Pea Ridge
National Military Park

Pea Ridge National Military Park is a 4,300 acre Civil War Battlefield that preserves the site of the March 1862 battle that saved Missouri for the Union. On March 7 & 8, nearly 26,000 soldiers fought to determine whether Missouri would remain under Union control, and whether or not Federal armies could continue their offensive south through the Mississippi River Valley. Major General Earl Van Dorn led 16,000 Confederates against 10,250 Union soldiers, under the command of Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis. Van Dorn's command consisted of regular Confederate troops commanded by Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch, and Missouri State Guard Forces commanded by Major General Sterling Price. The Confederate force also included some 800 Cherokee Indians fighting for the Confederacy. The Union army consisted of men from Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. Half of these Federals were German immigrants recruited near St. Louis. The park also includes a two and one half mile segment of the Trail of Tears. The Elkhorn Tavern, site of bitter fighting on both days, is a NPS reconstruction on the site of the original. The park represents what might be the most well preserved Civil War battlefield in the United States. Total acreage is 4,300.35 (4,278.75 is federal, and 21.60 is non-federal).

Get a Park Brochure Online!
Battle Participants
Pea Ridge General Management Plan

Special Events

MAILING ADDRESS:

Pea Ridge National Military Park
P.O. Box 700
Pea Ridge, AR 72751
E-MAIL: PERI Interpretation@nps.gov

 

TELEPHONE:

Phone:(501) 451-8122, Fax:(501) 451-8635, TDD:(501) 451-0344

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year round. The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The seven mile tour road is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The park is subject to closure during snowy or icy conditions.

CLIMATE:

The park is situated in Benton County, in extreme northwestern Arkansas. Winters are generally mild with average low temperatures around 35 degrees. Occasional fronts may cause extremes in low temperatures, with heavy precipitation. Summers are generally hot and humid with average highs in the 90 degree range. Fall and spring are comparable transition seasons with very comfortable temperatures and abundant precipitation. Sudden thunderstorms, lightning, hail and tornado conditions are prevalent during spring and summer weather patterns.

 

DIRECTIONS:

The park is 80 miles southwest of Springfield, MO. Take US 60 to Monett, MO, then south on MO 37 to Gateway, AR. Go west to the park, on US 62. The park is 90 miles northeast of Fort Smith, AR. Take I-44 east to I-540. Go north to Fayetteville, AR and US 71. Follow US 71 to US 62 east, then to the park. The park is 120 miles east of Tulsa, OK. Take the Cherokee Turnpike to US 412 to Siloam Springs and Springdale, AR. Take US 71 to US 62 east, then to the park.

 

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

The park charges a recreational fee for all park facilities. The charge is $2.00 per adult, ages 17-61, or $4.00 maximum charge per car. Golden Age, Golden Access or Golden Eagle Passports bear the permittee and anyone accompanying them in a non-commercial vehicle into the park, free of charge. All park passports are available for sale. Commercial tours and buses must make reservations ahead of time, and are subject to additional user fees based on bus passenger capacity.

 

FACILITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits/EASTERN NATIONAL BOOKSTORE:

The park headquarters also has a visitor center and museum. It is located on US 62, and functions as the entrance to the park. Visitors may obtain information here or at the park entrance station, located just off the highway in front of the visitor center. In addition to the museum, the visitor center features a 12-minute slide presentation on events leading up to, through, and after the battle.

Trails, Roads:

The park features an eleven mile equestrian trail, and a ten mile hiking trail. The self-guiding auto tour consists of a seven mile paved tour road with ten stops. It helps to explain the course of the battle.

 

Programs/Activities/Special Events:

Remembrance activities are scheduled on weekends nearest the anniversary of the battle, on Memorial Day, and Veteran's Day. Currently, the park conducts summer programs and talks on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. The Elkhorn Tavern, a reconstructed wartime structure is open for tours from Memorial Day until the third week in October.

 

Lodging and camping facilities:

There are no facilities in the park. Camping may be found at Beaver Lake, which is administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers, six miles away. Lodging is available in Rogers, nine miles to the south or Eureka Springs, twenty-five miles to the east. There are nearby restaurants. Supplies may be found in Rogers, Pea Ridge, Garfield or Eureka Springs.

 

Accessibility:

The visitor center and tour road are handicap accessible. Some assistance may be needed in the rest rooms. The Elkhorn Tavern and trails are not handicap accessible.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

The visitor center serves as point of entry into the park. The museum and slide presentation are designed to provide background and orientation to the story of the battle. It is recommended that the visitor see these exhibits before beginning the tour. The drive through the battlefield and its ten stops are designed to provide information relative to battle action and significant features in each area of the park. The hiking trail is a pleasurable day hike. This trail takes the hiker into the more natural areas of the park, and is not designed to give significance to the battle. The horse trail is a rugged ride into the back country. It too is designed for recreation and lacks historical markings. The park is an excellent place for viewing wildlife, especially white tailed deer and wild turkey. The fauna of the spring and the hardwood colors of the fall are also a pleasurable sight. The park has a picnic area near the visitor center. All park facilities require payment of the entrance fee at the visitor center. Recreational sports such as football, volleyball, roller blading, skateboarding and kite flying are prohibited. Hunting and trapping are prohibited in the park.

 

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

School groups, large groups and tours need to make reservations at least two weeks prior to their visit. All commercial tours must make arrangements in advance, as to arrival, departure, fees and numbers. Talks or guided tours to groups must be reserved in advance, and are subject to the availability of staff.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

The park sponsors living history demonstrations and educational presentations. Special programs are usually held on weekends throughout the summer. The Rogers Chamber of Commerce has information available on area attractions at (501) 636-1240.

 

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Nearby Beaver Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers) afford visitors camping, boating, fishing, skiing and swimming.

Other National Parks nearby include:

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield-Republic, MO (1 1/2 hours)

Fort Scott National Historic Site-Fort Scott, KS (3 hours)

George Washington Carver National Historic Site-Diamond, MO (1 hour, 15 minutes)

Fort Smith National Historic Site-Fort Smith, AR (1 1/2 hours)

Hot Springs National Park-Hot Springs NP, AR (3 1/2 hours)

Arkansas Post National Memorial-Gillett, AR (4 1/2 hours)

Buffalo National River-Harrison, AR (1 1/2 hours)

 

Nearby, there are other important state parks related to the Civil War. They include Prairie Grove State Battlefield Park, southwest of Fayetteville (1 hour 15 minutes). Poison Springs, Marks' Mills, and Jenkins' Ferry, south of Little Rock, near Camden (5 1/2 hours).

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Every effort has been made to ensure the safety of all of our visitors. However, there are still hazards that require your alertness and vigilance. Poison oak and poison ivy are common, and rattlesnakes and copperheads may occasionally be found in the park. Do not climb on cannons, monuments, fences, bluffs, trenches or trees. Use caution driving the auto tour. Watch for pedestrians, walkers, joggers and bikers. Wildlife also cross the road regularly throughout the park. Be sure to lock your vehicles and secure your belongings in the trunk or other safe location, if you intend on being out of sight of your vehicle. Remember to dress for conditions and take plenty of water along.

 

Ticks and chiggers are common place in the park. The risks associated with ticks, including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, are present. Take precautions by wearing light colored clothing, spray yourself with repellant, and check periodically for them.

Last Updated:Monday, 14-Jun-99 15:40:57
http://www.nps.gov/peri/