You Can See 7 States from This Georgia Mountain With Its Own Waterfall & Railway

Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Lookout Mountain straddles three states, but its best tricks are in Georgia. This is where you can see seven states from one spot, walk through America’s deepest cave system, and visit a 1930s tourist attraction complete with gnomes and black-light mini golf.

Add the real Civil War history, and you’ve got one of the best places to visit this side of Georgia.

Mostly In Georgia, But Touches Three States

Lookout Mountain runs 84 miles from Chattanooga to Gadsden, Alabama. Georgia has 31 miles of it, while Tennessee only has 3 miles and Alabama has 50. The highest point reaches 2,393 feet near High Point, Georgia.

It’s part of the Cumberland Plateau and sits separate from the main plateau because of the Tennessee River.

You Can Ride America’s Steepest Railway Up The Mountainside

Built in 1895, millions of people have ridden it to reach Lookout Mountain. The Incline Railway climbs at a super steep 72.7% grade in some spots, making it one of the steepest passenger trains anywhere. The one-mile trip takes about 10 minutes at just under 10 mph.

The tracks stretch 1,972 feet and climb 1,450 feet from bottom to top. Originally, steam powered the railway, but now it uses two 100-horsepower motors.

You Can Spot Seven States From One Viewing Platform

From the Seven States Flag Court at 1,700 feet above sea level on Lover’s Leap, you can supposedly see Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia.

This claim started during the Civil War when both a Union officer and a Confederate nurse wrote about it in their diaries. You’ll find flags for each state at the platform.

While scientists argue whether you can really see all seven states because of Earth’s curve, on clear days you can look over 100 miles into the distance.

A Waterfall Flows Inside The Mountain

Ruby Falls sits 260 feet inside Lookout Mountain. This underground waterfall is the tallest and deepest one open to visitors in the United States.

Leo Lambert found it by accident in 1928 while drilling for another cave and named it after his wife. The cave formed 300-360 million years ago when water with acid dissolved limestone rock, making passages through the mountain.

Inside, the temperature stays 60 degrees all year. Over 500,000 people visit annually, and during World War II, the cave served as a shelter.

You Can Walk Across A Swinging Bridge

Rock City’s Swing-A-Long Bridge hangs 180 feet across a deep gorge. It sways when you walk on it, giving you exciting views of Chattanooga Valley below.

This bridge is one of the most popular parts of the 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail, and takes you toward Lover’s Leap and the Seven States Flag Court.. If you don’t like all that swinging, you can use the stationary Stone Bridge instead.

The Fat Man’s Squeeze Section

This narrow passage forces you to turn sideways and squeeze between huge boulders. It runs about 10-15 feet before opening to a wider area.

Most adults can fit through, though larger visitors might struggle. There’s no official size limit, but people over 300 pounds have made it through successfully.

The walls stay wet year-round, which can make keeping your clothes clean tricky. If you don’t want to try it, other paths let you bypass the squeeze while still seeing all the main sights.

A Special Feature for Colorblind Visitors

At Ruby Falls, you’ll find a special color-blind viewfinder at the scenic overlook. This machine adjusts what you see to fix different types of color blindness. It lets colorblind visitors enjoy the bright fall leaves and views just like everyone else.

Installed in 2020, it’s one of just a few in the country. You’ll find it at the Blue Heron Overlook near the historic Ruby Falls Castle. This helpful technology helped Ruby Falls win a regional award for making their attraction accessible to more people in 2022.

You Can Walk Through Fairytales That Glow In The Dark

In Fairyland Caverns, you’ll see scenes from classic fairy tales lit up by black lights that make them glow magically. Garnet and Frieda Carter created these displays in the 1940s, leading to Mother Goose Village with nursery rhyme scenes.

The dark, narrow pathway needs careful walking but rewards you with fun, whimsical scenes. You can see 15 different fairy tale displays made by artist Jessie Sanders. The figures were originally made from plaster and painted with glow-in-the-dark paint.

Civil War Soldiers Really Did Fight Above The Clouds Here

The Battle of Lookout Mountain happened on November 24, 1863. A strange weather pattern created fog that came down from the mountain’s top and stopped halfway, making it look like the fighting took place above clouds.

Union soldiers led by General Joseph Hooker beat Confederate troops in this important battle. The fighting started at 8:00 AM and went until midnight.

Over 12,000 soldiers fought, with 1,238 casualties. Today, you can visit Point Park, a 10-acre memorial with a 33′ by 13′ battle painting created by James Walker, who saw the battle firsthand.

A Rockslide And Fire Shut Down The Railway Until 2025

On December 7, 2024, rocks sliding down Lookout Mountain started a fire that damaged the Incline Railway. It happened when freezing and thawing made boulders roll down, creating heat and sparks.

The falling rocks pushed a tree into a power line, making more sparks. The fire hurt the railway’s cables and structure, forcing it to close for repairs. The fire burned about 10 acres of the mountainside.

After big repair work by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the railway will open again in June 2025.

There’s a Hidden Heart And Throne

Inside Rock City’s Hall of the Mountain King Path, you’ll discover the Heart of the Mountain, a rock formation shaped like a heart. Nearby sits the Throne, another special formation where you can sit.

These natural features mix with art installations including the playful troll Ibsen and the magical Maloria. Artists created these additions in 2018 to enhance the natural rock formations.

The Hall of the Mountain King got its name from Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s famous music. This mix of nature and art creates a fantasy-like experience you won’t find at other natural attractions.

The Magnificent 100-Foot Waterfall

From Lover’s Leap, you’ll spot a 100-foot waterfall rushing down the mountain. This dramatic viewpoint sits near the Seven States Flag Court at 1,700 feet high.

Local legend says a Cherokee princess jumped from this spot after her father wouldn’t let her marry her beloved. The waterfall drops into a pool 1,120 feet below.

On nights with a full moon, you might see a rainbow in the mist from the falls. In 2019, workers made the viewing area bigger to fit more visitors.

Follow Gnome-Marked Paths

At Rock City, you’ll find four different colored paths marked by gnome statues that guide you along the 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail through natural rock gardens. Each path gives you different experiences, from tight passages to amazing views.

The gardens have over 400 native plant species labeled with help from the Chattanooga Audubon Society. Rock City first opened to visitors in May 1932. The famous ‘See Rock City’ ads began in 1935, with Clark Byers painting more than 900 barn roofs in 19 states by 1969.

Visiting Lookout Mountain

You’ll need about 2-3 hours each for Rock City and Ruby Falls, plus 1 hour for the Incline Railway.

Rock City opens daily at 8:30am and closes at different times depending on the season. They host special events year-round including Spring Blooms (March-May) and Enchanted Garden of Lights (November-January).

At Ruby Falls, it’s always 60°, so bring a light jacket and wear good shoes for the uneven paths. The Incline Railway opens again on June 2, 2025.

Each place needs its own ticket, costing $20-30 for adults and $10-20 for kids.