Kennesaw Mountain: battlefield now a place of peace, beauty
Published: Apr 30, 2009
Once the site of an intense Civil War campaign, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park just outside of Atlanta now tends to host picnickers, hikers and cyclists.
More than 1 million visitors per year come to Kennesaw Mountain for recreation or exercise, according to the Interior National Park Service. Its scenic beauty and prime location make the mountain a perfect spot to get back to nature, walk, hike, run, bike, rollerblade, attend an event or just relax. The park boasts nearly 3,000 acres of wilderness and more than 20 miles of trails.
A short drive down old U.S. 41 (from Barrett Parkway) toward the park’s visitor center is idyllic. Foliage on either side of the road provides a shady canopy for passing vehicles. But if you want to do more than drive through, feel free to pull off onto one of the shoulder parking areas so that you can do some exploring or perhaps spread a blanket where troops used to camp.
At the visitor center, located at the bottom of the mountain, park guests will find various activities and events throughout the year. Guided history walks, artillery demonstrations, living history reenactments, mountain hikes and various educational lectures are scheduled every month for free.
But, you don’t need a specific reason to come to Kennesaw Mountain. The park is open daily to anyone. Those who make the 1.2 mile trek to the top of the mountain are rewarded with spectacular views of Atlanta, Stone Mountain and more. Don’t worry; you can drive to the top as well (between dawn and dusk).
The park is steeped in history. You never know when you might come upon some marker touting the legacy of a certain dirt mound or the events that took place on a grassy field. Every area – from flatland to mountaintop – seems to have its own historical narrative.
For a map of the park or information on how to volunteer, click here.
- by Christine Foster, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro
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