Rock City, Lookout Mountain

We visited Rock City on Lookout Mountain on July 3, 2025, and let me tell you, I highly recommend this privately owned park for those young and old alike! There was a gnome theme when we visited. I wonder if they change themes.

This is the entrance. There are a lot of visitors here and I often prefer to stay away from crowds, but this in an exception.

The map was a little deceiving, although it was fun as well. There are different areas of the park, the Grand Corridor Trail, the Bridges Trail, the Hall of Mountain King Trail, and Fairyland Caverns Trail, but really, it is just one big long trail! You do not need to look at the map and choose where to go because it naturally moves from one trail to the next. In fact, I do not think there are shortcuts to get back to the previous trails.

You begin with the Grand Corridor trail and it is fun to read the names of the things you will be seeing, as in the Needle's Eye, Stone Vista Garden, and Legacy Lane Access.

There is a waterfall at the beginning and you see it again at the end to know that you have made it.

I am more about natural elements than man-made elements, but the people who put this park together did a nice job at combining both to make the spaces special and entertaining.

There are signs from time to time which are fun to read.

See! The scenic views with each step keep you taking steps.

The sunlight was shining on the artwork which was fun. The bridge overhead is later walked over, so the space is used well as this happens often where they utilize height to make you feel like you are someplace new, but you are actually still in the same place.

 

This section was educational about the founders of Rock City, Garnet and Frieda Carter, who began the gardens on their private estate. Read the image above to learn more.

Looking at these photos makes me want to go back again and spend a whole day there. Watch the above video that shares about the place better than the photos.

Each "trail" started with a door like this one. I believe that is how we knew we were moving on to the next trail theme.

There was lighting and sound effects everywhere that enhanced the experience.

I like the curving in the stone walls here. The builder really hand built each area to perfection.

There are two bridges and you choose which one you want to do. For those that can handle it, the swing-a-long bridge is awesome! That is the way we went. For those that need more stability and grounding, take the stone bridge.

The swing-a-long bridge had fun streamers blowing the in wind. Everything is unique and unexpected. I loved this place!

Then there are the views! Wow! Some sections of the trail had above-and-beyond views.

There is a waterfall and you get a view of it from many different locations. It is kind of amazing how the trail meanders and reveals the waterfall time and again. Here it is under the stone arch just ahead, and when you walk over it, you get a view from above.

This is the view of the waterfall from above.

This is a popular place in that tourist want to stand where they can see seven states, that being Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, and the miles to each are listed.

I handed my phone to a stranger and she took our photo as my goal in 2025 to try to get in front of the camera more.

I loved finding the red doorways.

I want one of these doors in my garden! Ah!

Fat Man's Squeeze started out wider and then put on the squeeze.

In the far distance down the walk in this photo is another view of the waterfall.

There is the platform to photograph oneself with the waterfall.

There we are with the waterfall! The people standing above the waterfall on the ledge are standing where you can see seven states from one place, which means you can probably see it from this point too. Up there it is called "lovers leap."

The lady who took our photo zoomed in and actually got a great photo of us. I liked this one.

 

I believe this is the beginning of the fairyland caverns trail.

This entrance actually takes you underground into a natural cave area.

In window areas are fairytale dioramas that are a work of art.

 

I took a photo of our shadow that made me smile.

One room had a huge long table that you walk around with innumerable dioramas of every fairytale you can think of and more. I did not take many photos, but I had to have one of Little Miss Muffet because our little Miss Tizzy (Toy Fox Terrier dog) is posh and we laugh because she is always sitting on her tuffet.

Rub-a-dub-dub! Three men in a tub! It was moving. There are some amazing artists who put all of these together.

This let us know we were at the end!