Rocky Face Ridge

Crow Valley Road
Dalton, GA 30720

Rocky Face Ridge is a 1,000 acre park full of Civil War history, hiking trails, picnic pavilions, restroom facilities, state of the art mountain bike trails and some of the most beautiful views in Whitfield County! At the top of Rocky Face Ridge you can see south to Kennesaw Mountain, east to Fort Mountain and north to Lookout Mountain.


Slideshow



Buzzard's Roost Aerial View



For information regarding facility rentals, click here.

Batle History

On May 7th Major General William T. Sherman (US), commander of the US Military Division of the Mississippi, had just moved south through Ringgold Gap and established headquarters in the Clisby Austin House in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had entrenched his army of 54,500 men on the long, high mountain of Rocky Face Ridge and eastward across Crow Valley. As Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman approached, he decided to demonstrate against the position with two columns while he sent a third one through Snake Creek Gap, to the right, to hit the Western & Atlantic Railroad at Resaca. The two columns engaged the enemy at Buzzard Roost (Mill Creek Gap) and at Dug Gap. In the meantime, the third column, under Maj. Gen. James Birdseye McPherson, passed through Snake Creek Gap and on the 9th advanced to the outskirts of Resaca where it found Confederates entrenched. Fearing defeat, McPherson pulled his column back to Snake Creek Gap. On the 10th, Sherman decided to take most of his men and join McPherson to take Resaca. The next morning, Sherman' s army withdrew from in front of Rocky Face Ridge. Discovering Sherman's movement, Johnston retired south towards Resaca on the 12th

Park Sign


Park Amenities

  • Hiking trails
  • Mountain bike trail
  • Picnic pavilion
  • Restroom facilities

Indoor Walk


Trail Information

  • 8 mile bike trail
  • 5k running course
  • 3/4 miles of connecting hiking trails