Some national parks have admission fees, including Point Park atop Lookout Mountain, but all 400-plus sites across the country will be open for free visits during National Park Week, which lasts from Saturday, April 16, through Sunday, April 24. This year marks the centennial of the National Parks Service.
In addition to self-guided exploration, area residents may take in special programming at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park the next two weekends.
At Chickamauga Battlefield: This weekend, car caravan tours are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17. Next weekend, on Saturday, April 23, a car caravan tour is set for 10 a.m. and a program exploring the history of the National Park Service starts at 2 p.m. All programs begin inside the Visitor Center, 3370 LaFayette Road.
At Lookout Mountain Battlefield: This weekend inside Point Park, ranger-guided walking tours are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 17. Next weekend, walking tours will begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days, Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24. Programs begin inside the park entrance gate on East Brow Road.
For more information, contact the Lookout Mountain Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/chch.