Discover areas of natural beauty, participate in exciting outdoor pursuits and learn about local Civil War history in this small, southern city.
The town of Trenton and the surrounding area promise ample opportunity for outdoor fun as well as easy access to historic Civil War sites. Try hang gliding off a mountain, explore caves and canyons and visit battlefields where pivotal Civil War engagements took place.
Delve into Civil War history at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. During 1863, this area was the stage for some of the war’s most hard-fought battles. Both sides were seeking control of Chattanooga, a strategic gateway into the Confederate heartland. The troops of the Confederacy ultimately lost and were pushed south into Georgia.
Take a ranger-led tour to find out more about the battles. Follow the self-guided battlefield trail maps and discover exhibits, including an orientation film, in the park’s visitor centers. The park also features the Ochs Museum, with fascinating photographic exhibits from the Civil War era.
Not far from the park is Lookout Mountain, one of the most popular daytrip destinations in the region. Brave the swaying Swing-A-Long Bridge, conquer the climbing wall near Lover’s Leap at Rock City and admire the scenic cascade at Ruby Falls near Chattanooga. This underground cave waterfall measures 145 feet (44 meters) and can be seen as part of a guided tour of the caverns. Don’t leave Lookout Mountain without riding the Incline Railway, which has been running since 1895 and has grades up to 72.7 percent.
For breathtaking nature, head to Cloudland Canyon State Park. Tackle hiking and mountain biking trails or fish, ride horseback or play disc golf. Admire scenic views of waterfalls, woodlands and deep canyons. Caving trips are also offered here.
Trenton is compact, with a small-town feel. Walk around the town comfortably or rent a car to access nearby attractions. Trenton is part of the six-county Chattanooga metropolitan area, straddling the border with neighboring Tennessee. Find Trenton in Georgia’s northwest corner, near the border with Tennessee and Alabama. The nearest airport is in Chattanooga, about a 40-minute drive away.
