National Military Park to increase access to various units

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is increasing access.

The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 29, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will reopen access to:

♦ Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center, including America’s National Parks bookstore (11 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily).

♦ Chickamauga Battlefield Recreation Field.

♦ Point Park, including Ochs Observatory Deck, Ochs Museum, and the resumption of entrance fee collection using self-service automated fee machines.

♦ Lookout Mountain Visitor Center, including American’s National Parks bookstore (11 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily), parking lot, and restrooms. ♦ Sunset Rock parking lot.

♦ Signal Point parking lot, overlook, restrooms, and picnic pavilion.

In addition, the following spaces continue to be available: all roads, all picnic areas, and all trails.

While not related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wilder Brigade Monument (also known as Wilder Tower) in Chickamauga Battlefield will remain closed at this time due to a scheduled interior maintenance project.

“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount,” Superintendent Brad Bennett said. “At Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.”

A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face-covering when social distance cannot be maintained.