Lookout Mountain features dramatic views and spring wildflowers.
Situated on the Tennessee border in northwestern Georgia, the Ridge and Valley region comprises the southern tip of the Appalachian Plateau. The scenic geologic area is a result of tectonic plate shifts when the Appalachian range was formed. The process caused the surrounding area to ripple and warp into ravines, sheer ridges and ledges with vertical cliffs and drop-offs. Today, the region is blanketed with evergreen and hardwood forests, as well as dramatic wildflower patches, including rhododendrons and native azaleas. The largest of these formations is Lookout Mountain, which sits at the center of the region's scenic attractions.
Rock City on Lookout Mountain
Rock City is a tourist park on top of Lookout Mountain and offers quick access to several geologic features that characterize Georgia's ridge and valley region. Its paved Enchanted Trail is a self-guided path that showcases massive rock formations and other points of interest, including a 100-foot waterfall, a half-ton balanced rock and a panoramic point that is said to provide views of seven surrounding states. A highlight is the Swing-A-Long bridge, which is suspended between two rock formations. Visitors will also find restaurants and cafes, a pavilion for summer performances and kids' attractions, including Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village.
Rock City Gardens
1400 Patten Rd.
Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
800-854-0675
seerockcity.com
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Established in 1890, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park was the first park in the country dedicated to the preservation of battlefields. The site commemorates a critical Civil War struggle known as the Campaign for Chattanooga. Union and Confederate armies fought to control the region because it was the gateway to the deep South. Visitors can take a self-guided seven-mile car trip to see Chickamauga Battlefield's monuments and historic points, or they can explore the park through a network of hiking and horse trails. On summer weekends, the battlefields host living history demonstrations of Civil War encampments and the daily lives of soldiers.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
P.O. Box 2128
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9241
nps.gov/chch
Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway
The Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway is a 50-mile loop that features the varied geology of northwestern Georgia. The route traverses narrow Armuchee Ridges and parts of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Along the way, travelers can stop at the Keown Falls Scenic Area to see its lovely waterfalls and John's Mountain Overlook and Wildlife Park. The loop passes through quaint farm towns, including Armuchee and Crystal Springs. Visitors will find ample opportunities to picnic or take short hikes. Allow a minimum of three hours for driving and side trips. The route is especially scenic during wildflower season in the spring and when the colors change in the fall.
The route begins on U.S. 27 at Summerville and loops back via State Highways 156 and 136.
byways.org
Tags: Lookout Mountain, Ridge Valley, Chattanooga National, Chattanooga National Military, Chickamauga Chattanooga, Chickamauga Chattanooga National, Military Park
