Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a national battlefield park run by the National Park Service in Georgia.

In the park service’s words

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 famous as a Civil War battlefield, Kennesaw Mountain has a much richer story.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• View Park Film (35 to 35 Minutes): Viewing the park film
• Visit The Park Bookstore (10 to 60 Minutes): America's National Park's bookstore is a one-stop shop for information, historic literature, snacks, refreshments, and souvenirs.
• Genealogy Research (10 to 30 Minutes): Rangers and volunteers can assist with basic genealogy research on Civil War ancestors.
• Tour the Museum (15 to 60 Minutes): Tour Kennesaw Mountain NBP's Museum
• Hike to the Top of Big Kennesaw Mountain (45 to 90 Minutes): 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.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $5 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 6:30AM - 8:30PM. Kennesaw Mountain NBP is open from 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM during Daylight Saving Time (March - November) and 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM Standard Time (December - February) These hours apply to all trails and parking lots. Cheatham Hill Parking Lot opens at 8:00 am

Getting there

Kennesaw Mountain NBP is fairly spread out with multiple parking lots. Many visitors begin their visit at the Visitor Center located at 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr. and orient themselves to the park with Ranger or Volunteer. For more detailed directions, please see link below.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• [Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor Center](): Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The Visitor Center at Kennesaw Mountain is open Monday - Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM except for major holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day)

Weather

Before you start your trip to the mountain, check the local weather forecast to be sure that you will have a dry time. Though we are located north of Atlanta, we're still have the same hot summers and mild winters as our neighbors. The mountain top generally ranges 8-10 degrees cooler than at the base. In fall and winter, be prepared with a light weight jacket on hand. After planning your activities, check back to see what the weather will have in store for your day.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Great Smoky Mountains, about 134 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.