Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park ⓘ

Civil War battles are fought by armies made up of three branches: infantry, cavalry, and artillery. At the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, General William T. Sherman's Union army had nearly 100,000 men. General Joseph E. Johnston had 65,000 in the Confederate Army. Today, American armies are designated by numbers. In the Civil War, armies were known by names. Union armies were usually named for major rivers. The Confederates named their armies for the states or regions in which they campaigned. Armies are complicated organizations. To control such large numbers of men, armies are divided into levels of command. Starting from the bottom, when a man enlisted in the army, he joined a company of about 100 men, commanded by a captain and two lieutenants. Ten companies from a particular state were combined into a regiment commanded by a colonel. For example, a man might be a member of B Company of the 63rd Georgia Regiment.

Brigades , commanded by a brigadier general, were made up of five regiments. They averaged about 1,500-2,000 soldiers. Three or four brigades composed a division (6,000 to 8,000 soldiers) commanded by a major general. Southern units were known by the names of their Generals and were usually men from the same state. Numbers were used to designate the northern units. A Corps (pronounced core) was composed of three or four divisions. It usually had artillery attached. A corps was commanded by a major general in the Union Army or a lieutenant general in the Confederate Army. As with the brigades and divisions, Confederate corps were named after their generals and Union corps were given numbers (usually Roman numerals).

Following the election of President Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860, becoming the first state to do so. Other states soon followed suit and America would never be the same…

Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of the United States in 1860, and later inaugurated in 1861. His election was a sectional victory, winning none of the southern states. This was the final straw for many Southerners, as they feared that his presidency would result in the end of their way of life.

On December 20, 1860, South Carolina declared their secession from the United States of America. Within the next six months, ten other southern states would secede from the Union:

On February 4, 1861, the seven states that had seceded by this point convened and created the Confederate States of America under the leadership of Jefferson Davis. Just under two months later, on April 12, 1861, Confederate forces opened fire on Union-occupied Fort Sumter off the South Carolina coast. This was the beginning of the Civil War.

In 1860, the United States Census reported that there were a total of 4.4 million African Americans in the country. Of this total, approximately 488,000 were free blacks and the remaining 4 million were enslaved. The first African American slaves were brought to the United States in 1619 and slavery flourished in the largely agrarian colonial economy. By the late 18th century, the institution was in decline. This was particularly evident in the Northern states, where slavery was gradually and incrementally abolished. In the Southern states, support for slavery also declined, but the invention of Eli Whitney's cotton gin in 1792 renewed demand for slave labor. As the South's wealth and dependency on slavery expanded, the institution became a source of sectional discord that divided the nation. Despite a series of congressional compromises aimed at settling the issue of slavery and its expansion into the Western territories, slavery remained the most absorbing, divisive, and volatile theme of political debate. The failure to resolve the issue in the political arena led to disunion and war. In addition to the enslaved population, there was a notable population of free blacks living in the country. Freedom could be attained a few ways: escaping, being given freedom by one's master, or through birth (one's status as slave or free followed that of the mother).

On a plantation, slaves were divided into two groups based on their work responsibilities: house slaves and field slaves. A house slave worked in the master's house in close proximity to the master and his family. Their duties involved cooking, cleaning, nannying the children, acting as a valet, amongst a variety of other tasks. Involving more heavy physical labor, the tasks of a field slave included working the land of the master. The life of a slave was largely dependent of his or her master. Because slaves were considered property, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, if families were kept together or split apart, and whether or not a slave lived or died all depended on their master. Slaves were not considered citizens of the United States, but they were subject to laws known as slave codes. Each state, in which slavery was legal, there existed a slave code which outlined the condition of being a slave, as well as a description of offenses and punishments for said offenses.

In the Kennesaw Mountain region, there were populations of both enslaved and free blacks. However, there were not a lot of slaves in this area as a result of the lack of large plantations. Monemia and James Johnson were two free blacks who lived in Marietta during the Civil War. Monemia ran a restaurant and store and her husband, James, was a barber. James' treasonous dealings with a Union spy, Henry Cole, led him to flee to the city of Nashville, Tennessee. In November of 1864, after the capture of Atlanta, Union troops plundered Monemia's restaurant and home taking nearly everything she owned as provisions for the Union Army. Soon after, the fires set in Marietta by the Union troops destroyed her house and restaurant. History remembers Monemia Johnson because of the claim she filed against the United States government for $2,591.10 in damages. Thirteen years after the end of the Civil War, Monemia finally received a check for a total of $246.

