Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
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Wilson's Creek National Battlefield at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 1 day
- Don't miss
- Report for Duty at Wilson's Creek NB
- Nearby city
- Republic, MO
Explore this park
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.
2 current NPS alerts
- Information: America the Beautiful Pass not Issued at Wilson's Creek
- Information: Navigation Warning
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 10, 2026). Official Wilson's Creek National Battlefield page on nps.gov
Weather Information
- Spring
and fall months are generally pleasant, with occasional showers.
- 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.
Operating Hours
STANDARD HOURS (TOUR ROAD)
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.
- MondaySunrise to Sunset
- TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
- WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
- ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
- FridaySunrise to Sunset
- SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
- SundaySunrise to Sunset
Common questions
Planning Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
