Stones River National Battlefield

I really enjoy coming here for walks because the area is very large, open, and peaceful. It’s perfect for long walks without feeling crowded. I recently visited during the 163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Stones River Living History Event, and it was a great experience. There were historical reenactments, including cannon firing demonstrations, and many participants dressed as soldiers from that era. It felt immersive, educational, and well organized. Overall, this is a great place for walking, relaxing, and learning about history. I highly recommend visiting, especially during special events like this one.

Nice piece of history here. I always enjoy learning about these places and arrived as they were starting a reenactment. Nice little museum and gift shop. There is also the cemetery across the street that is quite humbling in my opinion. Check it out sometime!!

Gorgeous clean place to explore. Lots of history to study. Super nice visitor center and auto tour.

The re-enactment and narration was great. Following the trails and the cemetery was emotional and heavy in the heart.

The hubby and I love visiting historical places and this did not disappoint! The grounds are well maintained, ample parking at the visitor's center, and lots of history.

Very nice visitor center and very informative attendees. Cost is free. You can drive or walk the main tour. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Pretty immersive experience. I can clearly see how the landscape would give an advantage in battle. Especially around the "Slaughter Pen" area. I expected a lot less and ended up spending almost three hours touring the multiple exhibits and using the phone guide system. There are 5 designated stops for parking and touring and multiple trails that are marked and clear. Ticks are out in abundance today but other than that this was a great little history buffer.

Staff was friendly and helpful. Appreciate the tour stops with narration. Helps to paint the picture better. The Slaughter Pen was interesting.

I love walking around the battlefield. I always go with a friend because I am horrible with directions and would get lost easily lol. It's a very scenic walk in the woods. I love all the nature around too. Definitely one of my favorite spots to walk.

My spouse likes civil war battle sites. This place was alright compared to Fort Donelson. You had to drive everywhere and I think we missed 2 sites as couldn't find on map. We needed to kill time as we needed to leave Nashville hotel and didn't have Grand Ole opry tickets til 7 pm show.

Great informational place to stop and see. The road to the visitor center is along the historic trail of tears. There are trails to walk with things to read along the way. A little gift shop inside, and a cemetery across the way.

This park has a visitor center with a museum, a movie about the battle, a bookstore, and bathroom facilites. I would highly recommend visiting the museum first if you're not familliar with the battle, as it gives context about the battle. There's a driving tour that you can take with stops that have audio to really set the scene. While the park itself is small as there's urban development on parts of the battle field, it doesn't take much to imagine the devastation that occured here. The NPS park ranger explained that some battlefields are for preservation, and some are for education, which explains why this park's footprint is a bit smaller than others. There's also trails if you want to get some good hiking in. It's also great for bikers.

The materials here talked up this Civil War site as if it was a big deal. I'm no history expert, but the name certainly didn't ring out to me in the manner of a Fort Sumter, an Antietam, a Vicksburg, etc. Nonetheless, the history was interesting, with a visitor center detailed the piecemeal park which includes a couple of off-site locations of significance. Walking around the main train yields some more historical plaques and a view of the trains lumbering by; apparently the railroad was a significant feature in the Civil War era as well, making an interesting connection. The park is free, and it's worth coming.

Stones River Battlefield is always a peaceful place for jogging or biking. The visitors center is a great place to learn about Murfreesboro's role in the Civil War. The museum consists of a walk through area that takes about 30 minutes to see all the exhibits, and a short film. The park ranger s are always helpful in answering questions about the history and the area. The battlefield includes an interesting driving route that helps provide a great perspective on the Battle. Definitely recommend stopping by the visitor's center to learn more about this important piece of American history.

Unfortunately many parts of the historic battlefield have given way to urban sprawl. Hopefully not forever. But what the park has is well maintained with nice walking paths and driving tours. The visitor center has a nice museum and well stocked book and gift store.