The lives of women during the mid-nineteenth century varied greatly according to their socio-economic status, i.e. working on a farm, leading a life of leisure, or working in a factory. Even with the differences between the varying groups within Victorian society, all women were united by a common societal view towards their sex. Their lives were dominated by the ideals of what is known as the Cult of Domesticity and True Womanhood. The major principles of this ideology included: piety, purity, domesticity, and submissiveness. The extent to which these principles were relevant to a woman's daily life also depended on their socio-economic status. For example, the wife of a yeomen farmer would likely have worked alongside her husband on the family farm, in addition to her duties within the home. Along the same lines, the wife or daughter of a large plantation owner or merchant would have had more time to practice the crafts and other activities, such as embroidery and playing musical instruments, recommended by the ideals of the Cult of Domesticity.

For the women of the Kennesaw Mountain region, daily life was similar to that of the everyday American woman, finding themselves a part of the Victorian ideal of womanhood. In the South, there were two exceptions to this expectation: enslaved and free black women; in society the same rules of femininity did not apply. The major social-economic groups that existed in the Kennesaw Mountain region included: merchants, large-scale farmer, yeomen farmer, free-blacks, and slaves. With the beginning of the Civil War, the roles of men and women changed.

While men were predominantly involved in the military, most women remained active on the homefront. The ideals of the Cult of Domesticity and True Womanhood were still in existence, however with the occurrence of war the roles of women shifted out of necessity. Some women were more directly involved in the war through their service as nurses and doctors, by disguising themselves as soldiers, and/or by participating in espionage activity. Women were responsible for taking on many of the duties of males while they were away at war. A woman's socio-economic status greatly influenced the extent to which she assumed additional roles. For example, an enslaved black woman would have continued her work without much interruption, but the wife of a yeoman farmer would have been responsible for maintaining not only the housework, but also the family farm.

Another way that the war expanded the roles of women was through work outside of the home. In a scenario akin to women entering the workforce during World War II, numerous middle class women went to work in government offices, hospitals, factories, and mills. For the women of the Kennesaw Mountain region and the surrounding area, the mills in New Manchester and Roswell were the most notable. When General Sherman came through Georgia during the Atlanta Campaign (1864), many of the women working in local mills were arrested on charges of treason against the Union and shipped north. For many of these women, it would be years before they were able to return to their homes.

At the end of the war, life for most women returned to its pre-war existence dominated by the Cult of Domesticity. However, for many women life would be forever changed because homes and lands were destroyed, husbands never returned from the war, and formerly held ideals were shattered. The work of the women on the homefront during the Civil War prepared America for the women's rights movement.

“Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right to citizen-ship in the United States.” ~ Frederick Douglass

These words spoken by Frederick Douglass moved many African Americans to enlist in the Union Army and fight for their freedom. With President Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the Civil War became a war to save the union and to abolish slavery. Approximately 180,000 African Americans comprising 163 units served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and many more African Americans served in the Union Navy . Both free African-Americans and runaway slaves joined the fight.

On July 17, 1862, Congress passed two acts allowing the enlistment of African Americans, but official enrollment occurred only after the September 1862 issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. In general, white soldiers and officers believed that black men lacked the courage to fight and fight well. In October 1862, African American soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteers silenced their critics by repulsing attacking Confederates at the battle of Island Mound , Missouri. By August 1863, 14 Negro Regiments were in the field and ready for service. At the battle of Port Hudson , Louisiana, May 27, 1863, the African American soldiers bravely advanced over open ground in the face of deadly artillery fire. Although the attack failed, the black soldiers proved their capability to withstand the heat of battle. On July 17, 1863, at Honey Springs , Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, the 1st Kansas Colored fought with courage again. Union troops under General James Blunt ran into a strong Confederate force under General Douglas Cooper. After a two-hour bloody engagement, Cooper’s soldiers retreated. The 1st Kansas, which had held the center of the Union line, advanced to within fifty paces of the Confederate line and exchanged fire for some twenty minutes until the Confederates broke and ran. General Blunt wrote after the battle, “I never saw such fighting as was done by the Negro regiment....The question that negroes will fight is settled; besides they make better solders in every respect than any troops I have ever had under my command.”

