Wilson's Creek National Battlefield - National Park Directory

Men in reproduction uniforms talk around a campfire

Living history volunteers act out a scene during the annual Moonlight Tours event

Women in reproduction historic dress sit and stand on porch of old cabin

Living history volunteers give demonstration at the historic Edwards Cabin

A stone marker with engraving sits in front of a wooden fence and trees

The 1928 Lyon Marker commemorates General Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general to die in the Civil War.

The receiver of an 1864 rifle shows decorative engraving with the original owner's name

A rare 1864 Henry repeating rifle from the park's museum collection belonged to Missouri Civil War veteran George W. Fulton

A man and woman walk with their dog on a paved road edged by trees and fields

Visitors enjoy an evening stroll on the Tour Road.

Front Entrance of Visitor Center and Arrowhead on sign reading "Wilson's Creek National Battlefield"

Begin your visit at the newly remodeled Visitor Center at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

General Nathaniel Lyon killed at The Battle of Wilson's Creek was placed on this bed. The Lyon Bed.

The Bed where General Nathaniel Lyon is placed, after being fatally wounded on the Battlefield.

Photos: National Park Service

About Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focused national attention on the war in Missouri. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield commemorates and interprets the battle within the context of the war in the Trans-Mississippi West.

Quick Facts

State Missouri

Designation National Battlefield

State Code MO

Weather Summer months are frequently hot and humid, with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Winter months (especially January and February) are frequently cold, with occasional ice and light snow. Spring and fall…

Location & Map

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located in Missouri.

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Operating Hours

The park grounds are open from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. This includes non-motorized and pedestrian access to the tour road. Motorized access to the tour road begins at 8:00 am daily when the automated entrance gate will open. The visitor center and museum hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, seven days a week.

Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset

Monday Sunrise to Sunset

Thursday Sunrise to Sunset

Sunday Sunrise to Sunset

Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset

Friday Sunrise to Sunset

Saturday Sunrise to Sunset

Activities

Arts and Culture Cultural Demonstrations Live Music Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Biking Road Biking Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Self-Guided Tours - Auto Hiking Front-Country Hiking Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Living History Historic Weapons Demonstration First Person Interpretation Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

From I-44: exit at Exit 70 (Missouri Highway MM). Continue south to U.S. Highway 60. Proceed through the intersection. Continue 1/2 mile to Missouri Highway ZZ. Turn right on ZZ. Continue south to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). At the roundabout, take the third exit; the entrance to the battlefield is on the right.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 6424 W. Farm Road 182, Republic, MO, 65738

Phone 417-732-2662

Email WICR_visitor_requests@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

African American Heritage Arts Painting Photography Enslavement Farming and Agriculture Industry Mills Medicine Hospital Military Battlefields Monuments and Memorials Schools and Education Wars and Conflicts Civil War Women's History Animals Birds Tortoises and Turtles Forests and Woodlands Groundwater Freshwater Springs Grasslands Prairies Meadows Night Sky Astronomy Trails Unique Species Endangered

Things To Do

Report for Duty at Wilson's Creek NB

Become a Junior Ranger at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield!

Report for Duty Become a Junior Ranger at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield! Pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet at…

Seek and Find

Seek and Find nature and plant species as you visit the battlefield.

Seek and Find nature out in the park. Improve Your Learning Wellness Enriching your brain with new knowledge…

In the Steps of Soldiers

Hike in the footsteps of Federal and Southern soldiers.

Hike in the footsteps of Federal and Southern soldiers on five walking trails varying in length between one-quarter and three-quarters…

Let Nature Surprise You

Let Nature Surprise You! Bring a notebook to journal about the nature you find at Wilsons Creek.

Challenge 2: Let Nature Surprise You Bring a notebook to journal about the nature you find at Wilson’s Creek. …

Ponder on the Porch

Visit the Ray House and imagine how their family home was trasformed by battle into a field hospital.

Improve Your Mental Wellness Being outdoors provides you with a place to escape from the stressors of everyday life and…

Moving on the Tour Road

Choose a method of exploring the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Tour Road that works best for you.

Improve Your Physical Wellness Even the smallest of movements can have a great impact on your personal wellness. The…

Visitor Centers

Wilson's Creek Visitor Center & Museum

The recently renovated visitor center contains a staffed contact station, exhibits housing items from our extensive museum collection, a twenty-eight-minute film, an eight-minute fiber optics…

Hours: The visitor center and museum hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, all year long. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

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