About six miles from downtown Chattanooga, a road seems to wind around and up to reach the sky. Whether it is your first visit or an annual outing, the anticipation builds around every turn until you spot a tiny man in a red cap, whose welcoming smile announces your destination. Stepping through the red doors opens a magical world of adventure. For 94 years, generations have rambled over, under, around, and through the massive boulders and viewed its sweeping vistas; today’s Rock City allows visitors to experience the national treasure with fresh eyes.
Though it is true Rock City is never the same place twice, you can bet that no matter how many times you’ve visited, this time will be unique. In a new twist (actually a twist as old as the rocks themselves!), you’ll find guides who have called the mountain home for millennia playing host to a new generation, guiding adventurers along the 4,100 feet of walking trails, rock formations, caves, and lush gardens. Why gnomes, and why now?
Gnomes have always hidden in nooks and crannies and frolicked amidst the mountain’s twists and turns, but the bashful fairies who know the mountain best have stepped up to show you around. For Rock City’s 90th Anniversary, you’ll find them leading visitors on an exploration of The Enchanted Trail’s iconic views, swinging bridges, and natural wonders. Celebrating the colors, sights, and sounds of each new season, you will encounter these whimsical, mischievous, and magical gnomes in some of their favorite natural habitats.
Meet the gnomes who have called this mountain home since it was a mere magical molehill:
• Fable, The Storyteller, is often found spinning her tales in the Rock City Gathering Center, where she spins her tales for visitors.
• Nimble, The Adventurer, is a fearless free spirit who loves to explore the Bridges Trail.
• Edvard, the Soundcrafter, often delivers the melodies of earthsongs in the Hall of the Mountain Hill Trail.
• Bergman, the Miner gnome, has a deep appreciation for nature’s treasures and keeps a close watch on the rocks and minerals of the Fairyland Caverns Trail.
• Leif, the Soilsmith, the gnome with superb gardening skills, can usually be found amidst the bees and butterflies of the Grand Corridor Trail, where his projects reflect his special relationship with the earth.
There is so much to see, so take your time exploring the ancient formations that create a unique gallery for The Hall of the Mountain King’s art installations, lighting effects, and life-like sculptures. Hold your breath and suck in your stomach for the narrow passage of Fat Man’s Squeeze. It’s a tight fit, but don’t worry, no one has ever been stuck! And don’t be surprised if you challenge your memory for the words of ageless rhymes as you walk among the iconic hand-painted characters found in Fairyland Caverns’ Mother Goose Village.
Experience the tranquility of The Standing Stones Garden, where nature’s unique stone and native greenery designs offer a sense of peace and rest. Walk through the multicolored magic of stained-glass windows forming a kaleidoscope in the corridor of Rainbow Hall. Add a touch of romance to your adventure with a visit to the iconic Lover’s Leap. Long known as a perfect place for a proposal or other romantic gesture, we’re pretty sure that with this view providing a backdrop and perhaps a little magic, the answer is always “Yes!”
You may find yourself ducking under the precariously perched Balanced Rock, while marveling at the ingenuity of nature’s architecture. If you’re feeling daring, step onto the swinging and swaying suspended bridge spanning the valley far, far below. There is no shame in your heart racing and breaking out in a sweat. It’s perfectly safe, but if your heart isn’t in it, take the alternate Stone Bridge route.
You’re likely already dazzled by the wonders of nature, but none will make you more aware of the vastness of the world around you than the lookout of the Seven States Flag Court. As its name promises, seven states dot the horizon of the unparalleled view. Framed by the flags of each state, the Flag Court is a panoramic salute to the American landscape and the entrepreneurial spirit embodied by its founders. Sometimes, to truly appreciate the gift of the present, we must look back at how it came to be. To help us understand the spirit and vision that created this amazing place, and explain its link to tiny magical creatures, we call on Public Relations Manager Pepper Raper’s encyclopedic knowledge of Rock City’s history for a glimpse into its past.
In 1924, Garnet Carter and his German-born wife, Frieda, launched a residential golf community called Fairyland atop Lookout Mountain, reflecting Frieda’s love of European folklore. When construction delays stalled the golf course, Carter innovated with the nation’s first miniature golf course, later franchised as Tom Thumb Miniature Golf.
Pepper explains that on the 700-acre property, Frieda marked trails among the rocks and created interconnected gardens called Rock City Gardens, transplanting wildflowers and native plants. She placed imported German statues of gnomes and fairytale figures along the way. The gardens drew so many visitors that her entrepreneurial husband spotted an opportunity: despite its remote site, Rock City could be a successful tourist attraction.
But how in the world would they spread the word of the remote attraction in 1932? That question led to a brilliant and unique idea. Carter hired a young sign painter to travel highways as far west as Texas and as far north as Michigan. His job was to turn rural barns into billboards with three words: SEE ROCK CITY. The idea worked far better than expected, and today, simple white letters on a black-roofed red barn still evoke memories for those who first viewed them through the car window.
Over half a million annual visitors attest to the Carters’ vision, making Rock City one of the most popular natural attractions in the nation. “Carter’s marketing idea is still effective,” Pepper says with a laugh. “Replicas of the iconic red barn hang as birdhouses on branches all across the nation.” The company refuses to rest on its laurels. The 4th-generation owner, who grew up with Rock City in his backyard, began his career at age 14 as Rocky the Elf, and his commitment to the mountain runs deep.
Over the years, Doug Chapin, the President and CEO of Rock City Enterprises and the great-great-nephew of the founders, Garnet and Frieda Carter, has continued to embody their mission to Create Memories Worth Repeating. Since childhood, Chapin has watched the Gardens evolve, including the planting, care, and conservation of over 400 species of his Great-great Aunt Frieda’s beloved native plants and trees. His leadership has inspired annual events that create new memories and long-lasting traditions.
New shops, where “See Rock City” birdhouses fly off the shelves, and restaurants and coffee houses provide spots to take a rest, have a delicious bite to eat, and take home a souvenir to remember the day.
As Rock City continues to evolve, even the usually shy gnomes are experiencing a renaissance. Today, Garnet and Frieda Carter’s invitation stands as sincere as ever, and the gnomes tip their tiny hats in the hope that you will come and See Rock City.
Chattanooga Travel Inspiration Magazine
A version of this story was previously published in the 2026 edition of our Travel Inspiration Magazine.
