Things To Do

Visiting the Park

The visitor center, tour road, battlefield, and trails are open. Library is open by appointment only.

• For updates, check park alerts of visit the News page for other announcements.
• As of April 1, 2024, the visitor center, bookstore, and museum are on new hours and are open 9 am to 5 pm daily.

Self-Guided Driving or Walking Tours

• The 4.9-mile, paved tour road allows visitors to take a self-guided auto tour with eight interpretive stops at significant locations.
• The tour road includes a non-motorized lane for walkers, runner, or cyclists.
• Click here for the main park map.
• Click here for virtual tours of the battlefield.

Trails for walking, hiking, and horseback riding

• Five walking paths are accessible from the tour road and vary in length from 1/4 to 3/4 of a mile. The tour road also includes a pedestrian lane for walkers, runner, or cyclists.
• A longer trail system for horseback riding and hiking is accessible from the tour road. Parking specifically for horse trailers is accessible from the tour road.

The Ray House

The Ray House, dating from the 1850s, served as a temporary field hospital for Southern soldiers following the battle. General Nathaniel Lyon's body was brought to the house and placed in a bed for examination. Depending on staff and volunteer availability, the Ray House is open between April 1 and November 30.

If you plan to visit the park and would like to check the programming schedule for the Ray House, please call the park's main number (417-732-2662) on the day of your visit.

The Ray House is closed to the public between December 1st and March 31st.

Public Programs

Programs including Civil War medicine, guided walks, caravan tours and living depicting Civil War soldier and civilian life, musket and artillery firing demonstrations, and many others are presented regularly from Memorial Day to Labor Day on selected weekends (subject to staff and volunteer availability).

If you would like to check the programming schedule for living history Programs, please check the events calendar on our website and and our Facebook page's events listing.You also may call the park's main number (417-732-2662).

Other Missouri National Parks

Go for a paddle in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Learn about the life and legacy of US Presidents Thomas Jefferson, Harry S Truman, and Ulysses S. Grant. Explore the contributions of scientist, humanitarian, and educator George Washington Carver. These are just a few of the many things to do at the national parks in Missouri. Click on this link to find things to do for each park followed by insider planning tips.