Originally a nomadic people, they became farmers and, by the 19th century, adopted the culture and lifestyle of white people in an attempt to keep their land. In 1830's Georgia, the discovery of gold and the desire to expand the country's territory caused the forced removal of the Cherokee people to Oklahoma. This involuntary removal became known as the Trail of Tears . Settlers began to move into North Georgia by late 1832, first attracted by the possibility of finding gold in Dahlonega. From the 1830s through the 1850s, these new landowners moved into the area now known as the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, establishing their homes on the frontier.

Originally, the Cherokee nation covered a broad area in the Southeastern United States. Their territory included areas of modern day Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. By 1817, due to successive treaties with the British Crown and the United States Government, Cherokee lands had greatly diminished. By such time, the Cherokee occupied but a fraction of their original homelands to include southwestern North Carolina, southeastern Tennessee, northeastern Alabama and northern Georgia.

As their territory was threatened, the Cherokee began adopting the cultural behaviors of white Americans. The Cherokee people made their home in northern Georgia, including what is now Cobb County and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. 4,000 dwellings, mostly log cabins, stood in the Georgia section of the Cherokee Nation. A typical farmstead included potato houses, smokehouses, corn cribs, and stables. There was a vegetable garden near the house, as well as peach, apple, pear, and plum trees on many grounds. Some of these plantations sold certain crops, like tobacco and cotton, for cash. A few plantations were owned by Cherokee people wealthy enough to own slaves. Farming wasn't the only occupation for the Cherokee people. Some also owned ferries and stores. They had their own bilingual newspaper using their Cherokee language , sent their children to school, established a bicameral legislature, and dressed according to the modern American fashion. The capitol of the Cherokee Nation was just north of Kennesaw Mountain, at New Echota , which is now a state park.

In the late 1820s, gold was found in the hills of Dahlonega, a town in north Georgia. America's first gold rush ensued, as numerous white Americans flooded into the region. This prompted the federal government to reconsider the sovereignty of the Cherokee nation. In the case of Worcester v Georgia, the Supreme Court upheld their rights as an independent nation. However, President Andrew Jackson ignored the ruling and the removal of the Cherokee began.

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 mandated the relocation of all American Indian tribes east of the Mississippi River, including the Cherokee, to lands in the West. Over 16,000 Cherokee traveled by foot, horse, wagon, and steamboat to their final destination: Oklahoma. Many on the Trail died, homesick and physically spent from their arduous journey. Two Cherokee legends grew from that journey. Some Cherokee managed to escape the long trek to Oklahoma, making their way instead to North Carolina, where the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reside today.

After the Cherokee were forced from the area, land was parceled out to white men in 40 or 150 acre lots. Cobb County, Georgia saw an influx of new residents. They arrived to the frontier using old Indian trails and dirt roads that quickly became muddy after heavy rains. Life was difficult for the pioneering settlers.

Around 1809, a "mixed-blood" Cherokee named Sequoyah (who also went by George Gist or "Guess") started developing a written form of the Cherokee language. By 1821, he completed a syllable-based alphabet of 86 characters. The new alphabet was eventually adopted by the Cherokee Council in 1826. The council used it in a newspaper called The Cherokee Phoenix . This bilingual newspaper circulated throughout the Cherokee Nation, as well as parts of the United States and Europe. The printing office also printed thousands of pages of other publications in this new alphabet, including the Bible, hymn books, and a novel.

Sequoyah was born to a European fur trader and a Cherokee woman. He never learned English. He felt part of White America's power over the Cherokee was from their ability to communicate long distances with their written languages. This led him to experiment with ways to write down the otherwise spoken-only Cherokee language. By trade, Sequoyah was a painter and a silversmith. The written language experiments were put on hold as he served with the U.S. Army in the Creek War of 1813-1814. After the war, he married a Cherokee woman and they had a daughter. His daughter quickly learned the new written language, and helped her father teach it to other Cherokees. His new written language isn't in the form of an alphabet like most languages. Rather, it's called a Cherokee syllabary . Most syllabary characters represent a consonant and a vowel. Read left to right, it represents all the sounds needed to reproduce the oral language in paper form. Both the oral and written Cherokee languages are on the rise today. About 2,000 people speak it fluently, with approximately another 11,000 partial speakers.

