Pea Ridge National Military Park
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Pea Ridge National Military Park courtesy of the National Park Service |
Contact Information:
Pea Ridge National Military Park
15930 Highway 62
Garfield, AR 72732
479-451-8122
http://www.nps.gov/peri/
Size: 4,300 acres.
Location: Pea Ridge National Military Park is located 80 miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri, off US 62.
Description: The park represents what might be the most well preserved Civil War battlefield in the United States. The Union victory here on March 7-8, 1862, in one of the major engagements of the Civil War west of the Mississippi, led to the Union's total control of Missouri. The park also includes a 2.5-mile segment of the Trail of Tears National Historic Site.
Activities: A good place to begin your trip is at the visitor center, where the museum and a 28-minute movie entitled "Thunder In the Ozarks" are designed to provide background and orientation to the story of the battle. 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, which takes you into the more natural areas of the park, and the horse trail offers a rugged ride into the back country. The park is an excellent place for viewing wildlife especially white tailed deer, wild turkey, and bobcat. The park has a picnic area at the visitor center.
Operating
Hours:
The park is open on a year-round basis, from 8:00am to - 5:00pm daily. The park closes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
History: Authorized on July 20, 1956.
See other National Military Parks
See other Arkansas National Parks
See other Civil War Parks
