Explore Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas—battlefields, trails, and stories from one of the Civil War’s pivotal fights in Missouri’s shadow.
- Pea Ridge National Military Park
- Park Amenities
- Plan Your Next Adventure!
- Learn More About The Sojourner’s Compass
- Explore Missouri’s Outdoor Destinations
- Explore Missouri’s Wine Country
- Explore Missouri’s River Legacy
- Learn About Missouri’s Sunken Histories
- Explore Missouri’s Outlaw Past
- Explore Missouri’s Civil War History
- Check Out These Books Published By The Sojourner’s Compass
- Stay Connected
- Support the Journey
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Tucked into the rolling hills of northwest Arkansas, Pea Ridge National Military Park preserves one of the most complete Civil War battlefields in the country. Operated by the National Park Service, it tells the story of the March 1862 battle that secured Missouri for the Union.
Visit the official NPS website here:
https://www.nps.gov/peri/index.htm
The visitor center offers a small but well-curated museum, a film, and a gift shop with local and historical items.
A 7-mile driving tour features ten marked stops with interpretive panels, cannon displays, and viewpoints.
For those who prefer to explore on foot or horseback, miles of trails trace the old Federal and Confederate lines.
Stop 1 includes a shaded picnic area—perfect for lunch before touring.
A Concise Overview of the Battle
Fought March 7–8, 1862, the Battle of Pea Ridge (also called Elkhorn Tavern) was the decisive clash that ended Confederate hopes of reclaiming Missouri.
Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis led about 10,500 Union troops; Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn commanded roughly 16,000 Confederates drawn from Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri.
Battle at Leetown
On March 7, Van Dorn sent his western column through dense woods toward Leetown. Fierce fighting erupted when Union cavalry under Col. Osterhaus and Col. Davis met the advance.
Confederate Generals Benjamin McCulloch and James McIntosh were both killed within minutes, leaving their wing leaderless. The Confederate line collapsed by afternoon.
Battle at Elkhorn Tavern – Day 1
Meanwhile, the eastern column struck Union positions near Elkhorn Tavern along the Telegraph Road. Heavy artillery and close fighting raged through the rocky hills and oak woods until nightfall. Curtis’s men regrouped along a strong ridge line.
Battle at Elkhorn Tavern – Day 2
At dawn March 8, Curtis counterattacked with concentrated artillery fire—the “largest cannonade west of the Mississippi.”
Out-gunned and low on ammunition, Van Dorn ordered a retreat through the Boston Mountains.
By evening, the Union held the field, and Missouri’s fate was sealed.
Important Players
Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis
The Union commander whose disciplined defense and coordinated artillery earned a major victory.
Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel
Led the final Union assault on the second day; his German-American troops fought with precision and courage.
Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn
A bold but over-extended Confederate commander who misjudged logistics and paid the price for haste.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin McCulloch
Veteran of the Texas Rangers, killed at Leetown while scouting Union lines.
Brig. Gen. James McIntosh
Fell minutes after McCulloch, leaving their division in disarray.
Maj. Gen. Sterling Price
Led Missouri State Guard troops under Van Dorn; his men fought stubbornly at Elkhorn Tavern.
Brig. Gen. Stand Watie
Cherokee leader whose mounted rifles fought beside McCulloch, marking one of the few Native-led units in the war.
Importance to the War in Missouri and Aftermath
The Battle of Pea Ridge ensured that Missouri remained under Union control for the rest of the war. Confederate forces retreated into Arkansas and would never again mount a major invasion north of the Boston Mountains. The victory also solidified Union command of key routes along the Missouri River and the Southwest Trail, making Pea Ridge a cornerstone event in trans-Mississippi strategy.
Park Amenities
Visitor Center & Museum
Interpretive exhibits, a short film, ranger talks, and a gift shop.
Driving & Hiking Trails
Seven-mile loop road plus extensive walking and horseback paths with numbered waypoints.
Picnic Areas
Tables and shade at the entry and several stops—ideal for family visits.
Events & Programs
Annual reenactments, living-history weekends, and guided tours highlight the park’s ongoing preservation mission.
Go Explore
Pea Ridge National Military Park combines natural beauty with powerful history.
Walk the same ridges soldiers once held, listen to the wind in the oaks, and remember the men who fought for Missouri’s future.
Plan Your Next Adventure!
Ready to hit the road?
Book your getaway with our travel partner Trip.com for deals on hotels, flights, car rentals, and more.
Need gear or planning tools? Visit our [Resource Page] for trusted outdoor essentials, eSIM solutions, and smart travel hacks.
Learn More About The Sojourner’s Compass
Welcome to “The Sojourner’s Compass”
Explore Missouri’s Outdoor Destinations
Ha Ha Tonka: Missouri’s Untamed Legacy of Stone and Time
Missouri’s Forgotten Landscapes: State Parks That Deserve More Attention
Leave No Trace: Protecting Missouri’s Trails & Wild Spaces
Missouri’s Hidden Trails: Hiking, Survival Skills & Forgotten History
Trail Smart Missouri: Your Ultimate Hiking Safety Guide
Explore Missouri’s Wine Country
Where Wine & History Collide: Your Ultimate Hermann Travel Guide
The Hermann Wine Trail: 7 Stops of Missouri Flavor & History
Explore Missouri’s River Legacy
Steamboats & Storytelling: A Mark Twain Adventure in Hannibal MO
From Steamboats to Towboats: How Missouri’s Rivers Shaped Commerce and Culture
Learn About Missouri’s Sunken Histories
Part 1 – Vanished Under Table Rock: The Towns That Time Erased
Part 2 – Drowned for Development: The Price Paid for Lake of the Ozarks
Explore Missouri’s Outlaw Past
Follow Jesse James’ Trail: The Ultimate Missouri Outlaw Road Trip
Explore Missouri’s Civil War History
Wilson’s Creek Battlefield: Echoes of Missouri’s Civil War
Echoes of War: Exploring Missouri’s Civil War Legacy
The Forgotten Skirmish: Cole Camp’s Fierce Civil War Clash
Why Missouri’s Civil War Battlefields Still Speak Today
Missouri’s Civil War – Rivers, Guerrillas & Border Battles
Tracing the Battle of Carthage – A Road Trip Through History
Check Out These Books Published By The Sojourner’s Compass
“Battles & Beyond” – Companion Book Series
From river crossings to ridge fights, Missouri’s Civil War story was one of chaos, courage, and contested loyalties. This travel-ready series delivers concise battlefield guides packed with historical context, walking tips, firsthand quotes, and itinerary tie-ins—perfect for travelers, educators, and armchair historians alike.
Led by Jonathon Midgley, author of The Last Hand series, each volume brings forgotten fights into clear focus—making it easy to explore the war’s impact, one battlefield at a time.
Available On Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
The Last Hand: Shadows of the War – Series
A Historical Western Series
The war is over—but the wounds ride west. The Last Hand follows Caleb Tucker, a former Confederate officer turned gambler, as he navigates postwar Missouri’s saloons, steamboats, and blood-soaked trails in search of redemption, justice, or something in between.
Blending historical accuracy with slow-burn suspense and character-driven storytelling, each book stands alone while weaving into a larger legacy of loyalty, loss, and reckoning.
Available On Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
Stay Connected
Follow us for travel inspiration, new articles, and short-form video features:
Facebook: The Sojourner’s Compass Facebook
YouTube: The Sojourner’s Compass YouTube
Support the Journey
Love the content? Every article takes time, travel, and research.
Help keep the compass pointing forward:
Click here to support the site via ad views
Your visit helps sustain future content. Thank you for being part of the journey!
Leave a Reply