The battle fought here on August 10, 1861, was the first major
Civil War engagement west of the Mississippi River, involving
about 5,000 Union troops and 10,000 Confederates. It was a
Confederate victory, though not a decisive one; as participants,
both Union and Confederate, would meet again in a few months. It
was also here where the first Union general, Nathaniel Lyon, met his death. With the exception of the vegetation,
the 1,750 acre battlefield has changed little from its historic
setting, enabling the visitor to experience the battlefield in
near pristine condition. Click here to go to our Online Visitor Center.
- VISITATION:
- Highest visitation, June through September; lowest
visitation, November through March. School field trips will be
encountered March through May.
- LOCATION:
- Republic, MO
- ADDRESS:
- 6424 W. Farm Road 182
Republic, MO 65738
(417) 732-2662
- OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
- Daily, except Christmas and New Year's days. Visitor center
hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park hours: Memorial Day
through Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; April 1 through
October 31, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; November through March, 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
- Spring and fall are moderate in temperature and humidity.
Summer, July through August, is typically hot and humid. Winter,
November through February, is cold with snow a possibility
anytime. Seldom does a snow cover last more than two or three
days.
- DIRECTIONS:
- Visitors traveling east-west on I-44: exit at Exit #70
(state highway MM). Continue south to US highway 60 to an
electric signal. Proceed through the intersection. MM changes
to state highway M. Continue approximately one-half mile to
state highway ZZ. Turn right on ZZ. Continue south about one
and one-half miles to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn left at
the intersection. The entrance to the battlefield will be on the
right.
Visitors traveling south on US Highway 65, exit on East Sunshine
(state highway 60). Continue west on US highway 60 to the
state highway MM/M intersection. From the left turn lane, make a
left on highway M. Continue approximately one-half mile to
highway ZZ. Turn right on ZZ. Continue south about one and one-
half mile to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn left at the
intersection. The entrance to the battlefield is on the
right.
Visitors traveling north on US Highway 65, from Branson and the
lakes area, make a left on state highway 14 at Ozark. Continue
west on highway 14 to state highway ZZ. Follow ZZ north to Farm
Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn right at the intersection. The
entrance to the battlefield is on the right.
Visitors traveling south on state highway 13 will note that
highway 13 becomes Kansas Expressway upon entering the city
limits of Springfield. Follow Kansas Expressway south to US
highway 60 (W. Sunshine). At the intersection turn right on
US highway 60. Continue west and south on highway 60 to the
state highway MM/M intersection. Turn left on highway M.
Continue approximately one-half mile to highway ZZ. Turn right
on ZZ, continue south about one and one-half mile to Farm Road
182 (Elm Street). Turn left at the intersection. The entrance
to the battlefield is on the right.
- TRANSPORTATION:
- To Park: access by Interstate Highway 44 and state highways
65 and 13. Springfield is serviced by the Springfield/Branson
Regional Airport. Limousine and taxi service is available from
Springfield. Springfield is also serviced by the Greyhound bus
lines.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, and foot.
- FEES, COSTS, RATES:
- Admission fee to the park is $2.00 per person, $4.00 per
vehicle. Children 16 and under, free. Annual park pass is
available for $10.00. Golden Age, Eagle, and Access Passports
honored. Contact chief ranger for tour bus fees.
- FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
- Visitor center with battle related exhibits, thirteen minute video
presenting the historical background to the battle, and a six
minute fiber optics lighted map program illustrating battle
tactics. An excellent Civil War research library is open to
visitors on an advanced reservation basis. The library does not
maintain an open stack or checkout policy.
- Trails, Roads:
- A 4.9 mile paved tour road provides a self-guided auto tour.
There are eight interpretive stops at significant points to the battle. There are five walking trails off the tour road for individual exploration, varying in lengths from one-fourth mile to three-fourth mile, showing trail
destinations related to the battle. A seven mile trail system for horseback riding and hiking is accessible from the tour road.
The Ray House, an historic house dating from before the battle,
served as a temporary field hospital for Confederate soldiers
following the battle. It also received the body of General
Nathaniel Lyon. The bed on which the general's body was placed
while being cleaned and examined for wounds, is on exhibit in one
of the rooms. House open daily, Memorial Day through Labor
day.
- Lodging and camping facilities:
- None in the park. A variety of hotels and motels are
available in Springfield. One commercial camp ground (KOA) is
five miles north.
- Food/supplies:
- None in the park. Local restaurants and grocery stores are
available in the area.
- Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
Opportunities:
- A bookstore is located in the visitor center operated by
Eastern National, with an excellent selection of Civil War related books and souvenir items.
- Accessibility:
- All areas of the visitor center and Ray House are wheelchair
accessible from the parking areas. A wheelchair is available for
use in the visitor center. Interpretive stops along the tour
road are wheelchair accessible. However, interpretive trails off
the tour road are primitive trails and are not wheelchair
accessible. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available
at each of the parking areas.
- Special Needs:
- Parking is available in the visitor center parking area as
well as at each of the eight interpretive stops. There are
spaces designated for buses.
- RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
- Visitors should stop at the visitor center for a park
brochure with information about the battle and self-guided tour,
as well as special events available.
- RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
- Reservations for school groups or other educational groups
should be made at least two weeks prior to the visit. Fees are
waived for school and educational groups.
A special use permit is required for commercial filming, group
reservations, and other uses of the battlefield that deviate from
the usual use by visitors. The picnic pavilion is available on a
first come basis, but can be reserved for a fee. Contact the
chief ranger for details.
- BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Visitors to the battlefield should allow a minimum of two
hours, depending upon their time schedule and interest,
particularly if they take the optional historic walking
trails.
- SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
- The anniversary of the battle is observed with a special
program and ceremony during the morning of the anniversary date,
August 10. An annual candlelight tour is held in connection with
the anniversary weekend. This program requires advanced
reservations and is not included as part of the regular admission
charge.
Living history programs depicting Civil War soldier life, cavalry
drills, musket firing, artillery demonstrations, Civil War
medicine, and Civil War era clothing are available on Sunday
afternoons Memorial Day through Labor day. Special exhibits and
guest speakers on Civil War related topics. Guided tours of
Bloody Hill and car caravan tours provided on weekends, Memorial
Day through Labor Day.
Contact park headquarters (417) 732-2662, for information for
specific dates and times for all the above. A calendar of events
is also available.
- VISITOR IMPACTS:
- Contact the park headquarters for information concerning
closing of the tour road and horse trails, in cases of snow or
heavy rains affecting low water crossings.
- ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
- General Sweeney's, A Museum of Civil War History, which is an outstanding
private museum of Civil War artifacts, adjoins the battlefield.
Branson and the lakes country are within an hour's drive of the
battlefield. Springfield, ten miles northeast of the
battlefield, has the History Museum for Springfieldand Greene County,
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, and several historic districts with self-guided
tours of historic homes. The Missouri Department of Conservation
maintains a nature center with exhibits and walking trails in
Springfield, also.
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Write the Park Headquarters, or call (417) 732-2662.
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