Last updated: October 10, 2024
Thing to Do
Second Manassas Trail
Distance: 6.6 mile roundtrip hike
Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
Hiking Time: 3+ hours
This trail leads visitors through the climactic stages of the Second Battle of Manassas. Fighting occurred on August 28-30,1862 between Confederate troops under the command of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Union forces led by Gen. John Pope.
The trail begins at the Henry Hill Visitor Center and heads north, past the Stone House (open seasonally), to Buck Hill where Pope established his headquarters. From here, visitors can look west to the area of the unfinished railroad where Stonewall Jackson placed his Confederate forces.
After reaching Matthews Hill and crossing Sudley Road, the trail continues along the graded railroad bed leading to a clearing at the Deep Cut, the scene of a bloody battle where Jackson's troops turned back a major assault on the final day of the battle.
The trail then turns south and passes the Lucinda Dogan House (one of three surviving Civil War-era structures in the park). Crossing Rt. 29, the trail winds towards New York Avenue where monuments mark the site where the 5th and 10th New York regiments were slaughtered in a massive Confederate counterattack that swept eastward toward Chinn Ridge.
fter touring the Chinn Ridge area, scene of severe fighting on August 30,1862, the trail leads back to Henry Hill, where the final struggle during Second Manassas played out. Signage along Sudley Road describes the final phases of the Battle.
Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
Hiking Time: 3+ hours
This trail leads visitors through the climactic stages of the Second Battle of Manassas. Fighting occurred on August 28-30,1862 between Confederate troops under the command of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Union forces led by Gen. John Pope.
The trail begins at the Henry Hill Visitor Center and heads north, past the Stone House (open seasonally), to Buck Hill where Pope established his headquarters. From here, visitors can look west to the area of the unfinished railroad where Stonewall Jackson placed his Confederate forces.
After reaching Matthews Hill and crossing Sudley Road, the trail continues along the graded railroad bed leading to a clearing at the Deep Cut, the scene of a bloody battle where Jackson's troops turned back a major assault on the final day of the battle.
The trail then turns south and passes the Lucinda Dogan House (one of three surviving Civil War-era structures in the park). Crossing Rt. 29, the trail winds towards New York Avenue where monuments mark the site where the 5th and 10th New York regiments were slaughtered in a massive Confederate counterattack that swept eastward toward Chinn Ridge.
fter touring the Chinn Ridge area, scene of severe fighting on August 30,1862, the trail leads back to Henry Hill, where the final struggle during Second Manassas played out. Signage along Sudley Road describes the final phases of the Battle.
Details
Duration
3-4 Hours
The average hiking duration does not take into consideration fitness, exploration, rest, contemplation, wayside reading, etc.
Activity
Hiking
Pets Allowed
Yes with Restrictions
Pets must be leashed at all times. Please bag pet waste and dispose at trash cans in the Henry Hill Visitor Center parking lot.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Henry Hill Visitor Center
Second Manassas Trail begins at the Henry Hill Visitor Center, however there are other access points in the park for the trail:
- Stone House (Tour Stop #3)
- Matthews Hill (Tour Stop #4)
- Unfinished Railroad (Tour Stop #6)
- Deep Cut (Tour Stop #7)
- Groveton (Tour Stop #8)
- New York Avenue (Tour Stop #9)
- Chinn Ridge (Tour Stop #10)
- Stone House (Tour Stop #3)
- Matthews Hill (Tour Stop #4)
- Unfinished Railroad (Tour Stop #6)
- Deep Cut (Tour Stop #7)
- Groveton (Tour Stop #8)
- New York Avenue (Tour Stop #9)
- Chinn Ridge (Tour Stop #10)
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day
Park is open during daylight hours.
Accessibility Information
This trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines.
Second Manassas Trail Access Points
The Second Manassas Trail begins at the Henry Hill Visitor Center, however there are other access points and parking lots for the trail throughout the park.