Do not pass up the Stones River National Battlefield! Awesome historical site and all free! Came to Murfreesboro to visit a friend and needed something to do during the day while she was at work. Sure enough Stones River National Battlefield was just around the corner and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The Stones River is a National Park and an awesome place for anyone to visit. Be sure to download the National Park Service app as it provides a map, self-guided tour information, and audio that talks about each site. Your first stop should be the visitor's center which includes a museum, knowledgeable park rangers, and gift shop. The park rangers were friendly and have a wealth of knowledge. One ranger asked where we were from and you could imagine he wasn't pleased when we told him we were from the Union (Michigan). Spoiler - the Union won the battle at Stones River. Loved the joking spirit of the park ranger and he then explained the museum and gave a brief overview of the park. The museum was great - tons of information and different sections and artifacts that gives you information of how the battle started and ended. Gift shop had a ton of cool stuff as well. Another park ranger shared where he has been stationed across the country. He also asked where we were from and he gave some Michigan facts about the places he was stationed when in MI. There are about 6 major sites that have audio information. You could bike the sites but your car is probably the easiest to get around. You have to cross major roads and also leave the main site to go to the last stop which was a few minute drive away. The self-guided tour was interesting but also sad since many locations were gravesites. A somber place but a place that should be appreciated and honored. We left our car to explore at each site, there is side parking at each stop. We stayed at each location for about 10-30 minutes. Each site also had informational signs that shared history of the location. We spent a whole afternoon exploring - a few hours at least.

If you like learning more about Civil War history, then you won't want to miss Stones River National Battlefield Park in Murfreesboro, TN. The self-guided driving tour lets you enjoy the park at your own pace and walking trails are also available. The nearby Stones River National Cemetery is also of great interest.

I find it so incredibly cool that you can find these spots surrounded by the modern world, spots that in days list to the past found brother against brother, countryman fighting countryman, both holding within them that their cause was just and right. I often marvel at the tranquility in these battlefields of days gone, where men fell in battle, yet it is as if there spirits bring peace to this spot, where the violence perhaps was spent in this area on those dark days in the past. This park sits on 570 acres in Rutherford County, Tennessee, just northwest of Murfreesboro, Tennessee (and twenty-eight miles southeast of Nashville, Tennessee). This battle occurred on December 31, 1863 and lasted until January 2, 1863, resulting in s strategic Union victory. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, more than three thousand mem lay dead on the field, nearly 16,000 more were wounded. The two armies sustained nearly 24,000 casualties, which was almost one-third of the 81,000 men engaged. I would recommend a visit here.

Well if you are interested in Civil War American history, this national park is a must visit. The battle that happened on this site was one of the worst battles of the entire Civil War. Percentage wise more lives were lost at this battle than any other with the exception of Gettysburg. The site is very large and has a combination of driving and walking trails with audio commentary that can be accessed via your cellphone. I have to say that when you walk these historical battlefields and ponder the amount of bloodshed that occurred while walking through the same woods and trails these men were fighting in it really brings things in to perspective. The "Slaughter Pen" site on the battlefield was incredibly interesting as at that location the confederate army was pinned down for a number of hours taking fire from all sides causing the loss of 40% of the soldiers in that engagement alone. The engagement only ended when Union forces ran out of ammunition and had to retreat. Standing there amongst those limestone outcroppings amidst the trees and realizing what happened there 100+ years ago was pretty moving. I crouched down to get a perspective on what it may have felt like taking cover under fire and I can't imagine the carnage those men must have experienced. Anyway, this National Park is well worth a visit if you are in the Murpheesboro , TN area and enjoy Civil War history. Enjoy and wishing you all a great stay in Tennessee!

Very nice battlefield park. The Rangers are eager to give you a lot of information about the Park and its historical importance. There are lots of trails and many of the parts of the park are not contiguous, so be prepared to road trip around to ensure that you see all the elements of the park system. Be ware that much of the park is being encroached by some serious urbanization and many people use the trails to walk their dogs. Drive carefully and make sure you keep your eyes peeled as you go to the different sites.

