Chickamauga: History, Trails and Special Places

Chickamauga combines impressive Civil War history with expansive trails, waterscapes and unusual memorial sites. Anyone looking for a vacation rental or holiday home for their trip will find various points of interest here: historic sites, self-guided explorations, hiking trails, canoe trips and museums can be combined into a varied stay.

Experience History at Chickamauga Battlefield

Chickamauga Battlefield is well suited to exploring the area's history independently. A self-guided tour by mobile phone provides recorded explanations at eight locations. The Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center is located in the northern part of the battlefield. Exhibits there showcase the Battle of Chickamauga and the Chattanooga Campaign; the Fuller Gun Collection is also on display.

The historical events date back to September 1863. On September 18, the Confederate army attempted to cross West Chickamauga Creek at several bridges and fords. During the battle on September 19 and 20, Crawfish Spring initially served Union troops and subsequently Confederate soldiers as their main water supply. The spring was transformed into a park with picnic tables, a swing and a pavilion.

The Gordon-Lee Mansion also offers its own gateway to the area's history. Construction began in 1840 and was completed in 1847. During the battle, Union General William Rosecrans used the parlor as his headquarters; Union and Confederate soldiers were treated in a field hospital in the building and on the grounds. Tours take place according to published schedules or by special arrangement. Lee and Gordon's Mills served as the headquarters of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by General Braxton Bragg, on September 9 and 10, 1863, and is one of the oldest mills in the U.S. state of Georgia.

Trails, Water and Landscapes

For active days, Chickamauga Battlefield offers around 50 miles of hiking trails. Another option is the 2.2-mile John Culpepper Chickamauga Battlefield Connector Trail. This multi-use trail connects Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park with downtown Chickamauga. Sections run along the old Dry Valley Road, where Union soldiers once marched from Mountain Cove through Crawfish Springs.

West Chickamauga Creek can be explored by canoe or kayak. This adds a water-based experience to your trip planning, while the trails in the battlefield offer a stronger historical focus. Protected plants and animals, viewpoints and rock outcrops popular with climbers are among the landscape features mentioned at Zahnd WMA.

Unusual Places in the City

The Chickamauga coke ovens are located north of downtown on Highway 341. In the late 1990s, the site was reclaimed with railroad cars and the original beehive ovens and restored to its original appearance. The ovens of the Durham Iron and Coal Company were designed to convert coal into coke for iron and steel foundries in nearby Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In Holland-Watson Veterans Memorial Park, a Huey helicopter symbolizing the Vietnam War stands on a pedestal in the center of the circular path. The Walker County Regional Heritage & Model Train Museum is located in the former train station in the historic downtown area. There you can see working model trains and regional artifacts and learn more about the history of Walker County. For further trip planning, you can also visit Lookout Mountain.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Plans

When searching for a vacation rental in Chickamauga, you can use the focus of your trip as a guide when choosing your accommodation. Consider whether you mainly want to explore historic sites, use the trails or plan a water-based experience. This will help you choose accommodation that suits your personal travel plan.

To the broader travel overview: Walker County.