Thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers battled back and forth across the woods and fields of the Willis Cole Plantation March 19, 1865, during the opening phases of the largest battle ever fought in North Carolina. Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site now has trails through the area allowing visitors greater access to the site of this battle.
USA Today ranks Bentonville Battlefield as one of “10 Great Places to Hike through Civil War History” because of these trails.
A one-and-a half mile loop trail guides visitors from the parking area past Union and Confederate trenches and through the field crossed by both armies in some of the heaviest fighting of the battle. An additional trail cut to Union XVII Corps trenches on the eastern edge of the battlefield brings the total trails length to nearly three and a half miles.
Bentonville’s trails has become part of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail which stretches 1,175 miles from the Great Smokies to the Outer Banks.
Trails are open 7 days a week from Dawn to Dusk - pets are welcome as long as they are on a leash.
PLEASE follow the signs on the trails to protect the history of the breastworks.
Restrooms and visitor center are open Tuesday through Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM
90% of the caches are on the walking trails the others are accessible via the driving tour of the battlefield.