In the Fall/Winter of 2017, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield partnered with the Student Conservation Association to help and tell various stories of our shared past. Two different interns were tasked with gathering hours of oral histories and interviews from local residents. See links and descriptions below to view the final product of these wonderful projects.

The purpose of this project is to bring greater awareness of soldier stories from diverse perspectives into the classroom in order to compare and contrast veterans' experiences from different wars and conflicts. These stories were collected, transcribed and archived with the Library of Congress, as well as used for curriculam based programming.

The purpose of this project is to capture oral histories from the African American community, to span the time frame of Civil War to Civil Rights. The stories were collected and transcribed, and then used by the interpretive division to develop more inclusive programming.

The landscape around Kennesaw Mountain is lush and green and, in the 19th century, was dotted with large and small farms. Trees were abundant and the mountain was the focal point of the landscape. Animals grazed unhurriedly, munching on grassy fields in rolling pastures. This peace and serenity was abruptly interrupted on the morning of June 27, 1864.

War severely altered the landscape of what is now Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Soldiers cut down trees and tore apart homes to build earthen fortifications for protection known as earthworks. The thousands of soldiers marching through the area killed grass, leaving large patches of exposed clay that, when it rained, turned into pools of thick mud. The fauna was badly damaged by foraging soldiers, fire, and the battles.

With the destruction of trees and other flora , animals fled the area. The noises of battle and the invasion of thousands of humans into their habitat forced animals to seek shelter elsewhere.

Eight miles of earthworks are still visible today at the Cheatham Hill battlefield location of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The plant life growing on the earthworks today helps keep them intact. Without this growth, the fortifications would be subject to soil erosion. Artifacts may still be found today. But a frequent question asked is, "Can we go looking for them?" The short answer is, "No." It is actually illegal to relic hunt on federal property or even taking items that you happen upon. There is a law that prohibits removal of artifacts from public lands like national parks: the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA).

As the soldiers came to each household to gather the Cherokee people together many wept tears of sadness over the loss of homes and personal belongings. Many were only allowed to take what they could carry and many were not allowed to take anything at all. As the people were taken from their homes they would cry out asking the Creator to send a miracle. Many realized that these things would happen according to some of our old teachings, but they still wept because this was the only home they had ever known. The Creator looked down upon his children, the Cherokee, and sent a miracle to help soothe their sorrows. At the place where the tears of our people fell, up sprang a shoot that looked like a cornstalk. As the plant bloomed and opened up, tears of gray fell to the ground. Creator said, "This will be a sign unto all who pass that my children will always be a part of this land. The cornstalk represents life for my children and the tears are gray for the suffering and sorrow." As the Trail of Tears began the people cried their tears of sorrow. They cried for the loss of family and home. As they walked along the trail, tears fell to the ground. Where these tears fell, there sprang up a small shoot and from it fell the tears of our people's suffering. Today these small plants can be found where the Cherokee once walked in times of sadness. From the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina to the Green Country of Oklahoma, to remind us that our people are strong and will survive just as this plant has. It also reminds us of the love our Creator has for his children. From The Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee were driven from their homelands in North Carolina and Georgia over 100 years ago when gold was discovered on their lands; the journey, known as the "Trail of Tears", was a terrible time for the people - many died from the hardships and the women wept. The old men knew the women must be strong to help the children survive so the called upon the Great One to help their people and to give the mothers strength. The Great One caused a plant to spring up everywhere a Mother's tears had fallen upon the ground on the journey. He told the old men that the plant would grow quickly, then fall back to the ground and another stem would grow. The plant would have whilte blossoms, a beautiful rose with five petals and gold in the center for the greed of the white man for the gold on their land. The leaves would have seven green leaflets, one for each Cherokee clan. The plant would be strong and grow quickly throughout the land all along the Trail of Tears. The stickers on the stem would protect it from those who might try to move it, as it spread to reclaim some of the lost Cherokee homeland. The next morning, the women saw the beautiful white blossoms far back on the trail. When they heard what the Great One had said they felt their strength returning and knew they would survive and the children would grow and the People would flourish in the new Cherokee Nation. From The Cherokee Nation

The Veterans’ History Project at KEMO serves to highlight veterans as well as active military who have served or are currently serving our country. This project highlights differing perspectives, branches, and timefames to compare and contrast experiences. Our park is a battlefield site; therefore, this project offers a vital connection to past, present, and future military stories. Another component of this project is to bring a greater awareness of these soldier accounts into the classroom, providing a better understanding of our shared history. These stories were gathered and compiled by Susan Caolo from October 2017 through February 2018. The interviews will become part of the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project, housed in Washington, D.C.