Be sure to stop in the visitors center and chat with the park ranger, he's chatty and a wealth of knowledge. There is also a nice mini museum that will give you the background on the battle that was fought here. Driving from point to point was easy to do. Murfreesboro should be proud of this area. A ton of US history here

Ever since 1989, I have explored this battlefield and for the most part, have been slightly impressed. The park is small and when I started going there, the visitor center did not impress. Recently, they have rennovated the visitor center and it is very informative. In comparison to Shiloh and Chickamauga, the place is pretty much a postage stamp where the other two places are huge parks. This is not the fault of Stones River Battlefield. Commercial and residential interests overtook the land of the actual battle. The battle here was just as monumental in terms of numbers of combatants, casualties and square miles and the more notable parks. Go here. you will learn a lot. And, if you can get from the gift shop battle maps showing the true extent, you will be surprised. I wish I could offer guided tours of the surrounding area.

Stones River National Battlefield is a national park which remembers one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The park includes a cemetery, greenways and the museum/visitor center. The visitor center is a great place to start upon arrival. They have a museum and you can watch a video. The day we came a lot was happening. We had someone teach us about their intricate code system and they even let me try some of the code. I had never seen a real life Civil War reenactment but I must say it was impressive. They had men in historically accurate uniforms who would fire off their rifles. This was one of the most memorable things I've seen at any national park. I have also been to the greenway with trails where Fortress Rosecrans used to stand. It has some nice walkable paths which in moderate weather can be a great opportunity to stretch your legs. This park is free to visit and is educational. A must-see for any history buff when you're in the Nashville area or just enjoy the outdoors.

Awesome auto tour and walking trails through the forest that take you back in time. This place has a ton of cannons. The graveyard is also pretty cool. They do reenactment presentations as well. Check it out if your in the Murfreesboro area. You won't be disappointed.

Stones River Battle occurred between December 31, 1862 and January 2, 1863. General Bragg's Confederates withdrew after the battle, allowing General Rosecrans and the Union army to control middle Tennessee. Murfreesboro also supposedly has the oldest standing Civil War Monument (the one Brantley and I are standing on the fence in front of) in the nation.

Such a neat little place in the heart of Murfreesboro! I've come here several times to walk the trails and the park is very well-kept. I recently had my engagement photos taken here back in the woods and have seen plenty of other people having photos taken, as well. Gorgeous scenery and lots of history to absorb. If you're looking for a nice walk, bike ride, or history lesson, this is the place for you!

Excellent place to explore. The plus is they have indoor air conditioning. You can take your dogs for a hike and explore with the whole family. The staff are always pleasant and patient. Very clean inside good place to learn history and even pick up a souvenir or two while your there.

Visited on Memorial weekend because it was not that far from the Lao New Year that was taking place up the same road. A very surreal moment when you read each posters and placards. There is actually more than one site to visit as the war was held in different corridors in Murfreesboro. It is also very spooky at night as you're driving by as the two small lanes road is pitch black.

it's not far from medical center. If y'all need sometime yourself this is a great park to walk-run there are many and kind people. I walked this week couple times and i really loved it.

Very interesting! Staff helpful and friendly. We took self tour and learned a lot from the "views of the states". Loved the visitors center-lots of pictures, artifacts, and hands on interaction.

Stones River National Battlefield is located 3501 Old Nashville Highway, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is owned and managed by the National Parks Service. It is the site of the Battle of Stones River, an 1862 Civil War battle that was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. An organization was established in 1896 to preserve the battlefield. The land was purchased by the federal government in 1927. The park today includes 700+ acres, including an impressive visitor's center, a national military cemetery. There are over seven miles of trail, however they are not well marked. Although we perused the visitors' center, and thought we were going to do the Boundary Trail, we didn't grab a map. The Boundary Trail is supposed to be 3.5 miles but we only did 2, somehow cutting a large portion off. We will be back, and be a little bit more prepared next time.

Beautiful to walk around. I was fortunate to be here with a tour group and so we had a park ranger to tell us about the history.

If you're into history, you should go check this out. And really just take a couple days to walk the Greenway! The Greenway is full of historical stuff from the war that happened right in Murfreesboro, and the Battlefield is just part of it! Definitely worth seeing, and if you have a National Park Passport Book, you can get it stamped!

