Chattanooga, TN
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
4.4· 9,846 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-15- TypeDaily round-trip funicular rides between St. Elmo and the summit of Lookout Mountain
- LocationChattanooga, TN
- Rating4.4 ★9,846 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Aug 15
About Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is an approximately one-mile counterbalanced funicular between St. Elmo and the summit of Lookout Mountain. Each enclosed car makes the trip in about 10 minutes, with cars leaving both stations roughly every 20 minutes and passing at the midpoint loop. Visitors may board at either station, but the lower St. Elmo station has the larger paid lot while the summit has metered street parking. The current cars were installed in 2020 with more windows, heating, lighting, cameras, and space for manual and electric wheelchairs. Point Park is a short independent walk from the upper station; Rock City and Ruby Falls are not served by the Incline and require separate road travel.
Ride the Grade, Then Walk to Point Park
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders, drivers, bus and RV groups, and visitors combining the ride with Point Park
Choose the boarding station
Use St. Elmo for the larger paid lot or the summit for metered street parking and the shortest walk to Point Park.
Weekend visitors, families, fixed-itinerary travelers, and anyone visiting near closing
Reserve a limited-capacity time
Buy online when the time matters; tickets are non-refundable but remain valid for one year and can be adjusted to availability.
Wheelchair users, caregivers, and travelers who need precise station-route information
Plan wheelchair boarding
The current cars permit manual and electric wheelchairs; call ahead for device fit, assistance, station access, and boarding specifics.
History travelers, overlook seekers, families, and visitors building a half-day summit plan
Walk to Point Park
From the upper station, treat Point Park as a separate NPS visit with its own $10 adult fee, hours, paths, and access limits.
Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026 special-event calendar
The official current ride page publishes daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. operation only through Sept. 7, 2026, with the last car 40 minutes before close. Every remaining date in that published window is enumerated. No post-Sept. 7 schedule is currently published, so the calendar intentionally makes no later-date inference. The older early-summer block on the ticketing FAQ is superseded by the current ride page. Recheck hours, capacity, maintenance, weather, and notices during the synchronized freshness sweep. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingLower lot: $3 up to three hours or $5 over three hours; buses and RVs park free; summit street meters are enforced daily
- AccessibilityThe current car design permits manual and electric wheelchairs; contact the operator about device dimensions, boarding assistance, and station route
- RideAbout 10 minutes each direction on an approximately one-mile counterbalanced funicular
- DeparturesCars leave both stations about every 20 minutes; capacity is limited and popular times can sell out
- Current HoursDaily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. through Sept. 7, 2026; last car leaves 40 minutes before close
- Fare$24.99 adult or senior; $12.99 child age 3-12; ages 2 and under free with a paying passenger; holiday rates may apply
- BoardingBoard from either St. Elmo lower station or Lookout Mountain upper station; tickets are sold online or at either station
- ClimateCars are enclosed and heated but not air-conditioned; windows provide ventilation
- AnimalsPets are not allowed; the official FAQ permits registered service animals
- Ticket TermsTickets are non-refundable, valid for one year, and can be moved to another available date or time
- SummitObservation deck, snack bar, dining area, gift shop, history displays, engine room, and a short walk to Point Park
- SecurityPeople, backpacks, and bags may be inspected before entry
Find the Depot
The Trains
Two enclosed passenger cars counterbalance one another on the single-track line and separate at the midpoint passing loop. The operator says each car carries 42 people, travels just under 10 mph, and remains attached to the track throughout the trip. A new pair installed in March 2020 added larger windows, wheelchair access, heating, lighting, and onboard security cameras. The cars are not air-conditioned. Earlier red-and-cream cars in historical photographs are no longer the current equipment and should not be used to promise a specific appearance.
History
The first incline railway opened from St. Elmo toward the Point.
John Crass's second incline opened on November 16; this is the surviving route.
The original 1887 incline closed after the second line proved more successful.
Electric power replaced the original coal-fired steam machinery.
A fire destroyed the upper station and one car, forcing a two-year rebuilding closure.
The railway received federal historic-site recognition described by the operator.
ASME recognized the railway as its 100th National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.
A $4 million pair of accessible, window-rich cars entered service.
A December wildfire severely damaged the historic railway.
CARTA restored and reopened the Incline after the fire closure.
See full history
The first incline up Lookout Mountain opened in 1887 but closed in 1899 after the success of a second line engineered by John Crass. That second railway opened November 16, 1895 and is the line operating today. The earliest cars were wooden and steam-powered; electric power arrived after 1911. An accidental 1919 fire destroyed the upper station and a car, closing the line for two years. The railway later received federal historic recognition and became the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' 100th National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. CARTA installed a $4 million pair of cars in 2020. A wildfire caused by extraordinary natural events damaged the railway in December 2024, and the operator now presents the restored line as reopened and running daily.
Around the Depot
Point Park ranks first because the Incline delivers riders to within a short walk of the independent National Park Service battlefield site at the summit. The International Towing Museum ranks second as an unusual industrial-history museum about six-tenths of a mile from the lower station. Distances use the station that makes each connection practical, and neither place is operated by the Incline Railway.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Compare the attraction location with your airport or lodging before deciding whether a rental car fits the trip.
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Tours & Activities near Chattanooga
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Incline Railway ride?
About 10 minutes in each direction. The operator recommends allowing at least an hour for the full round trip and station stops.
How often do cars leave?
The official FAQ says cars leave both stations about every 20 minutes, but capacity and operating conditions can affect a selected time.
Can I board at either station?
Yes. Tickets are sold online and at both the lower St. Elmo and upper Lookout Mountain stations.
Is the Incline wheelchair-accessible?
The current car design permits manual and electric wheelchairs. Contact the operator before travel for device dimensions, boarding help, and the most suitable station route.
Is the car air-conditioned?
No. The cars are enclosed and heated, but the official FAQ says they are not air-conditioned and use opening windows for ventilation.
Where should I park?
The lower station has a paid lot; the summit uses metered street parking enforced daily. Buses and RVs park free at the lower station.
Does the train go to Rock City or Ruby Falls?
No. Both attractions are several miles away by road and require separate transportation.
Can I bring a pet?
Pets are not allowed. The operator's FAQ permits registered service animals; contact the railway for current handling procedures.
What happens if I need to change my ticket?
Tickets are non-refundable, valid for one year, and can be adjusted to another available date or time through the ticket account.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 15, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage for current daily departures, operating status, one-mile line, station addresses, and 2024 fire context
- Official ride page for current fares, wheelchair statement, group rates, annual passes, last-car rule, and hours through Sept. 7
- Official FAQ for ride length, frequency, capacity, grade, parking, station choice, climate, pets, and summit facilities
- Official ticketing FAQ for non-refundability, one-year validity, date changes, sellouts, and ticket support
- Official history page for opening dates, power, fire, landmark status, and 2020 cars
- Official contact page for both station addresses, phone, and group contact path
- CARTA official site identifying the public transportation authority operating the Incline
- Exact current-car summit image under CC BY 4.0