Parking Lot
Chinn Ridge Parking Lot
- 19 total spaces
- 3 oversized spaces
- 38.80666184843493, -77.53489851227127
Parking lot off of Chinn Ridge Road. Closest parking to access the Chinn Ridge Trail. Also one of several access points for the Second Manassas Loop Trail. Driving tour stop number ten. Please park in designated spaces. No equestrian trailer parking.
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 3
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 3
- Total number of spaces
- 19
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 3
Image Gallery
Parking Lot
Deep Cut Parking Lot
- 0 total spaces
- 0 oversized spaces
- 38.82071957548882, -77.54927834362158
Parking lot off of Featherbed Lane. One of two lots that gives access to the Deep Cut Loop Trail. One of several access points to the Second Manassas Loop Trail. Driving tour stop number seven. Please park in designated spaces only. No equestrian trailer parking.
Image Gallery
Parking Lot
Groveton Confederate Cemetery Parking Lot
- 17 total spaces
- 0 oversized spaces
- 38.813383870152485, -77.54677028070975
Parking lot off of US 29. Closest parking lot to the Groveton Confederate Cemetery. One of several access points to the Second Manassas Loop Trail. Driving tour stop number eight. Park in designated spaces only. No equestrian trailer parking.
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 2
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 0
- Total number of spaces
- 17
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 0
Image Gallery
Parking Lot
Henry Hill Visitor Center Parking
- 82 total spaces
- 2 oversized spaces
- 38.812693101818276, -77.52124283832288
Parking for the Henry Hill Visitor Center and Henry Hill Loop Trail. Also one of several parking lots along the First Manassas Loop Trail. Best to park here for Henry Hill Visitor Center based ranger programs, and the visitor center itself. This lot gets extremely crowded on weekends, please consider other parking areas that might allow easier access to your desired activity. Please park in designated spaces and do not park in the grass. No equestrian trailer parking.
Weekends are extremely busy. Many locations and activities at Manassas National Battlefield Park are better served by one of our other lots. Please limit your time at Henry Hill, or use another lot for your visit if possible.
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 6
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 0
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 6
- Total number of spaces
- 82
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 2
Image Gallery
Parking Lot
Matthews Hill Parking Lot
- 14 total spaces
- 1 oversized spaces
- 38.82670121295178, -77.53372805293114
Parking lot off of Sudley Road. Access point for the Matthews Hill Loop Trail. Is one of several access points for both the First Manassas Loop Trail and the Second Manassas Loop Trail. Driving tour stop number four. Please park in designated spaces only. No equestrian trailer parking.
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 0
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 1
- Total number of spaces
- 14
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 1
Image Gallery
Parking Lot
New York Avenue Parking Lot Two
- 9 total spaces
- 0 oversized spaces
- 38.810181532006474, -77.54406370144149
Lot off of New York Avenue that is one of several access points to the Second Manassas Loop Trail and is driving tour stop number nine. Please park in designated spaces only. No equestrian trailer parking.
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 3
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 0
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 0
- Total number of spaces
- 9
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 0
Image Gallery
Parking Lot
Stone House Parking Lot
- 18 total spaces
- 1 oversized spaces
- 38.81930159335119, -77.5249803888505
Parking lot closest to the Stone House at the intersection of US 29, and Sudley Road. One of several access points for both the First Manassas Loop Trail and the Second Manassas Loop Trail. Driving tour stop number three. This lot is also a few minutes walk from the Henry Hill Visitor Center and is the closest available parking if the Henry Hill Lot is full. Please park in designated spaces only. No equestrian trailer parking.
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 1
- Total number of spaces
- 18
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 1
Image Gallery
Parking Lot
Unfinished Railroad Parking Lot
- 6 total spaces
- 0 oversized spaces
- 38.82561411325664, -77.54880094029724
Lot on Featherbed Lane. One of two lots to access the Unfinished Railroad Trail and the Deep Cut Trail. One of several access point for the Second Manassas Loop Trail. Driving tour stop number four. Park in designated spaces only. No equestrian trailer parking.
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 0
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 0
- Total number of spaces
- 6
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 0
Image Gallery