Definitely go see this battlefield. Start in tourist center and read about the battle followed by a nine minute movie going into details. You can tour by foot, bike, or car. The battlefield is spread out so car might be your choice if you want to see it all. The actual Stones river is down the road and you don't want to miss this part. There was nobody else there besides us so I think most people skipped it. You can use your phone to do an audio tour at each stop. Also, you have to cross the street to see Hazen Brigade memorial (one of the oldest) in "Hell's Half Acre".

I have visited a number of Park Service National Battlefield Monuments and I highly recommend them. My experiences have been incredibly educational and emotionally moving. If you are in the Nashville area you should definitely think of visiting Stones River. Although not as famous as Gettysburg or Antietam, Stones River was an important battle which was tactically a draw but strategically a Union victory. Casualties were horrific. Over 30 percent of the 80,000 plus soldiers participating, Union and Confederate, were killed or wounded in 3 days fighting. Touring the battlefield and passing sites denoted by the participants as the Slaughter Pen, etc. is indeed sobering when one thinks of the soldiers, mostly boys in their late teens and early twenties, who were killed and maimed there. There is an excellent Visitors Center which has a video explaining the battle, a number of artifacts, and a very nice book store/gift shop. The staff were effusive and one person helped me in determining if one of my Great Grandfathers who was a Confederate infantryman fought in the battle (his unit wasn't there). There is a nice self guided tour of the battlefield that is narrated by an app which can be downloaded. Stones River Battlefield does not have the plethora of late nineteenth century monuments which are found at Gettysburg and other Civil War battlefields and I had the feeling that I was looking at the Battlefield more or less as it might have appeared at the time of the battle. I highly recommend a visit as it is less than 45 minutes from Nashville and is an important If little known part of our history.

This was very educational And enjoyable. We were greeted once inside the information center by a very knowledgeable Gentleman. He gave us a map and told us of the museum inside. We walked through and watched the nine minute video about the war. We downloaded the app for National Parks and took the driving tour of the grounds because of the hot weather. Another Ranger asked if we wanted to do the walking tour. The app told us about the history and grounds. Sad to think 23,000 Americans lost their lives here. We enjoyed the entire experience. Was really worth the time.

I decided to play tourist in my own city one day and ended up at the Stones River National Battlefield. I approached it as a way to see something new, get educated, and get some exercise at the same time. The Battlefield is set up as a driving tour and that is how most people do it. However, you can hike to most parts of the tour as they have decent trails to get you places. While I know it is a battlefield, I was surprised that there really isn't much to see here. For example, if you are taking your kids, they may get bored after seeing a couple of canons. It's a battlefield, with no battle and that can be hard to explain to kids. The visitor's center is great though and I highly recommend the movie and the exhibits as a first stop.

Located on Thompson Lane, off Northwest Broad Street, this trailhead provides access to the historic McFadden farm property.This was the site of one of the bloodiest engagements in the Battle of Stones River and is marked with an artillery monument. A 60-car parking area at this Northern terminus of the Murfreesboro Greenway System allows users to enter the 12-foot wide asphalt trail for walking, jogging, in-line skating, and bicycling. Access for small watercraft is available from this location Tony and I went hiking here on Saturday, March 30th, to enjoy the historic value, the River beauty and the battlefield. I am such a history buff and this is my type of thing. I love it. There are cannons, a lovely river, old spring site and a monument, as well as hiking trails and part of the GREENWAY...while we were there, visitors were fishing and climbing on rocks..It was such a lovely afternoon and a great way to enjoy Natures Free Playground and learn something at the same time!! I will go again and I hope you check it also.....

After driving from another national park this was a good way to end the day. Helpful and knowledgeable rangers and volunteers. The visitor center was clean and the displays were spectacular! The movie is a must to see before stepping into the actual battlefields. Across the street is the National Cemetery. With it being the holidays wreaths were put on the tombstones..... showing solidarity and they all men are created equal......

This is a neat spot. You can walk the trails or drive through. The museum is informative and contains old artifacts as well as interactive displays. The employees/volunteers are very helpful and kind. The gift shop has great prices. Some handcrafted items are for sale, as well as traditional items. There's also old style chocolate made long ago, that mars makes today using the old recipe. It's delicious! It looks like little tootsie rolls. It can be found by the register. Admission is free, but there is a donation box inside the museum. It is kid friendly.

