Walker County and City Parks -Visit the Chattahoochee National Forest, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Crawfish Springs, Holland-Watson Veteran's Memorial Park, Keown Fallls, McLemore's Cove, Rock City Gardens and more.
Chattahoochee National Forest is breathtaking in its natural beauty, rich with exciting possibilities for adventure and one of the most popular wilderness locations in the nation. 31,000 acres of hushed forests, towering waterfalls, whitewater rapids, endless hiking, biking and riding trails, camping, fishing and more await outdoor enthusiasts. Don’t miss Keown Falls, stunning twin falls (60 feet and 40 feet) located along two spring-fed streams within the National Forest. The 1.8-mile Keown Falls Loop Trail and the 3.5-mile John’s Mountain Loop Trail offer extraordinary vistas. Also part of the National Forest, The Pocket was created by the steep ridges of Horn Mountain, which surrounds it on three sides. From 1938 through 1942, this was the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and the foundations of the old structure are still visible. A well maintained and clearly marked hiking trail makes an easy 2.5-mile loop from the picnic area along low-lying streambeds and back to the campgrounds. Phone: 770-297-3000
Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park - In 1863, Union and Confederate forces waged epic battles over the control of Chattanooga—the gateway to the Deep South. Though the Confederate troops were victorious at Chickamauga in September, renewed fighting in Chattanooga in November won the Union troops final control. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National in 1890 to preserve and commemorate these battlefields. Phone: 706-866-9241 - Address: 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe Georgia Directions from Interstate 75: At Exit 350 take Battlefield Parkway (Georgia 2) west to Fort Oglethorpe. Turn left at the intersection of Battlefield Parkway and Lafayette Road. Go one mile on Lafayette Road to the park entrance and visitor center.
Coke Ovens Park - The fascinating Chickamauga Georgia coke ovens, during the mid-1800s, the beehive ovens of the Durham Iron and Coal Company were designed to turn coal into coke for use in the iron and steel foundries in nearby Chattanooga Tennessee. During the Depression years, the coal was depleted and the ovens abandoned. In the late 1990s, the unique coke oven area was restored to its original appearance with train cars and the actual beehive ovens. Wetland demonstration ponds were created and the area transformed into a serene park. Each September the Ovens are transformed into an Arts and Crafts Festival, held in conjunction with the War Between the States Day. Location: just north of downtown Chickamauga Georgia on Highway 341.
Crawfish Springs - During the September 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, Crawfish Springs was the primary source of water for both Union and Confederate soldiers. Today, during the annual September War Between The States Day, Civil War reenactors use the area around the spring as a camp and demonstration site. The spring, no longer used as a city water source, has been converted to a lovely public park complete with picnic tables, swings and gazebo. Parking is free along Cove Road and the spring is open for all to enjoy at no charge. Location: Cove Road, Chickamauga Georgia, GA
Crockford Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area is a lovely natural plateau, part of the Cumberland Plateau, which stretches from Alabama through Georgia and into Tennessee and the area is under the supervision of the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. The mountain is renowned for its many caves and limestone rock formations, the most famous of which is Ellison Cave. Another fascinating area is Rock Town, an area of enormous rock formations that may have been used as Native American shelters and are sometimes used today as shelter for wild animals such as bobcats. The area is not heavily visited, so it’s the ideal place to get away from it all, hike, bike, camp, explore and just breathe in the natural beauty. Phone: 706-295-6041 - Location: just west of the city of LaFayette, GA
Hidden Creek Recreation Area amenities include Camping, hiking and picnicking in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Phone: 706-695-6736 Location: Hwy. 27 South, LaFayette, GA 30728
Holland-Watson Veterans Memorial Park - Chickamauga's First Veterans' Memorial Park was dedicated on May 27, 2002 and the park was named after two Chickamauga Georgia Soldiers, Sgt Eddie H. Holland and CPL Thomas A. "Tommy" Watson, who lost their lives in Vietnam. Approximately 200 citizens, many Veterans, attended the dedication ceremony. A Huey Helicopter, a symbol of the Vietnam War, is mounted on a pedestal in the center of the walking track at the park. The following pictures show the progression of the events to the final display. The Park will honor all Veterans of all wars from the Chickamauga Georgia area who lost their lives in service to our Country Location: on the corner of Crittenden Avenue and W.8th Street (across from the ball fields).
