Reflect at Wilson's Creek

NPS Photo

Improve Your Mental Wellness 

Being outdoors provides you with a place to escape from the stressors of everyday life and enter a calm space to connect with your thoughts. The National Park Service Wellness Challenge allows you to take a breath, relax and embrace your surroundings to benefit your mental health. 

 Challenge 1: Reflect at Wilson’s Creek 

Relax by the waters of Wilson’s Creek which flows through the entire park and offers many locations for moments of peace. You can stroll over the bridges and sit near the creek bank.

Stop to reflect on the lives lost during the battle and let the sound of the water transport your mind to a place of reflection.  

Details

Duration

1-8 Minutes

This challenge activity is to relax and enjoy the battlefield. Take as much time as you want to spend at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

Activity

Picnicking

Have a picnic at the park while you relax and reflect about Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

Age(s)

4-90

All ages are welcome!

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets are allowed anywhere outside that there is public access, as long as the pet is on a leash no longer than 6 foot. Service animals are allowed indoors.

Activity Fee

Yes

• Individual entrance is $10.00 (covers any adult that is walking or bicycling into the park).
• Vehicle entrance is $20.00 (covers everyone in a non-commercial vehicle).
• Motorcycle entrance is $15.00.
• The receipt for entry is good for 7 days at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.
• Tour Road hours vary according to season. After 5 p.m., when the Tour Road gate is open but the Visitor Center is closed, no entrance fee is required.
• Park brochures are available outside the Visitor Center in the brochure rack.

Commercial Group Fees

• Sedan (1-6 persons) $25.00
• Van (7-15 persons) $40.00
• Mini Bus (16-25 persons) $40.00
• Motor Coach (26+ persons) $100.00

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Annual Park Pass

A site specific, Wilson's Creek annual park pass is $35.

• Valid for entry into Wilson's Creek only.
• Valid for one year from the date of purchase through the end of that month.
• May be signed by two individuals.
• Applies to the pass holder and anyone in the pass holder's vehicle.
• Visitors must show a picture identification along with their Wilson's Creek annual park pass (or other valid annual pass) to obtain a token to drive the Tour Road.

America the Beautiful Passes (Interagency Passes)

America the Beautiful (Interagency) Passes are valid for one year and grant entry to federally-operated sites throughout the country. Senior and Access Passes are still available under the America the Beautiful Program. Passes are now available to park volunteers giving 250 hours of service, and to active members of the military and their dependents. More about America the Beautiful Passes
 

• The America the Beautiful Passes are honored and sold/issued at the Visitor Center.
• Visitors must show a picture identification along with their America the Beautiful Pass (or other annual park pass) to obtain a token to drive the Tour Road.
• Both the pass and the identification must be carried with the user while he/she is visiting the battlefield.
• Visit Recreation.gov to purchase a daily entrance or our site specific pass online at:Recreation.gov

Location

Reflect at Wilson's Creek

The creek flows through the park and you will access it from many of the different tour road stops or hiking trails.

Reservations

No

Season

Spring

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. Spring and fall months are generally pleasant, with occasional showers.

Time of Day

Day

Tour road, battlefield, and trails are open during posted hours (changes by season). Tour Road opens at 7:00 am for walkers and bicycles only. Vehicle entrance begins at 8:00 am which requires a gate token issued inside the visitor center. The visitor center and museum hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, seven days a week. 
 

Entrance Fee Park

Accessibility Information

ccessibility Information 

• The Visitor Center has three accessible parking spaces, and there is a paved sidewalk to its entrance. There is an accessible restroom, and it is all on one level. A wheelchair is available for use at the Visitor Center. 

• The brochure is not available online, or in audio description format currently. The brochure is available in braille at the visitor center information desk. 

• Please give us two weeks notice if you need an ASL Interpreter.  

• A park staff member can provide live audio description if you provide us with two weeks advanced notice. 

Contact:  

• Phone: [phone] 

• Email: [e-mail]   

Reflect at Wilson’s Creek 

• Are there any specific areas by Wilson’s Creek that are accessible? 

A Field of Surprises 

• Are there any benches that are accessible? 

Trail Information 

• Gibson Mill: 1 mile and 40 ft elevation change 

• Ray Cornfield: 1 mile and 80 ft elevation change (horses allowed) 

• Ray House: <0.25 mile and 30 ft elevation change 

• Ray Springhouse: <0.25 mile and 30 ft elevation change 

• East Overlook: <0.25 mile and 60 ft elevation change 

• Pulaski Battery: <0.25 mile and 50 ft elevation change 

• Manley Uplands: 2.5 miles and 170 ft elevation change (horses allowed) 

• Southwest: 1.7 miles and 140 ft elevation change (horses allowed) 

• Wire Road: 1.7 miles and 150 ft elevation change (horses allowed) 

• Bloody Hill: 0.5 mile and 60 ft elevation change 

• Bloody Hill Spur: 0.5 mile and 100 ft elevation change 

• Du Bois’s Battery: 0.25 mile and <10 ft elevation change 

• West Overlook: 0.25 mile and <10 ft elevation change 

Ponder on the Porch 

• The Ray House Trail is paved to within 50 feet of the Ray House. When the house is staffed, visitors who access the building via an accessible ramp at the rear of the house over a grassy surface. 

Learn more about accessibility at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.