Stones River National Battlefield
Stones River National Battlefield preserves 670 acres and has more than 7 miles of trails to explore. It’s one of the most largest and important battle from the Civil War. I won’t go into much detail of the battle because if you ever get the chance to visit you should take it all in for yourself. You can be there for a short visit or even hours like I did. Did you know this battle was sadly one of the bloodiest and most deadliest battle in the Civil War?
Things Ioved about visiting:
How nice the staff was in the Visitor Center and provided great detail about the battlefield and how the tours go.
While being inside the Visitor Center there’s a few rooms you walk through and each walls provide detailed descriptions and even had displays and even a theater that shows a description video.
I really liked the fact that you can walk, drive or ride a bicycle around to get to the certain locations/spots with more history to take in.
The fact that cannons are still there.
I wasn’t expecting to get emotional while walking around this battlefield but I sure did and don’t feel bad about it at all.
Soooo much history to relearn and take it all in.
I thought it was neat that you can use the app while on the guide to get a better understanding of what was happening when you stop at the locations.
There was also a gift shop in the Visitor Center looked like they had a great selection of things I was just more interested in the battlefield and learning the history so didn’t really look to see what all they had.
It was peaceful and saddening at the same time.
How kept up it was and didn’t see any broken headstones at the cemetery.
Only thing I didn’t like was when I got to the McFadden Farm and saw someone sitting on the monument, could just be me but I find that truly disgusting and disrespectful to the ones that lost their lives during this battle!!
Things to know
From March 1st through October 31st open from 8a-4pm. From November 1st through the end of February winter hours are 8am-5pm.
Dogs are welcome they will need to be on a leash, leash can’t be longer than 6ft no electric collar either. If you do bring your fur baby, please pick up after and throw away. Also please do not tie them to a tree, monument and other structures. Be advised that if you bring them in summer time don’t leave in car, as it’s known to get very humid there. Dogs aren’t allowed in Visitor Center or National Cemetery unless it’s a service animal.
Free admission no pass is needed.
The parking lots are small at the stops and there is signs posted to only be there for 15 mins or so, let’s others have a time to get out and look around as well.
Download the National Park Services app and that’s how you’ll get the self guided tour and also has other options and things you can do while there.
I didn’t find out until last minute but there is a book you can get and have it stamped when you go to the stopping locations.
I would recommend this to anyone that’s a history freak like me, anyone wanting to walk or ride a bike, even if you are just passing through it’s definitely a site you don’t want to miss!
History & Culture - Stones River National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service)
