View from the observation platform near the top of Kennesaw Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

The most popular attraction at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is the summit of Kennesaw Mountain. It is accessible both by vehicle and on foot. For those wanting to get to the top with as little effort as possible, Kennesaw Mountain Drive, the road to the top, is open on weekdays to private vehicles from 8:30 AM to 7 PM during daylight savings time (March through November ) and until 5 PM at other times of the year.

On the weekends, the road is closed to the public, and the only way to the top by vehicle is on the free shuttle bus operated by the National Park Service. The bus leaves every 30 minutes from the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor Center. Once dropped off at the top, you have 30 minutes until the next bus comes, which is plenty of time to see the Civil War-era cannons at the summit and to read the information on the wayside exhibits. The first bus leaves at 9:30 AM, and the last bus back to the Visitor Center is at 4:15 PM. No buses run between noon and 1 PM. If you miss the last bus, you can walk back along the road or hike down the mountain on the 1-mile Kennesaw Mountain Summit Trail. The bus does not operate on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and the day after Thanksgiving.

Despite the fact that you can drive or ride up Kennesaw Mountain, the parking lot is not at the summit. There used to be a nice view to the east towards Atlanta from the parking lot, but trees have grown up and blocked the view. At a minimum, to see anything you must be able to walk up a staircase to the adjacent observation deck. To get to the summit you must hike a short-but-steep paved path (five minute walk). If you are unable to tackle either of these, taking the bus to the top is not worth your time due to the wait to get back down. Driving yourself is worthwhile, for there are some nice views on the way up.