Civil War Experiences: A Field Trip to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

A man dressed as a Confederate soldier talks to students in front of a statue
Field trips are a great way for students to reinforce their classroom learning about the Civil War

NPS/C. Barr

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park preserves the landscapes in around Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Union and Confederate Armies clashed during the summer and fall of 1863 during the American Civil War. The vast majority of students who visit Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park do so in support of their curriculum related to the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Curriculum Standards
A Civil War Experiences field trip to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military will reinforce the following topics with your students:

- The Causes of the Civil War, including the role of slavery and states' rights in the secession crisis.
- How and why armies fought over the city of Chattanooga
- The consequences of the Civil War, including the Reconstruction amendments.

Rangers will tailor the specific topics covered based on the grade level and state standards for your individual class.

Field Trip Locations

Civil War Experiences can be a ranger-guided field trip conducted at Chickamauga Battlefield or at Lookout Mountain Battlefield (Point Park).

If you are unable to schedule a physical field trip to the park, check out some of our educational videos on Early American Indians, Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears, Causes of the Civil War, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Geography.

Things to Do During Your Field Trip

In addition to a ranger-guided program on the Civil War in the Chattanooga area, there are other things for you to do as well.

If you are visiting Chickamauga Battlefield, most school groups chose to watch the orientation film, and go through the museum exhibits, and many go out into the park on their own to explore independently or visit one of the park's picnic areas. If you are watching the video, touring the museum, and utilizing a picnic area in addition to your program, you should plan on spending around three hours at Chickamauga Battlefield.

If you are visiting Point Park at Lookout Mountain, there is a small museum exhibit at the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center, although there is no park film. Please note that if you are planning on utilizing the Incline Railroad or visiting the "Battles for Chattanooga," that these are privately run businesses who are not connected to the park. You will need to visit their websites to coordinate any visits with them independently.
 
 

For directions to the visitor centers at Chickamauga Battlefield and Lookout Mountain Battlefield, see the information below.

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Last updated: February 8, 2023

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