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Recognized nationally as one of America’s most intact Civil War battlefields, Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park protects the battle site and interprets the Battle of Prairie Grove. This is where, on December 7, 1862, the Confederate Army of the Trans-Mississippi clashed with the Union Army of the Frontier. On this one day of fierce fighting it resulted in about 2,700 casualties. This marked the last major Civil War engagement in northwest Arkansas.
TOUR
Here you can walk over hallowed ground where history happened. Walk along the ridge and in the valley where the heaviest fighting took place. Follow the one-mile Battlefield Trail or travel the park’s five-mile Driving Tour. Tour the historic structures in the Ozark village.
Begin your park visit at Hindman Hall, the park’s battlefield museum and visitor center. Interactive exhibits interpreting and detailing the Battle of Prairie Grove bring that history alive. They share stories about the battle, how the landscape affected and shaped the strategic decisions made by both armies, and the Civil War’s devastating local effect.
BATTLE REENACTMENT
The park hosts Arkansas’s largest battle reenactment biennially in even-numbered years during the first weekend of December. Activities include guided tours through Union, Confederate and civilian camps, military drills conducted by reenactors, cooking, spinning and lace-making demonstrations, as well as, living history programs. Beginning at 1:00 p.m. each day, battle demonstrations feature charges and counterattacks by Union and Confederate infantry and cavalry on the actual battlefield near the historic Borden House. Visit the park’s online calendar of events for specially-scheduled programs.
GEOCACHE TOUR
Enjoy this self-guided, 15-point virtual cache tour of the park grounds. Total walking distance is just over one mile. This tour may take 45 minutes to two hours to complete, depending on your experience level with geocaching. The first point coordinates are N 35° 58.988, W 094° 18.631. By policy, geocaches may only be placed by park employees at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.
SELF GUIDED DRIVING TOUR
Explore the Prairie Grove grounds from your vehicle during a five-mile driving tour. You may opt to rent or purchase an audio tour on compact disc. The 55-minute CD leads you through 14 stops along the tour. It contains a narrator providing a description of events, and directions to each stop which are also marked by signs. Other voices reading material from historical papers such as letters represent soldiers or settlers who lived through the battle. Contact the park visitor center for details.
BATTELFIELD GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Take a walk along the Prairie Grove ridge from the Latta Barn to the Borden House, where the heaviest local fighting occurred during the Civil War. A guide will offer details of the conflict, point out where significant events happened, and answer questions along the way. Daily guided tours are offered beginning at Hindman Hall Museum, and each lasts about an hour. You may also opt to take a self-guided walking or driving tour.
HISTORIC HOUSE GUIDED TOUR
Every day that the park is open, you can enjoy a guided tour through the historic Morrow and Latta houses. Daily guided tours are offered beginning at Hindman Hall Museum, and each lasts about an hour. The Morrow House was a Confederate headquarters prior to the Civil War battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. The Latta House belonged to John and Jane Latta, who arrived in Arkansas Territory in 1834 and raised 12 children.
VIRTUAL TOUR AND HISTORY OF THE BATTLEFIELD
Visitors can explore the battle before their visit through a presentation website by the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies at the University of Arkansas. You may do so by watching the battle video, as well as, exploring a series of interactive maps. The information presented includes audio segments, 3D rendered images of the historic structures, tactical troop movements, and historic accounts. This innovative website presentation coincides with exhibit renovation at the park museum. Content from the website has been integrated into the park’s new interactive exhibits.
For more information about Arkansas State Parks historic, heritage and cultural parks, and museums, go to: www.HistoryStateParks.com
The park is on U.S. 62 in Prairie Grove.
Park Hours & FEES
Contact Park
PARK PHONE
479-846-2990
PARK ADDRESS
506 East Douglas Street
Prairie Grove, AR 72753
GPS: 35.983137, -94.310686
For more information click HERE.
Have you visited this state park? If so, please leave a comment. Thanks.
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