The audio clips featured are a portion of the full interview conducted with each participant. The interviews are categorized according to specific themes addressed. These themes are highlighted in the student workbook that complement the oral history project.

The strategy and tactic used at Kennesaw Mountain and throughout the Atlanta Campaign led to the final outcome of the Civil War. The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was some of the heaviest fighting throughout the entire Atlanta Campaign. Learn about the Civil War army structure and the people who were directly involved in the fighting. Discover what happened at the beginning when southern states began to secede from the Union and then towards the end, where the armies fought through Georgia . Be sure to watch videos of rangers explaining the battles. Coming to the park? Check out ranger-led talks and living history events .

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park serves as a memorial to the war-weary soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict. The park preserves three monuments, four stone markers for individuals, and the entire battlefield where many people fought bravely for their cause. Check out the Veteran's History Project which outlines many other brave men and women who fought for our country throughout history.

The Civil War was a significant event that led towards Civil Rights for many groups of people, especially for those who were enslaved. Check out the Civil War to Civil Rights Project which highlights four individuals who lived through the historical civil rights era in the south. Be sure to also read about the African Americans who were making a stand here in Kennesaw, Georgia, as well as an important research report on African American Attitudes toward the Civil War . Finally, we can't forget women and their struggle towards independence. Read about women's fight to gain educational, economic, and social advancement.

The story of Kennesaw Mountain changes with the interaction of the people, the mountain itself, and its surrounding landscapes. Since 1000 B.C, Kennesaw Mountain was inhabited by the Cherokee's ancestors . Read about their culture and language , how it changed when Europeans arrived, and why they were forced out of their homeland .

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park preserves a battlefield hallowed by the sacrafice of more than 5,000 Americans. Learn how the landscape has changed over time by the battles that were fought, the gold that was explored, and the people who built homes. Learn about the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps . Want to leave your own legacy? Check out ways you can help us by volunteering in your park!

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park offers a wide range of activities! Explore the information below to learn more about what you can experience when you visit.

Calendar of Events Check the Calendar page to find out about ranger-led programs, hikes, and other events. You can also pick up a copy of the schedule at the visitor center. The calendar is updated as information becomes available.

The Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit! NPS Photo Visitor Center Resources Park Movie : View our 35-minute movie on the Atlanta Campaign and Battle of Kennesaw, titled "Kennesaw: One Last Mountain." The film plays at 15 minutes after the hour every hour. Bookstore : Visit and browse in the park's bookstore , managed by America's National Parks. The park store has a wide range of books, posters, replica civil war items, and other items available for retail sale. Can't get to the Visitor Center? Browse through the online store. Museum: Renovated in November, 2002, the museum is more than twice the size of the previous one and includes many artifacts which have never been on display. The exhibits not only tell the military story, but also the civilian, medical, and communication aspects of the Atlanta Campaign. Museum Tours: Held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2:00pm. Join a Park Ranger or park volunteer for a 30 minute guided tour of our museum. No reservations required. Tours are incumbant upon staffing. Ranger Presentations: Here on a weekend? Ranger presentations and/or living history demonstrations typically start at 11:00 am. They are between 20 to 30 minutes and cover a wide range of topics. Check out the calendar for more information. Junior Ranger Books: Pick up your free Pee-Wee Ranger book, Junior Ranger book, or Spanish Junior Ranger book from the visitor center (or download before coming to the park). Once the book is completed, kids earn a special Kennesaw Mountain Junior Ranger Badge! Park Brochure & Site Bulletins: Get your information here! Go to the visitor center to get your own copy of the free Kennesaw Mountain NBP brochure . You can also get several free site bulletins that explore different aspects of the park's interpretive themes in more detail.

