Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a 2,965 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. Opposing forces maneuvered and fought here from June 19, 1864 until July 2, 1864. Although most famo...
The Daily Pass is valid for the date of purchase only. It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable. This pass does NOT guarantee a parking spot.
Entrance - Per Person
$5.00
The Daily Pass is valid for the date of purchase only. It admits all walk-in visitors aged 16 and older.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
$0.00
To request an Academic Fee Waiver for your group, click on the link for further details.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00
$100 Motor Coach/Commercial Tour Groups with 26 or more people
Location of where the 63rd Georgia Infantry attempted to defend against a large frontal assault. The small confederate contingent suffered heavy casualties in this engagement.
This location is located in the corner of a large, open field. A small gray painted sign with white letters stands about two feet high. It reads "CSA 63rd Georgia, Mercer's Brigade, Walker's Division, Hardee's Corps. Directly in front of this position is a large tree line, running from left to right. To the right is a wooden fence separating the field from the parking lot.
America's National Park's bookstore is located in the Visitor Center at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and is a perfect place to purchase souvenirs, historic books, refreshments, and more!
America's National Park's bookstore is located in the park's Visitor Center. As you walk in the front doors of the Visitor Center, continue straight past the front desk, which is on your left. As you pass the front desk, the bookstore opens up on your left. The far wall in front of you is lined with bookshelves carrying various historic volumes on the various aspects of the Civil War and the Atlanta Campaign. Following that around to your left, the next wall contains hiking gear, an ice cream cooler, and a soft drink/water cooler. Continuing to bare left, you come to the third wall which has shelves of various historic replica items, such as handblown Jamestown Glass, bugles, and calligraphy sets. The middle section of the bookstore contains other souvenirs, hiking equipment, clothing items, National Park memorabilia, etc. The entire room is fairly large and can comfortably hold about 20 or so browsing guests.
This is the location where a Confederate regiment from Missouri entrenched and defended against a Union frontal assault.
This location sits near the top of a steep rocky slope. A wooden platform has been built and a small bench has been placed here. To the front is a wooden fence, with a shallow earthen ditch on the other side. Directly to the rear is another earthen ditch. These are the remains of Confederate defensive earthworks. To the front is an interpretive wayside highlighting a historic photograph. This black and white was taken from this exact location shortly after the battle. The proof of this is a large boulder near the center of the photo. This same boulder is visible just over the fence line in the trench. Just in front of the boulder is a small gray sign that reads "Confederate Cockrell's Brigade, French's Division, Loring's Corps"
Marker indicating the starting point of Col. Dan McCook's Brigade during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Just to the right of the wide, flat trail is a small flattened clearing. Towards the back of the clearing is a small, square - like marble marker with the following raised text: This marks the starting point of Col. Dan McCook's 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps in the assault on the Confederate works to the east on the morning of June 27th, 1864. The surroundings are heavily wooded with trees and undergrowth.
The Kolb Farmhouse is the oldest standing structure in the park (dating back to the 1830's). It is also the site of the Battle of Kolb's Farm, which was one of the battles preceding the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Located at the busy intersection of Powder Springs Rd. and Callaway Rd, the Kolb Farmhouse is a medium, two story log cabin with a cedar shake style wooden roof. Somewhat different that other log cabins of the era are the four brick chimneys on the east and west sides of the house and the squared off, hand hewn pine logs that make up it's construction (instead of the rounded sides of other, more common cabins). The accents of the house and porch are painted a deep red, and there is small family cemetary at the front entrance to the house near the road.
Sitting behind a wooden fence is a shallow, earthen depression with rocks and boulders protruding. A gray sign in the depression reads Confederate, Lumsden's Alabama Battery.
Confederate Mebane's Tennessee artillery battery was used with deadly effectiveness during the Battle Kennesaw Mountain NBP
As you approach this location from the parking lot, it appears to be a semi-circle shaped earthen mound with two cannons and their carriages pointing to the left. There is a small gray sign at the entrance to this position detailing who was here (Confederate Mebane's Tennessee Battery). Closer to the cannons is a small wayside interpretive sign giving some information on this position during the battle.
