Day 46: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Before leaving Chattanooga, we had one more place we wanted to make sure we visited. Chickamauga Battlefield near Fort Oglethorpe, GA is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (and part of the National Park System). The Battle of Chickamauga was fought September 19 and 20, 1863. It was a very significant battle in the Civil War, since it marked a major Union defeat as well as the second largest number of casualties (about 34,000 total) of any battle in the war (behind only the Battle of Gettysburg, with an estimated 46,000 to 51,000 casualties).

The Visitor Center at the north end of the park had too much for us to take in during the short time we had available, but we were able to view exhibits and talk with some of the park staff. Approximately 350 different rifles and muskets of that era were on display, along with cannons and typical gear carried by the soldiers. We didn't have time to view the 26 minute film, since we wanted to drive the seven mile self-guided auto tour around the park and had already spent an hour at the visitor center. The tour took us about two hours, including a late lunch break.

By then it was late afternoon. We proceeded north on I-75 toward Knoxville, and then turned east and took some scenic highways to Sevierville and finally Pigeon Forge, TN. By then it was dark, and since the three eastbound lanes of Highway 441 through town were gridlocked, we had plenty of time to take in all the sights and lights of this extremely busy tourist trap of a town. Located near an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and home to theme parks (such as Dolly Parton's Dollywood), carnivals, dinner theaters, museums, a NASCAR speedway, and unique gift shops, this little town of about 6,000 people receives over 11 million visitors annually. Our hotel was located right in the middle of town, but it turned out to be a quiet oasis along the Little Tennesee River, which ran past the back of the property.

We traveled another 169 miles today; 6,539 total miles now.

Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center