Get your history on at one of the park's many historic weapon demonstrations! NPS Photo / T. Hegler Outdoor Activities Take a Hike: Kennesaw Mountain NBP has over 22 miles of maintained interpretive trails for hiking and learning. Make it leisurely by bringing your dog on leash with you. Or make it hard core by walking fast and learn while you burn! Follow a Ranger-Led Hike: Want more information than our wayside signs provide? Check out the calendar for times when the rangers explore the events that occurred during the Battle at Kennesaw Mountain. Participate in Living History : Whether it's artillery fire, infantry volleys, field medicine tents, or cooking demonstrations, join our rangers and volunteers as they relive history for the enjoyment of the visitors (and yes...they love it too)! Check out the calendar for the next living history event. Go Horseback Riding: Some areas in the park are available for horses. Contact the visitor center for specific locations between Kolb Farm and Kennesaw Avenue. Please note: There are no horses available in the park to ride. You must bring your own. Horse trailers can park at the dirt lot on Cheatham Hill and Powder Springs Rd. John Ward Creek Crossing is closed to horses at this time due to an unstable streambed. Enjoy a Picnic: Several picnic benches surrounded by grass are located in your national park. This is a great way to eat your lunch and enjoy the sunshine. Don't forget your sunscreen! Go to Activity Areas #1, #2, or #3 to fly your kite or play ball. (In the link, type the area in the map's search box to get a detailed view of each activity area.) Want to bring your bike? Enjoy a bike ride only on paved surfaces, not on the trails. Make sure to check the Superintendent's Compendium for all activity restrictions. Go Birding : Grab your binoculars, get a checklist of common birds from the visitor center, and look up! As a prime natural migration habitat that is critical for neotropical bird migrants (ie: vireos, warblers), your national park was designated a globally Important Bird Area in 2000! It's the first designation in Georgia! So, let's go birding ! Explore by Vehicle : Prefer to drive the park? We got you covered! Parking is available at the Visitor Center and, if full, in the overflow lot a short walk away. Leave your car behind and take the park shuttle to the top. For other locations, be sure to drive to the main battlefield at Cheatham Hill, then to an old homestead turned into a battle site at Kolb Farm. Find out where to park at each stop.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hiker, Kennesaw Mountain has hiking trails for everyone to enjoy. NPS Photo For those who want to explore the terrain of Kennesaw Mountain, try one of the designated hiking trails found within the park's boundaries. Hiking is a great way to explore the park's history and habitats, provide solitude and mindfulness, and the sense of accomplishment for completing a hike!

NPS Photo Accessible Hiking For those with mobility challenges who wish to explore the park, Kennesaw Mountain has limited accessible trail areas: The road to the top of Kennesaw Mountain is an asphalt road. There are no shoulders on the sides, so while hiking is permitted, caution is required! Visitors may drive their vehicles to the top. 25+ miles of trails exist in the park. Trails wind around and through historical sections of the Battle at Kennesaw Mountain. While all are mostly hard-packed dirt, it is advised to talk with a ranger about the terrain of any specific trail you are interested in. They can give you a clear description of boulders, steps, and drop-offs you should be aware of before hiking. Portions of the City of Marietta Multi-Use Trail also run through the park. View the Multi-Use Trail Map for more information.

For more information about our trails, including the interpretive opportunities you can find while hiking, check out the park's interactive trails map .

Guided hikes are a great way to get outdoors while learning about the history of Kennesaw Mountain. NPS Photo Guided Hikes Periodically, Park Rangers and volunteers offer guided hikes. These hikes take place on various hiking trails and explore the history of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, flora and fauna present on the mountain, and the wildlife that call Kennesaw Mountain home.

Please check our events calendar to see if there are any guided hikes scheduled. Announcements for guided hikes will also be posted on the park's social media pages.

All hiking trails are open according the park grounds operating hours which are as follows: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM -- Standard Time (November - March) 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM -- Daylight Saving Time (March - November)

Portions of the City of Marietta Multi-Use Trail also run through the park. View the Multi-Use Trail Map for more information. Additionally, Kennesaw Mountain NBP offers the use of an all-terrain track chair on designated trails. Registration, reservations, and trainings must be completed on All-Terrain Georgia's website . Maps of designated routes can also be found on the same website.