On a nice weather day this is a lovely stop for outdoor walking trails on an important civil war battle site. The small museum might occupy you for 45 minutes or so even on a crummy weather day. The museum is small but very nicely done. I was greeted by a kind gentleman who provided me with a map and a brief overview of the historical significance of the place. There is a nine minute movie and many artifacts and placards to read on your own. There's a small gift shop and clean restrooms. A nice place for a family or anyone interested in US history. No charge but worth going a bit out of your way.

I broke down and cried. It was too sad to realize how much suffering took place during the pivotal battle from December 1862 through January 1863. I had learned about the Civil War as part of my high school education, but the war had never seemed so *real* to me as it did on that day. Stones River National Battlefield is a national park. There is no fee to enter the park or the visitor center, though they won't turn away donations. In the visitor center, you can watch a short documentary with subtitles that make the film more accessible for hearing-impaired persons. The museum exhibits do a very good job of explaining the battle and what happened and why it was so important to control supply lines during the war. There is a gift shop with many interesting items that correlate with the museum exhibits and the general Civil War theme. The restrooms are clean. You can walk or drive a tour through the preserved areas of the battlefield. Use your cell phone to hear explanations at some of the points of interest. The actual battlefield area includes much of the town of Murfreesboro, which has encroached over the past 150 years as the town grew. In the museum, there is a map that helped me understand the epic scale of the battlefield area. Modern roads and landmarks are superimposed over the vast area that marks the original site of battle. The places where I had been driving around for the past few days were all inside the area.

Though small, the National Battlefield is very informative. LOVE the audio tour and hope they expand it to all the other national battlefields. That really helped in understanding the layout. Stones River battle was a result of Lincoln pushing his generals to take some action against the Confederate army. Lincoln needed a victory to keep the war effort going. He was able to convince General Rosecrans's to leave Nashville and head for Murfreesboro and General Bragg's army. After 3 days of battle from 31 Dec - 2 Jan 1863, General Rosecrans was about to drive out the Confederate army and march in and capture Murfreesboro and in effect, the middle of TN. From here, the USA was able to launch further campaigns into the south. This bolstered northern morale and allowed the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation. I didn't know much about this battle and found it with the help of my NP passport book. History aside, this is a beautiful area and worth the time to stop and enjoy it. Highly recommended for all, but would recommend it in the office season to avoid the crowds due to the fact that the best way to cover the whole battlefield is by vehicle or bike. It was nice to be out and about with very few people around. I need to return because lack of time caused me to skip some sections. Good visitor center and staff.

We went on a reenactment day and took 2/3 tour walks around the battleground. The ranger and the volunteer reenactment was quite interesting and they even allowed us to participate. It was one the most devastating battles in the American Civil War and it's a battle that we should not forget. Freedom is not free and I thank all of those involved for keeping those who fought and died on this hallow ground alive in memory. May we never forget.

We came here with our children, ages 9 and 5 and we all had an outstanding time. The battlefield was having a re-enactment when we went, and the kids were just in awe of everything. They also did the Junior Ranger program and got an awesome Junior Ranger badge and pin. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and the museum was fascinating. I highly recommend this battlefield!

Not bad. Small scenery but a beautiful park to walk/bike. Museum/visitor center is worth a walk through.

So, I remember watching the ken burns civil war series with my dad when it was on tv, then he got it on vhs (old school). We've seen it alot. I didn't remember this particular battle. Therefore, I learned quite a bit at the museum (what I had time to read, anyways). There are quotes from Sam Watkins, "famous" to me, as he was one of the primary sources quoted in the documentary. Good staff. Amazing gift shop. There are paths and additional sites to walk and bike, too. We met a Lincoln impersonator in the parking lot, in full period dress. He said that he does that full time, and on that day he'd been speaking to some young adults in juvenile hall. Neat-o.

Very well maintained and lots to see. My wife and I walked the bulk of the tour and enjoyed it. The scenery is great. The staff is exceptional. They are knowledgeable and friendly. I am not a fan of the road and modernization that distracts from the events that took place at Stones River. However, that is not fault of those that maintain the Battlefield. I could not give it a full 5 star rating. If I give Stones River a 5 star rating, then what is Gettysburg?