Keown Falls offer unique rock bluffs, high elevation, swampy area formed from springs. Great for hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Phone: 706-695-6736 - Location: LaFayette, GA 30728 - GA Hwy. 136
Lula Lake Land Trust was established by the will of Robert M. Davenport in January 1994 so that the natural beauty and abundant resources within the Rock Creek watershed would be protected and preserved for the benefit of present and future generations. Davenport had acquired more than 1,200 acres around Lula Lake and, since then, the Land Trust has increased protection within the watershed to more than 4,000 acres. Here you will learn of the fragile gifts of the environment and your role within it.
Phone:706-820-0520 - Address: 29 Mount Olive Road, Lookout Mountain Directions: from the north (Chattanooga Tennessee): Allow 25 minutes driving time; Take Hwy. 58 South from St. Elmo up Lookout Mountain to a T-intersection with Lula Lake Road; Turn left (south) and go 4.5 miles to the gravel drive entrance (normally) marked on the left. Follow the gravel drive to an area marked for parking.
McLemore’s Cove - This exquisite valley, nestled in the V formed by Lookout Mountain and Pigeon Mountain. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 (the McLemore Cove Historic District). The steep limestone and sandstone walls of the mountains form a remarkable backdrop for a scenic drive through the cove. At the southwest end of the cove is a portion of the picturesque 11,500-acre Mountain Cove Farm. The cove, which was named for Robert and John McLemore, sons of a white trader and a Cherokee mother, is just south of Chickamauga Georgia Battlefield. One of the Civil War battles took place at Davis Crossroads within the cove.
Near Cedar Grove Methodist Church, a large number of Union soldiers spent the night of September 17, 1863, immediately prior to the Battle of Chickamauga Georgia. Another antebellum structure is the 130-year-old, plantation-plain style farmhouse, located one-half mile south of Mt. Hermon Church on Hog Jowl Road, where the Hise family has lived for generations. Most of the other old houses and buildings in the cove are not antebellum but date from the 1890s when the railroad was built through the northern part of the cove.
Directions: Take GA 193 west from LaFayette 8 miles to Davis Crossroads. Note that the best view of McLemore Cove is from GA 157 atop Lookout Mountain.
Pigeon Mountain offers caving, hunting, horseback riding, hang gliding. 17,000 acres of state property. Favorite sites Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail, Rocktown for rock climbers and the Pocket, a trail leading to a waterfall. Deepest cave in the world. Phone: 706-295-6041 Location: LaFayette, GA 30728 - Directions: West of LaFayette on GA Hwy 193 for 2.5 miles
Pocket Recreation Area is site of the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp F-16, that was in operation from 1938-1942. Camping, picnicing, hiking. Open April thru middle of November. Phone: 706-695-6736 - Location: Near Villanow, LaFayette, GA 30728 Directions: US Hwy. 27 to LaFayette
Queen City Lake - Park Amenities include: 260 acres. Boat ramp, restrooms, picnic tables, camping, fishing and swimming. Fish Species include bass, bream, channel catfish and crappie. Open: May through August from 8 am - 8 pm. Phone: 706-638-1272 - Location: Warthen Street, LaFayette
Rock City Gardens is located atop Lookout Mountain, six miles from downtown Chattanooga Tennessee, Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with more than 400 different native plant species, and panoramic views 1700 feet above sea-level. Rock City’s Enchanted Trail includes a 100-foot waterfall and Swing-A-Long bridge. Also on-site; Starbucks, Big Rock Grill, Rock City Pavilion, Critter Classroom, Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. Phone: Toll Free 887-0820-0795 or 706-820-2531 - Address: 1400 Patten Rd., Lookout Mountain, GA 30750 - Directions: I-75 to Chattanooga Tennessee, take I-24 west, Exit 178 south into Georgia. Follow the signs to Rock City.
