Walker County: Nature, History and Outdoor Experiences

Walker County offers a variety of reasons to visit: rock gardens and scenic overlooks, historic buildings, and opportunities for hiking, climbing or paddling. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can start by deciding whether nature and outdoor activities or the region’s history will be the focus of your stay.

Rock Gardens, Views and Scenery

Rock City Gardens spans 14 acres atop Lookout Mountain. The natural rock garden includes four self-guided trails, and more than 400 native plant species grow in the gardens. From the Lover’s Leap overlook, the view extends across seven different states. Fairyland Caverns features fairy-tale scenes, while Mother Goose Village presents nursery rhyme scenes. The rock garden, plants and staged stories each offer a different focus.

Other nature destinations each have their own appeal. The rocks at Rocktown are generally between 30 and 40 feet high, with opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering for beginners and experienced climbers. Blue Hole is a clear spring located just a short distance from a parking area on Blue Hole Road. McLemore Cove is known for its scenic beauty, antebellum buildings and extensive farmland. John’s Mountain covers 24,849 acres in Walker County; hikers can explore the Keown Falls Trail in the mountain area.

Hiking, Biking and Outdoor Activities

Lula Lake Land Trust offers opportunities for hiking, biking on some trails and visiting a scenic waterfall. Lula Falls is 120 feet high and about a 30-minute walk from the entrance to the central preserve. The Pocket Trail is 9 miles long, has several wildlife openings and a camping area, and leads to High Point, the highest point on Pigeon Mountain. Pocket Campground offers camping for families and parking for campers and RVs. Check the facilities before your trip.

Chickamauga Battlefield combines its significance as a historic landmark with an extensive trail network: the site covers 5,300 acres and has 50 miles of trails. Bicycles are allowed on all paved roads; horseback riding is permitted on the Red, White and Blue Trails. Parking and trail rules may change, so check them before a biking or horseback riding excursion.

West Chickamauga Creek flows through a significant part of Walker County and can be paddled by kayak and canoe. The West Chickamauga Creek launch point in Walker County is behind Lee & Gordon Mills in Chickamauga. Houston Valley OHV Area also offers a dedicated option for motorized outings: it has 25 miles of off-road trails across approximately 2,600 acres. Water and trail conditions can change; check the information relevant to your outing before visiting.

Historic Sites and Regional History

The John Ross House is considered the oldest surviving structure in northwest Georgia. Built around 1797, it later served as a United States post office and was used as a hospital during the Civil War. Chattooga Academy is considered one of Georgia’s oldest school buildings. From September 10 to 17, 1863, it served as headquarters for Confederate General Braxton Bragg.

Construction of the Gordon Lee Mansion began in 1840; the building was completed seven years later. Shortly before the Battle of Chickamauga, it served as General Rosecrans’s headquarters and, during the battle, as a hospital. The Coke Ovens tell a different story of the region’s history: in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coal was processed there into coke for iron and steel foundries. The Arts & Crafts Festival at the Coke Ovens is an annual event held in September. Check the dates for the relevant edition before your trip.

The Walker County Regional Heritage & Model Train Museum is housed in a former railroad depot in historic downtown Chickamauga. The Veterans of All Wars Museum at Lee & Gordon’s Mills contains information, artifacts and objects related to all wars. Nature lovers and history enthusiasts can choose from different trip themes; pick a hotel that suits the experiences you’re most interested in.

Programs and Special Activities

The James A. Smith Planetarium occasionally offers public programs; check current dates before planning a visit. Lookout Mountain Flight Park operates a hang-gliding school year-round. Confirm availability before booking.

Discover more destinations: Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Ware, Bryan, Brooks, Jeff Davis County, Elbert County, Monroe.

For the main travel overview: Georgia.