Preserved Civil War battlefield featuring historic structures, walking trails, interpretive exhibits, monuments, and extensive grounds commemorating the largest battle fought in North Carolina.
Closed Sunday, Monday, and designated state holidays
Guided tour fees:
Adults (18–64): $5
Seniors (65+) and Military: $4
Youth (3–17): $1
Children (0–2): Free
How to Get There
From Smithfield, NC (18 mi): Take US-70 east toward Four Oaks, follow local roads to Harper House Road, and continue directly to the battlefield visitor center and historic grounds.
Overview
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site preserves the scene of the Battle of Bentonville, fought from March 19 to March 21, 1865, the largest battle ever fought in North Carolina and the last major Confederate offensive of the Civil War. Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston attempted to halt Union General William T. Sherman's advance through the Carolinas, resulting in a fierce three-day struggle across farms, forests, and fields in rural Johnston County. Today, visitors can explore one of the nation's most extensively preserved Civil War battlefields, where interpretive exhibits, walking trails, monuments, and historic landscapes help tell the story of this pivotal engagement during the final weeks of the war.
The site includes the restored Harper House, which served as a field hospital during the battle, along with reconstructed outbuildings and a visitor center featuring artifacts, maps, and a multimedia presentation. More than six miles of walking trails and a self-guided driving tour allow visitors to trace troop movements and visit important battlefield locations, including cemeteries, earthworks, and memorials. The peaceful countryside setting provides a powerful contrast to the intense fighting that once occurred here, making Bentonville one of the most significant and rewarding Civil War destinations in the American South.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
