When heading toward Chattanooga, TN on I-75, you’ll see signs urging you to visit Ruby Falls and Rock City at least half an hour before you get to the exits. Both Ruby Falls and Rock City are two parts of the trifecta of tourist’s attractions centered around Lookout Mountain. The third attraction is “America's Most Amazing mile,” a ride up Lookout Mountain itself.
Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain covers the northwest corner of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama and along the Tennessee state line in Chattanooga. The "Last Battle of the Cherokees" during the Nickajack Expedition in the 18th century and the Battle of Lookout Mountain during the American Civil War took place on this mountain. Nowadays, the mountain is known for its breathtaking views and is a major tourist attraction for those visiting Chattanooga and North Georgia. The suggested itinerary for the area is to see Ruby Falls, head to Rock City Gardens and finish your trip with a ride up the Incline Railway.
Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. “The Ruby Falls history and story of discovery is quite romantic,” says Missy Montgomery, Digital Media & Public Relations Coordinator at Ruby Falls. In 1928 Leo Lambert discovered the falls after he and a team of excavators found a breathtaking waterfall deep within Lookout Mountain. Lambert, a chemist and cave enthusiast, was trying to find another entrance into the Lookout Mountain Cave after its natural entrance was closed during construction. His plan was to drill an elevator shaft from another point on the mountain in order to access the cave. As he and his crew dug their way down Lookout Mountain, they discovered a 145-foot high waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath the mountain. “After bringing this wife, Ruby, down in the cave to see the falls for herself,” says Missy, “Leo named the waterfall, Ruby Falls, in her honor.”
Each year Ruby Falls welcomes over half a million visitors each year from around the world. “We are so pleased to have explorers from every state and country come tour the falls and discover why this unique destination has been one of the best things to do in Tennessee for over 89 years!” says Montgomery. The Ruby Falls cavern is a consistent 60 degrees, making it a comfortable temperature for the summer and winter seasons. Montgomery says, “Rain or shine, the cavern is the perfect escape to explore the ancient formations.”
The tour is an hour long and during the summer and holidays, tours sell out quickly. Missy encourages purchasing tickets online and to check in early. On the guided tour, you will see lovely cave formations with charming names like elephant’s foot, tobacco leaves and steak and potatoes. Of course, the grand finale is the waterfall itself.
Rock City's Lovers Leap and waterfall at Lookout Mountain from afar [Photo/Rock City]
Rock City
Located six miles from downtown Chattanooga, is the lovely Rock City Gardens. The gardens feature massive ancient rock formations, over 400 native plant species and breathtaking panoramic views. So, why is it called Rock City? Meagan Jolley, Public Relations Manager of Rock City Gardens says, “in 1823 that two missionaries, Daniel S. Butrick and William Chamberlain, arrived in the area to minister to the Indians and discovered ‘a citadel of rocks’ atop the mountain.” The immense boulders were arranged in such a way look like streets and lanes. As the Civil War reached Lookout Mountain, the area was commonly referred to as “the Rock City.”
Rock City is full of activities for nature lovers. It sits at 1,700 feet above sea level and has a 100-foot waterfall that cascades down the mountain. For the daring, there’s famous Swing-A-Long bridge that spans nearly 200 feet. Take a self-guided tour along the brow of Lookout Mountain for a birds-eye view from high atop Lookout Mountain or test your climbing skills at Lover's Leap where you can "See Seven States."
“Over half a million visitors come to Rock City annually – and a much larger percentage are from out of town. Roughly 20% are local to the area,” says Meagan. The garden is open year-round and features seasonal events. Meagan says that some of the favorites are the blooming gardens in the spring and fall foliage during autumn. “While the Enchanted Garden of Lights during the holidays is our most attended event,” says Meagan, “our Irish festival Shamrock City and German festival Rocktoberfest are also popular!”
Incline Railway
The last of the Lookout Mountain trio is a ride up the mountain itself. The Incline Railway, also known as "America's Most Amazing Mile," is the world's steepest passenger railway. It’s been operation since 1895 and the Incline is a National Historic site and Mechanical Engineering Landmark.
The trolley-style cars ride up a one-mile single mile track system and are powered by two 100 horsepower winches, allowing both counter-balanced trains to operate at one time. The ride up Lookout Mountain takes about twenty minutes and is at a breathtaking 72.7% grade straight up! You’ll see amazing views of the mountains and valleys from the observation windows on the train. Once you get to the top, head to the observation tower to see panoramic views of mountains and Chattanooga. Just a few blocks from the station is historic Point Park Battlefield, the site of the Civil War battle commonly referred to as "The Battle Above the Clouds."
During the summer and holidays there can be a long wait to ride the trains. Tickets are available for pre-purchase online.
Where to Stay
Holiday Travel Park in Chattanooga features well-shaded, grassy tent sites and back in sites that can accommodate pop-up vans, camper vans and small RV’s.
Lookout Mountain/Chattanooga West KOA offers full hookups, newly renovated bath houses and salt water swimming pool. The RV resort and campground is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from Chattanooga in Trenton, GA.
Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, GA is also nearby and offers RV camping with partial hookups, cabins and tent camping. The park is also a wonderful place to hike and explore waterfalls.