Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to find their park during a special event celebrating the National Park Service Centennial. Visitors are encouraged to learn about Civil War signaling, participate in hikes with park rangers, and learn about the history associated with Signal Point. These programs take place atop Signal Mountain on Saturday, June 18 between 9 a.m. and 4 pm in Signal Point.
"As the National Park Service launches into its second century of preserving special places across the United States, the time has never been better to explore new facets of the national parks and to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates. Come explore an often overlooked treasure—Signal Point—and perhaps see it in a new way as you watch living historians demonstrate what it was like to send and receive messages from Signal Point during the Civil War (including a children’s activity), to participate in hikes led by park rangers from the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail, and talk with historians about the addition of Signal Point to the national military park in the late 1940s," officials said.
Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail park rangers will lead three hikes from Signal Point. Registration is required for these hikes and will be taken on-site the day of the event. There is a 20 person maximum on each hike. Bring a bottle of water, wear good hiking shoes, and have weather appropriate clothing.
Hiking Information:
• View to View Hike: Leaving from Signal Point at 10 a.m. Come enjoy a ranger-led hike from Signal Point to Edwards Point. Come learn the history of the Cumberland Trail and hike from two of the best views the trail and Chattanooga has to offer. This will be an 8 mile hike requiring 3 to 4 hours. Please have good hiking shoes, water, and snacks and be capable of covering 8 miles over a trail that changes elevation.
• Kids Hike: At Signal Point at 11 a.m. This will be an easy hike centered on introducing kids to the many wonders that can be found in your local national and state parks as well as your own back yard. This is an easy hike and will not leave the point area, easy to start and plug in and out of, led by our veteran Park Manager, Bobby Fulcher, a 40 year veteran of state parks and interpreter extraordinaire.
• Point to Creek Hike: Leaving Signal Point at 1 p.m. Enjoy a 3 mile ranger-led hike from Signal Point down to Middle Creek and Rainbow Falls. Learn the history of the Cumberland Trail and hike down to Middle Creek and the falls. Please have good hiking shoes and water.
"Be sure to collect a special commemorative giveaway—available while supplies last," organizers said.
For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/chch.