Pigeon Hill is a spur, or small hill just south of Little Kennesaw Mountain. This is a popular hiking area, as well as the site of one of the larger Union assaults during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Pigeon Hill is a small rise or spur just south of Little Kennesaw. Coming from that direction, Pigeon Hill rises gently from a wooded, grassy area and becomes fairly steep and rocky towards it's peak. The smaller rocks give way to large boulders and interspersed smaller trees. The trail over the top of Pigeon Hill winds in and out of these boulders and over several sections of flat rock. The western side of the slope (which was where the Union assault came from) drops steeply off into a heavily wooded area. Also at this location is a Confederate defensive position, marked by a manufactured trench dug in amongst the rocks, providing significant cover. On a clear day, the peak of Pigeon Hill offers commanding views to the south west of Marietta and Lost Mountain, a shadowy peak some 10 plus miles away. Over the flat rock and boulders of the peak, the trail down the southern slope descends steeply but steadily though one more Confederate trench line and eventually ends at Burnt Hickory Road.
This is a site within the historic New Salem Community in Marietta.
At this location, the visitor is standing on a hard-packed dirt trail facing a large open field. The trail snakes off to the right, while the field itself is surrounded by trees on two sides. To the far left of the field is the often busy Burnt Hickory Rd. Pigeon Hill is not visible from this location, but just on the other side of Burnt Hickory Road to the left/north.
Peak of Big Kennesaw Mountain at 1808 ft above sea level.
The summit of Big Kennesaw Mountain shows uneven bare tan colored stone protruding from the ground, bordered a by small paved path to the south and north. The tree line rings the base of this rock. On a clear day, the view to the south shows the Marietta Square, as well as the skylines of Buckhead and downtown Atlanta. You can also see the humped profile of Stone Mountain to the south west. To north, the view is of the major road Cobb Parkway/Highway 41 stretching into the distance, as well as the Allatoona Mountains on the horizon. This was the direction from which Sherman's 3 armies approached the Confederate defensive position at the top of the mountain.
The 24-Gun Battery was the site of 6 Union Lite Artillery Batteries (4 cannons each). The remnants of many of the cannon placements are still visible today.
The quickest, easiest way to access this site is from the trail head at Gilbert Road. From this trail head, you will walk about 1/10 of a mile through a small field, and then into a shaded wood line. The narrow, rocky, well worn path weaves eastward through dense trees, with a large field on your left. Eventually, on your right, is the first evidence of this site's usefulness 160 plus years ago. Barely noticeable to the naked eye, about 50 feet from the trail is a shallow depression. On the side of the depression opposite the trail, are two large mounds. This marks the first of the more than 20 remaining artillery positions from this original battery. When it was operational, the cannon would have sat in this depression with the barrell pointed out between the two mounds (which would have protected the crew and the gun itself). The cannon in this first position is a slim, black, iron cannon known as a 3 inch ordinance rifle. As you continue down the trail, you next pass an interpretive sign detailing the effectiveness of this site during the battle. As you continue, there are three more cannons in the positions of the previous. Two of them are the same slim black ordinance rifles, the third is a shorter, wider cannon, green with patina and age. This cannon would have constructed with bronze instead of the iron of the others, has a lesser range, and is known as a 12 pound Napolean. The trail continues eastward, with the empty artillery emplacements spaced out evenly on the left. Eventually, the trail ends at the picnic area near the Visitor Center. The total one way mileage is 1.5 miles.
Base of Cheatham Hill where a large Union assault too place against a Confederate defensive position.
At this location, you are standing at the base of a large hill. You are on a roughly 5-6ft wide reddish orange dirt path. To the right of the path is a very large field surrounded on all sides by trees. To the left all the way up the path is a dense wooded area. At the top of the hill is a large marble monument, some wooden fencing, and more trails.
The 'Dead Angle' was a curve or bend in the Confederate earthworks that was the site of a large Union assault during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Walking along a wide dirt path, low earthen mounds run along the left side. At this location, the mounds begin to curve in the opposite direction, creating an 'angle. Directly opposite of the 'angle' is an informational wayside sign describing the location, with a painted depiction of the battle. Just beyond the sign is the 25ft high marble Illinois Monument. This location is located at the peak of a gently sloping hill, which overlooks a large field at the base. Around the trails and field is heavily wooded.
You are standing on a wide dirt path. There are a series of low earthen hills and berms in at the front of the trail making up the remainder of the Confederate earthworks. Standing just in front of these earthworks is a small black and white sign with a wooden post. The picture dominating the sign is a black and white illustration of a young man with dark hair and a mustache and wearing a military uniform. The text identifies this man as Dan McCook, who was fatally shot near this point.
The site of General Charles Harker's 3rd Brigade during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Also, the approximate site of Harker's death.
A small blue sign with white text sits in a grassy clearing at the edge of a tree line. From top to bottom, the text reads: Union, 3rd Brigade Harker, 2nd Division Newton, 14th Corps Howard.
Site marking the death and temporary interment of Sgt. C.H. Coffey.
