Park Hours (Today)
Sunrise to Sunset
Wilson's Creek Visitor Center & Museum: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Miza AI
Plan your Wilson's Creek trip
About the Park
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.
Ready to explore Wilson's Creek National Battlefield?
Take the stress out of planning. Our AI will automatically sequence your stops, find the best hotels, and optimize your driving time in seconds.
What to See & Do
Report for Duty at Wilson's Creek NB
Become a Junior Ranger at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield!
Seek and Find
Seek and Find nature and plant species as you visit the battlefield.
In the Steps of Soldiers
Hike in the footsteps of Federal and Southern soldiers.
Let Nature Surprise You
Let Nature Surprise You! Bring a notebook to journal about the nature you find at Wilsons Creek.
Ponder on the Porch
Visit the Ray House and imagine how their family home was trasformed by battle into a field hospital.
Moving on the Tour Road
Choose a method of exploring the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Tour Road that works best for you.
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 troop movement map, a bookstore, and the John k. and Ruth Hulston Civil War Research Library.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
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
Photos
Women in reproduction historic dress sit and stand on porch of old cabin
A stone marker with engraving sits in front of a wooden fence and trees
The receiver of an 1864 rifle shows decorative engraving with the original owner's name
A man and woman walk with their dog on a paved road edged by trees and fields
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Build your Wilson's Creek itinerary
Tell Miza your dates, pace, and interests—get a day-by-day plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
Searching for the best hotel deals near Wilson's Creek National Battlefield...
Planning Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.