Wilson'S Creek National Battlefield

National Park Service, Missouri.

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

Nearby Activities

  • Hiking
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Horseback Riding

Directions

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.

Additional Information

  • Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Map
  • Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Official Website

Photo Gallery

  • Moonlight TourLiving history volunteers act out a scene during the annual Moonlight Tours event
  • Missouri bladderpodThe Missouri bladderpod (Physaria filiformis) is an threatened species native to Wilson's Creek
  • Bloody Hill
  • Wilson's Creek artillery crewA Wilson's Creek artillery crew fires a cannon during a summer artillery demonstration.
  • Horseback ridersA rider pauses at the edge of Wilson's Creek while other riders cross.
  • Living historyLiving history volunteers participate in events at the park
  • Common soldierA living history volunteer participates in demonstrations for park visitors
  • Henry RifleA rare 1864 Henry repeating rifle from the park's museum collection belonged to Missouri Civil War veteran George W. Fulton
  • Conservation crewsCrews from Watershed Conservation Corps and Conservations Corps of Minnesota and Iowa do plant conservation work on Bloody Hill under direction of the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network.
  • Edwards CabinLiving history volunteers give demonstration at the historic Edwards Cabin
  • Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
  • Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
  • Tour RoadVisitors enjoy an evening stroll on the Tour Road.
  • Ray HouseThe John Ray House is decorated for the park's annual holiday luminary memorial event.
  • Wilson's Creek Cannon at Stop 5Wilson's Creek cannon at Tour Road Stop 5
  • Wilson's Creek 159th Battle AnniversaryA Wilson's Creek artillery crew fires a cannon on the 159th Battle Anniversary (August 10, 2020).
  • Cannon at Tour Stop Number 5
  • Ray House
  • Edwards Cabin
  • Wilson's Creek
  • Lyon MarkerThe 1928 Lyon Marker commemorates General Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general to die in the Civil War.

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