A small stone marker surrounded by a short wooden fence stands ten feet off of a wide dirt trail. There is a small U.S. flag in the ground in the front of the marker and silk flower bouquets on each side. From top to bottom, the marker reads: C.H. Coffey, First Sergeant, Commanding Co. I, 22nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Mortally Wounded At This Place June 27, Died June 29, 1864 And Buried Here Afterwards Buried in Marietta National Cemetary
Grave of the Unknown Soldier at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
A small marble headstone reading 'Unknown' sits surrounded by a small, rectangular wooden fence, outlining the grave itself. If you are coming from the Illinois Monument, the gravesite is to the left of wide, well worn dirt path. Many times there are flags and/or pennies left as mementos to honor the dead.
The Illinois Monument stands on the 'Dead Angle', which was an especially violent and casualty ridden part of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and the Atlanta Campaign. This monument was the first in the park, and honors the Union soldiers that lost their lives there on June 27, 1864.
The Illinois Monument is a large, 25 foot high marble monument. An American eagle sets atop the monument and life-size figures of a Union soldier at parade rest is flanked by two Grecian women representing “peace” and either “victory” or the State of Illinois stands on its front edifice.
The Texas Monument shows not only the Texas regiments that fought at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, but also where most of them were located during the battle.
The Texas Monument is a rectangular stone structure standing roughly 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It is made of rose quartz and has a pinkish color. At the top is a is a bronze 5 pointed star surrounded by a wreath. The words inscribed on the front and back of the monument detail the Texas regiments present at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The monument stands near the edge of the road in front of a large field with a dirt trail winding through in the background.
Located on the side of Cheatham Hill Dr, in the park's Southern Section, this is the location of a notable truce that occurred during the battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Off the side of Cheatham Hill drive, a small grassy section sits between the road and thickly wooded area. Nearer the road is an informational way-side sign detailing the truce and other events that happened near here during the battle.
Site of Major General George H. Thomas' headquarters during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. This was also where the Union assault on Cheatham Hill began.
There is a bronze historical sign that stands about face level that marks this position. It is on the edge of a wide dirt path. The path continues on to the right, but is cut in half by Cheatham Hill Rd. on the left. Except for the roadway, the sign is s surrounded by trees in a wooded setting.
Union Trench line along Kennesaw Mountain NBP's 'Assault Trail'
An earthen trench, or ditch sits roughly 20 feet in front of this position and runs horizontally to the right and left off into the woods. Between the trail and the trench is a small wooden sign with the following words painted in white (to be read from top to bottom): Union, 1st Brigade Morgan, 2nd Division Davis, 14th Corps Palmer. The trail that you are standing on is a wide dirt path surround by dense woods and undergrowth.
Location of a major Union frontal assault against a fortified Confederate position.
The terrain here is relatively flat and rocky. A gray sign, about knee-high, reads 'Confederate, Bellamy's Alabama Battery. This indicates that an artillery position was here during the battle. This there are rocks emerging from the ground and a few massive boulders in the immediate area. A moderately steep drop is in your front, to the north facing Little Kennesaw Mountain. Directly behind you, it slopes more gently with light grasses and periodic boulders.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor Center
The Visitor Center at Kennesaw Mountain is located at 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr. and is open Monday - Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm except on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years).
America's National Park's bookstore is a one-stop shop for information, historic literature, snacks, refreshments, and souvenirs.
Genealogy Research
Rangers and volunteers can assist with basic genealogy research on Civil War ancestors.
View Park Film
Viewing the park film
Tour the Museum
Tour Kennesaw Mountain NBP's Museum
Hike to the Top of Big Kennesaw Mountain
This 1.1 mile hike to the summit of Big Kennesaw mountain is one of the most scenic and popular trails in the park. You will see Confederate trenches and artillery positions, as well as breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It is moderately difficult and closed toed shoes and plenty of water are recommended.
Tours
Count: 4
Self-Guided Driving Tour
Whether you are a first timer or a veteran visitor of Kennesaw Mountain, this driving tour with short bits of walking is a great introduction to the country's most heavily visited National Battlefield Park. On this tour, you will see beautiful views, historic earthworks, authentic artillery pieces, and more.
The Action at Pigeon Hill
On the morning of June 27, 1864, three Union brigades assaulted the Confederate position at Pigeon Hill. While furious, the overall assault would eventually falter. This tour will give you some of the local history of this area and take you through the elements of the attack and the defense.
The Confederate Line of Cheatham Hill
This self-guided tour will explore some of the key points of the Confederate defensive position and their actions near Cheatham Hill during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
The Union Assault at Cheatham Hill
This self-guided tour details key points of the Union army's assault at Cheatham Hill during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
