Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta on the Tennessee border, Lookout Mountain offers visitors waterfalls, rock formations and caves to explore and enjoy. Staff artist Dale E. Dodson visited sites ranging from Southern icons to the totally obscure and captured the scenes in watercolor and ink.

Dale E. Dodson/News Artist (ENLARGE)
The Natural Bridge is about 85 feet long and impressive, but the property is so overgrown it is difficult to get a good look at the formation.
Dale E. Dodson/News Artist (ENLARGE)
Mushroom Rock is just one of many unusual formations at Rock City.
Dale E. Dodson/News Art (ENLARGE)
Discovered by cave enthusiast Leo Lambert, Ruby Falls has been enchanting visitors since 1930.
Dale E. Dodson/News Artist (ENLARGE)
Glen Falls is a small, intimate waterfall and pool. The amount of water hitting the pool varies greatly depending on rainfall.
Dale E. Dodson/News Artist (ENLARGE)
Visitors can hike to the base of the Lula Falls — a steep and rocky trail — and get close enough to be buffeted by the spray crashing upon the rocks below.
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RELATED STORY See Rock City... and much more at Lookout Mountain

GLEN FALLS

A series of small waterfalls and shoals on national park land on the eastern face of Lookout Mountain.

• Location: From the base of the mountain, take Ochs Highway south. As you ascend, the parking area, which is minimal, will be on your left shortly after you pass Sanders Road.

• The hike: It's 0.4 miles to the falls. The trail begins as a gentle descent away from the highway and then hooks to the south and starts a meandering rise. Large cliffs to the right loom over the trail as you near the falls. The hike culminates at a wooden footbridge that crosses a small pool at the base of the main falls. Beyond the pool, stairs that are cut into the rock allow hikers to enter a small tunnel and venture above the falls, then across the shoals for alternate views.

• Sights and sounds: The traffic sounds from the highway never completely fade until you get to the falls. I practically tripped over a wild turkey and her chicks. There are abundant birds, butterflies and squirrels.

• Fees, rules and hours of operation: Open to foot traffic from sunrise until 8:30 p.m. Use of the park is free. Camping and fires are not allowed, and pets must be on a leash.

ROCK CITY

First opened to the public in 1932, it became famous for its ad campaign that saw the phrase "See Rock City" painted on barn roofs throughout the South. More than 400 species of indigenous plants are preserved, and the garden consists of unique rock formations with names such as the Grand Corridor, Needle's Eye and Fat Man's Squeeze.

• Location: From the base of the mountain, take Ochs Highway south. At the top of the mountain, turn left on Mockingbird Lane. The entrance to Rock City is on the left. There is plenty of free parking.

• The hike: The paved trail winds over, under and around the rock formations for about 0.8 miles.

• Sights and sounds: Think of a rock garden on steroids. An interesting mix of natural beauty wedded to human artistry, with a little bit of kitsch thrown in.

• Fees, rules and hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through the summer. $12.95; ages 3-12, $6.95; under 2, free. Information: 706-820-2531, www.seerockcity.com.

THE NATURAL BRIDGE

Almost forgotten, this rock formation atop Lookout Mountain was a popular tourist destination in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

• Location: This Lookout Mountain, Tenn., city park is at the southwest corner of the intersection of North Bragg Avenue and Sunset Road. From the base of the mountain, take Scenic Highway south. At the top of the mountain, Scenic Highway intersects North Bragg. Turn right and go two blocks. The entrance is on the left at a rock known as the Old Man of the Mountain. There is no parking at the park. Parking is available at Commons City Park; turn left on Sunset Road and go about 0.5 miles west.

• The hike: The trail starts in a westerly direction. After a few paces, turn left and descend the stone steps, then turn and head west again. The path is only a few hundred feet at most.

• Sights and sounds: The rock at the street really looks like the face of an old man.

• Fees, rules and hours of operation: Open sunrise to sundown. Admission is free. Picnicking is allowed. Smoking, fires and alcohol prohibited.

POINT PARK

The park has monuments and artillery batteries as well as an observatory, which offers a magnificent view of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga and surrounding mountains. The park is part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park commemorating the Civil War battle of Lookout Mountain. The entrance gate was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1905.

• Location: The northernmost promontory of Lookout Mountain. From the base of the mountain, take Scenic Highway south to the top of the mountain. Turn right on East Brow Road and continue north for about 1 mile. The park entrance is on the right. Metered parking is available on nearby streets; free parking is behind the visitors center.

• The hike: The paths are paved and wide. It is about 0.25 miles from the entrance to the observatory.

• Sights and sounds: Information boards at the observatory make it easy to find key historical sites as you peer down for breathtaking views of Lookout Creek and Moccasin Bend.

• Fees, rules and hours of operation: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. $3 ($1.50 with Golden Age pass for age 62 and older); groups of 15 or more, $2 per person; under 16, free.

RUBY FALLS

The cavern features fantastic stalagmites, stalactites and columns with exotic names such as Cactus and Candle, Onyx Column and Frozen Niagara. The highlight of the guided tour is the 145-foot underground waterfall.

• Location: On Scenic Highway at the northern end of Lookout Mountain. From the base of the mountain, take Scenic Highway south up the mountain about 1.5 miles, and the entrance is on the right.

• The hike: An elevator takes visitors down about 260 feet to the cave floor. The tour is about one mile round trip, and the walkway is paved. Some areas are damp, and hand rails are provided. The tour takes 60 to 90 minutes, and tours begin every 15 to 20 minutes.

• Sights and sounds: Many unique rock formations.

• Fees, rules and hours of operation: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. $12.95; ages 3-12, $5.95; 2 and under, free. Information: www.rubyfalls.com.

LULA LAKE AND FALLS

The Lula Lake Land Trust protects several thousand acres. The main attraction is a beautiful small lake and a spectacular waterfall formed on Rock Creek. A rushing cascade of white water splashes downward to form Lula Lake. Beyond the lake, the water twists and turns around boulders and over shoals until Lula Falls plunges about 100 feet into the gorge.

• Location: From the base of the mountain, take Ochs Highway south. At the top of the mountain, continue west until Lula Lake Road. Turn left and proceed for 4.5 miles. Enter the second, or south, gate on the left. Follow the signs to parking.

• The hike: The primary trail, an old railroad bed, is gravel; it is 0.75 miles from the parking area to the falls. Side trails lead to the lake and the base of the falls as well as to an overlook that affords a breathtaking view of the falls. These paths are steep and should be negotiated with caution.

• Sights and sounds: An enormous pileated woodpecker flew through the woods. The landscape was rife with rhododendron and mountain laurel, and several varieties of ferns were in abundance.

• Fees, rules and hours of operation: Open on the first and last Saturday of each month. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. No swimming or rock climbing. Information: 423-821-2424, www.lulalake.org.