Testing this is amazing you know the cell phones are built to do anything they are so much smarter than our mill capacity to use them to their full capability over and out

As a transplant to Tennessee this was a bit eerie to see an actual battle field along the side of the road! Although I wasn't planning on visiting this location, I was compelled to stop and reflect as well as remember those from the Union and Confederacy! Very humbling and solace! They also have actual Cannon along the side of the road! Yes 19th century cannon!

This is my favorite place to walk/hike through the woods. I especially like the Slaughter Pen area not only for the interesting limestone formations, but for the spirits of the soldiers who died there. I always meditate and pray for them and their families, it seems their spirits are still there. I hope the battleground will not be desecrated and taken over by all the development in the area!

Tell you the truth, I was a little disappointed in this park. Compared to Gettysburg, Shiloh or Chickamauga, there is but a small and fragmented part of the battlefield that has been preserved, notably the chilling "Slaughter Pen" the Round Forest, and McFladden's Farm. Some 80% of the battlefield is not preserved, and many of areas important to the fight at Stones River, such as the location of the start of the battle, the scene of much of Sheridan's fighting, and Breckinridge's charge have however been lost to development. This effectively prevents the park from telling an inclusive story. Additionally, Murfreesboro sprawl has not been kind to the park; a highway overpass cuts right in front of the Round Forest, and churches and homes peek out right across from the forest trails. The Visitor Center is pretty impressive, staffed with informative and helpful rangers and providing an concise but thorough description of how and why this battle was fought and its importance. The hike from the Slaughter Pen to the Round Forest is recommended with its path through fields and cedar forests and has a creepy vibe to it. Still all in all, I'd say this park is worth visiting if you happen to be in the Murfreesboro area and should take about 2-3 hours max.

Compared To A lot Of Battlefields,not much to see here. To much land has been loose to development

Excellent civil war battlefield. Cemetery and visitors center worth visiting as well. Nice place to hike.

A beautiful place to go for a walk, not to mention learn something new. I have seen All kinds of wildlife from deer and turkeys to squirrels and cardinals. The staff at the visitor center is also great. They have demonstrations and re-enactments from time to time. Overall this has become one of my favorite places to go in Murfreesboro.

Nice place to visit, intriguing if you like history. Also, many trails for walking/running

The museum in the Visitors Center is small, but the exhibits do a good job of telling the story of why a major civil war battle was fought at Stones River and why it was such a horrific experience for both sides. The staff at the visitors center were friendly and welcoming. The visitors center restrooms were clean and well-maintained. I do think that the paths through the battlefield could be better-labeled. Also, if you come during the warmer months, you may wish to bring bug spray. We were followed by clouds of mosquitoes as we tried to walk the battlefield paths. Overall, a very sobering experience. Independent of the politics of the Civil War, it's awful to imagine being a soldier asked to charge across an open field into a wave of cannon fire as the Confederate Troops were told to do. Or having to ford a freezing river in January with water up to your arms under enemy fire. Some of the Union soldiers forded that river *four times* in the course of one day's battle. Some of the soldiers were reportedly so exhausted that they lay down and fell asleep on the river bank right in the middle of the battle. Many of the wounded soldiers were apparently killed by the cold at night as they lay in the fields. According to a first-hand account from one of the Confederate soldiers, the Confederates dragged wounded men from both armies into lines and built fires between the rows to try to keep them alive through the night. A stirring bit of humanity in the midst of a hellish time. The National Cemetery and the Hazen Brigade Monument (built to commemorate the only Northern position that held during the first day of battle and the oldest intact Civil War Monument) are within walking or driving distance. Both are moving into their own way. At the Cemetery (where apparently only Northern troops are buried), I found it interesting to see that many soldiers from Tennessee were among the Union dead. Even though TN was a Confederate state, it was the last state to secede and the first to rejoin the union. I imagine that the Civil War here truly did split families or communities as sons (and a few daughters who disguised themselves as men) left to fight for either the Union or Confederate armies. We can all be thankful that we do not have to live in a time of such carnage and violence today. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is no fee to visit the park.