Preserved Civil War battlefield featuring historic landscapes, interpretive exhibits, a scenic driving tour, walking trails, and sites connected to one of the most significant battles fought west of the Mississippi River.
General Information
Park grounds and tour road: Daily, 6:00am to sunset
Visitor Center closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays from mid-November through early March
How to Get There
From Rogers (12 mi): Take US-62 east toward Garfield and continue to National Park Drive, following signs to the military park entrance.
Overview
Pea Ridge National Military Park is located in northwest Arkansas near the Missouri border and protects the site of the Battle of Pea Ridge, fought March 7 and 8, 1862. The battle was a victory for the Union, and helped it gain control of the crucial border state of Missouri.
The park is acknowledged as one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields. The park features a visitor center and museum, a driving tour, the restored battlefields, hiking trails, a portion of the pre-war Old Telegraph/Wire Road, approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of the Trail of Tears as followed by some members of the Cherokee Nation, and the restored Elkhorn Tavern, which was the epicenter of much of the battle.
Things to Do
Drive the Battlefield Tour Road
Pea Ridge National Military Park preserves the site of the Battle of Pea Ridge, fought March 7–8, 1862, one of the most important Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River. Visitors can follow the park's tour road to explore key battle locations, artillery positions, monuments, and interpretive stops that explain the events and significance of the battle.
Visit the Visitor Center and Museum
The visitor center features exhibits, artifacts, maps, and a film that detail the battle, military strategy, and the soldiers who fought at Pea Ridge. Educational displays provide insight into the role the battle played in securing Union control of Missouri.
Explore Elkhorn Tavern
Elkhorn Tavern served as a focal point during the battle and remains one of the park's most significant historic landmarks. Visitors can tour the restored structure and learn about its role during the fighting and its place in Ozark history.
Top Trails
North Rim Trail
Length: Approximately 3.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Approximately 300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This scenic trail traverses portions of the battlefield while providing views of wooded ridges, historic battle sites, and interpretive markers that explain troop movements and battlefield events.
Big Mountain Trail
Length: Approximately 1.5 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Approximately 200 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
The trail passes through areas where significant fighting occurred and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the battlefield landscape while learning about the soldiers who fought there.
Sources: National Park Service official Pea Ridge National Military Park information, including battlefield history, visitor center exhibits, Elkhorn Tavern, driving tour, hiking trails, and visitor resources. nps.gov/peri/index.htm Additional battlefield, trail, and visitor information verified through National Park Service maps, hiking resources, and interpretive guides. nps.gov/peri/planyourvisit/index.htm nps.gov/peri/planyourvisit/hiking.htm This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Pea Ridge National Military Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
