Originally home to the Cherokee and their ancestors, white settlers began to move to the area in the mid 1800s following the discovery of gold in the North Georgia Mountains in the 1830’s and the subsequent forced removal of the Cherokee by way of the Trail of Tears.

As their territory was threatened, the Cherokee began adopting the cultural morés of white Americans. They lived in houses, had their own newspaper, 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. 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.” – National Park Service

NOTES: Visit the park’s website for updated lists of alerts and closures.

Dogs on leashes (no more than 6ft) are permitted in the park. Just be sure to pick up after your pup!

No public WIFI available

No lodging available

Bikes are only allowed on the roadways, not on interpretive trails

Alcohol is prohibited

You may bring your horses to ride on designated trails.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES:

According to the park, the visitor center is fully accessible including its auditorium and restrooms. Trails have remained natural and unaltered except for a paved trail at the top of the mountain with stairs at one end, steep grades and uneven portions.

The park’s shuttle bus is ADA accessible.

The road up to the top is steep, but paved.

An ADA parking spot is located at the top of the mountain with ramped access to a paved sidewalk leading to an overlook just a few yards away.

The park’s orientation film is captioned. Park officials request that anyone in need of additional accommodations prior to a park program, including a sign language interpreter, contact the visitor center 770-427-4686 x0 the day before the event so the necessary arrangements can be made.