Visit the Chickamauga Battlefield of the Civil War in Walker County, Georgia

Chickamauga National Park Battlefield
Chickamauga, Georgia

To get there from I-75, exit 350 into Ft. Oglethorpe. Follow the signs to turn left off of Battlefield Parkway onto Lafayette Rd. The visitor center entrance is about a mile ahead.

The Civil War Battlefield of Chickamauga National Park tells the tale and stands in silent testimony to the lives lost on both sides of this tragic war. It is both a beautiful and chilling reminder of the brutality of the war.

The National Parks Service officially lists the name of the park at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Created in 1890, this park was the first of its kind in the United States. The sites of the Chickamauga Battlefield and the Lookout Mountain Battlefield are included as one park.

In reality, they are very different. Visitors often tour one and not the other. This review will focus on the Chickamauga Battlefield.

The Chickamauga Battlefield is the scene of the last major Confederate victory of the Civil War. Park officials tell us that the over 5,000 acre landscape has changed very little since 1863 when the battle was fought.

Information and exhibits in the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center help visitors understand the Battle of Chickamauga. In addition to education there is a gift shop with books about the battle and of Walker County, Georgia and the area that was impacted. The center is open from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm daily and is closed on Christmas day. The park itself is open from sunrise to sunset.

The highlight of the park is the many historical markers and monuments that dot the fields and landscape. These monstrous beauties range from marble towers that are a hundred feet high (or more) to small concrete markers denoting important points of battle.

Visitors can easy assume that the marble monuments are new. These are in such good condition that visitors can easily be surprised by a date reading in the 1890s. Stories of multiple generations visiting at different times are not unheard of. In some cases, one generation visited as a youngster and then brought their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to view the battlefield and monuments.

You will not have to pay an entrance fee at the Chickamauga Battlefield. Plus, this National Park participates in the National Park Passport program. This is a booklet that is available for purchase and is popular among National Park enthusiasts. At each National Park you can get your passport stamped for free. This is a great way to commemorate your visits and keep up with the dates that you were there. You can buy the passport and/or get it stamped at the bookstore.

At the Chickamauga Battlefield you can take a 7 mile auto tour. The route is clearly marked. Each point of interest along the route corresponds to an audio tour.

My daughter enjoyed doing this when we toured the Chickamauga Battlefield. To access the audio tour simply dial the phone number on your cell phone. The recording will begin and ask you to input the number of the historical point that you want to hear about. By using the speakerphone other members in your car can listen in.

The audio tour is a free service of the Chickamauga Battlefield National Park but your regular cell phone fees will apply.

The tour will take you through the battlefield. There are markers, old houses and points of interest along the way. Visitors can get out, walk around and enjoy the scenic solitude.

A virtual tour slideshow of the Chickamauga National Battlefield is available here. For a video of the driving tour please see the resources section of this article.

Sources
Personal Experience
Chickamauga National Battlefield
National Park Service