Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is announcing additional modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and local and state authorities to promote social distancing.
As of Tuesday, the following areas will be temporarily closed until further notice:
Chickamauga Battlefield
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Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center (including upper and lower parking lots)
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Tour Stop 1 Gravel Parking Lot
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Wilder Brigade Monument (Tower)
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All Secondary Roads
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Reeds Bridge Road Picnic Area
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Vault Toilets
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America’s National Parks Bookstore
Lookout Mountain Battlefield
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Point Park
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Ochs Museum
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Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center (including parking lot)
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Sunset Rock Parking Lot
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Cravens House Parking Lot
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America’s National Parks Bookstore
Other Park Areas
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Signal Point Parking Lot
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Signal Point Restrooms
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Bragg Reservation Parking Lot
Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, the remainder of the park will remain open, which includes the following:
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Chickamauga Battlefield Trails
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Lookout Mountain Battlefield Trails
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Moccasin Bend National Archeological District Trails
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Missionary Ridge Reservations
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Orchard Knob
Visitors may continue to enjoy the park online (
www.nps.gov/chch) or through social media (www.facebook.com/chickamauganps, www.twitter.com/chickamauganps, www.instagram.com/chickamauganps).
Although much of the battlefield tour route will be affected by the recent closures, visitors may continue virtually touring the park by visiting
chch.toursphere.com. If visitors are searching for unit monuments, markers or tablets while hiking within the national military park, the park’s “Find a Regiment” App is also available for download (
www.pointsmap.com/chickamauga).
Park staff also encourage visitors to practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out any and all trash in order to keep the park clean.
Additionally, park rangers will continue to patrol park areas in order to protect and promote visitor safety, as well as to continue protecting the park’s cultural and natural resources.
Officials said, "The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers and partners at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is our number one priority. The National Park Service is working with federal, state and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.
"The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
"For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness."
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on
www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.