitor center exhibits and short walks to nearby monuments along the auto tour roads. The booklet includes age-appropriate activities that help them identify different types of monuments and learn basic Civil War concepts through simple questions and drawing activities.
Ages 8–12
This age group truly shines with the map-reading activities and battlefield detective work that spans multiple park units. Kids can handle longer walks between monuments and engage with the more complex historical timeline activities that connect events across Chickamauga and Chattanooga battlefields.
Ages 13+
Teens and adults appreciate the deeper historical analysis and can tackle activities requiring travel between different park units. The program challenges them to understand military strategy and the broader implications of these campaigns on the Civil War's outcome.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
Start at Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center off LaFayette Road for orientation and Junior Ranger materials. Point Park on Lookout Mountain requires a separate $10 per person entrance fee, while other park units including the main Chickamauga Battlefield are free. The park's multiple units across two states require careful route planning.
Van & RV Notes
Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center offers large vehicle parking suitable for Class A motorhomes and our 22-foot Sprinter. Point Park on Lookout Mountain has more limited parking with narrow, winding roads that may challenge larger RVs. No camping is available within the park itself, so families typically stay at nearby private campgrounds in Fort Oglethorpe or Chattanooga.
Best Time to Visit
April through October provides the best weather for battlefield walks, with spring wildflowers particularly beautiful at Chickamauga and fall colors spectacular on Lookout Mountain. Summer can be hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, while winter may limit access to some outdoor exhibits. Weekdays typically see lighter crowds than weekends, especially during school field trip season in spring and fall.
How Long to Spend
Plan a full day to experience multiple park units and complete Junior Ranger activities, as the booklet encompasses sites across both Georgia and Tennessee portions. Families focusing solely on Chickamauga Battlefield can accomplish their goals in a half day.
Don't Miss
The auto tour at Chickamauga Battlefield brings history to life as families drive the actual battle lines with monument stops perfectly spaced for young attention spans. Point Park on Lookout Mountain offers breathtaking views across the Tennessee River Valley where kids can truly grasp the strategic importance of controlling Chattanooga.
Fun Facts for Kids
Chickamauga Battlefield was established in 1890 as America's first national military park, even before Yellowstone became a national park
The Battle of Chickamauga produced more casualties than any other Civil War battle except Gettysburg, with over 34,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing
Lookout Mountain's Point Park sits 1,100 feet above the Tennessee River, offering views across three states on clear days
The park preserves over 700 monuments, markers, and tablets marking specific unit positions during the battles
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
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Little River Canyon National Preserve
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park north of Atlanta preserves the 1864 Atlanta Campaign battlefields with excellent hiking trails and Junior Ranger programs.
Russell Cave National Monument
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