Stones River National Battlefield

3501 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37129, USA

Address:	3501 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37129, USA
Phone:	+1 615-893-9501
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.7
Working:	8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

Steve Markos

I am a writer and photographer for National Park Planner and I visited Stones River National Battlefield in November 2014. Union General William Rosecrans had kept his men safe in Nashville since early November 1862, so long that President Lincoln himself was pushing for his removal if he did not go on an offensive soon. As a result, on December 26th he set off southeast towards Chattanooga, where major rail lines linked middle Tennessee with Atlanta. Standing in his way was the Confederacy’s main army in the west, General Braxton Bragg’s Army of the Tennessee. The Stones River National Battlefield preserves a small portion of the battlefield where the two armies met on December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863. It is located just northwest of downtown Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The battle gets its name from the Stones River, the river on which the final and most bloody fighting took place on January 2nd. The park includes a Visitor Center and Museum, the battlefield with six tour stops that explain the events that took place, the Stones River National Cemetery, and Fortress Rosecrans, the largest earthen fort built during the Civil War. This was built after the victorious Union troops occupied Murfreesboro on January 5th. There are also 3-4 miles of hiking trails, not counting short trails that are part of a few battlefield tour stops. The Stones River National Battlefield grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center and Museum are open every day (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 8 AM to 5 PM. The park also holds special events from May through December. These include musket and cannon firing demonstrations, Ranger led walks and bike rides around the battlefield, and battle anniversary celebrations. There is no fee to enter the park.

Mike Marion

I have visited most all of the National Battlefield parks and must say that this is the most disappointing I have visited. The Rangers and staff are quite friendly and helpful and the visitors center is impressive but the battlefield itself was all but meaningless. Its nice that the park is multi-use but parking at most stops on the tour was filled with the cars of joggers. Stones River was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War and the park can only manage 6 stops on the tour? Stop 1 – Union troops struggled to sleep in the freezing mud. Stop 2 – Union troops fiercely defended their position. Stop 3 – Union troops a established a defensive line... Confederates entering the cotton field were met with cannon fire. Stop 4 – Retreating Union troops burst from the woods followed by Confederates … The Chicago Board of trade battery poured volley after volley into the the Grey ranks. Stop 5 – This was the only Union position held throughout the first day. Stop 6 (When we finally found it!) – Union troops hid behind stone and rail breastworks as men fled across the river followed by Confederates. Union cannon firing from above McFadden ford halted the Confederates with shot, shell and canister. The morning of the first day is completely ignored! Why were the Union troops fleeing? The Confederates seem to have just showed up so that the brave Union troops would have something to do that day!

Woode Hawkins

This review should not be construed as an indictment of this marvelous historical place but of one individual who works there. Youll know who you are if you read this. My wife and I had parked at the visitor center inside a gate which we had been told by uniformed personnel was "never" locked. I freely admit that we pushed the envelope of the letter of the law which says the park closes at sundown. Having admitted the error of our ways I will say that I would have taken without complaint a warning, lecture, or even a citation. Here is what you chose to do, instead. You sat in your car on the other side of the gate and watched as we loaded our bikes. You sat there for a good two minutes after we had pulled up to a gate that you knew we needed to pass through. You then slowly and deliberately turned around and DROVE OFF. Your action moved the situation from judicious and prudent law enforcement into the realm of first class a**holiness. You are one of the reasons the world in general has come to resent what Mark Twain called "insect authority." Ive always wondered where he came up with that term. If I meet him in Heaven someday I intend to ask him. In case he didnt make it to Heaven, maybe you can ask him.

Nicholas Smith

For someone more familiar with the battlefields from the Eastern Theatre, where the battles were fought around obvious landmarks, I was fairly impressed with what would otherwise seem to the casual viewer a series of empty fields. The park service has erected some good signs and have a driving tour where you can phone in for the audio description. One of the most intriguing features was a monument erected by veterans of the battle near the burial sites of a few dozen comrades. It seems disconnected from the field, though it was a very important locale. Instead of being put up by vets 30 years later, it was erected only 6 mos. after the battle while the war raged on.

Shawneen Kelly

The first time I went the rangers were about to do a guided tour, they gave demonstrations and a lot of information during the walking tour. The visitors center is beautiful and gives a pretty good picture of life at the time. On the weekends they have additional demonstrations,like firing a time weapon by stopwatch. I was a den leader for a local boy scout pack and they did a special cannon demonstration with the boys. The boy scouts also get to place flags on the gravesites for Veterans Day. One can also take a self guided tour where you call a phone number from your cell phone and type in your stop for additional information.

Topher Kersting

We had a great time at Stones River National Battlefield. The Junior Ranger program was great--some of the activities were quite different from other national parks--and the ranger and staff were very helpful. Unlike most other Junior Ranger badges, the Stones River badge is metal and very cool. As it was a Tuesday visit on a cold day, the battlefield was almost empty, but it gave us a great idea of what it was like during the battle 150 years ago. This was well worth the drive from Chattanooga, but Id recommend it to anyone looking for an activity on the drive between Nashville and Chattanooga.

Lissette Lister

This park was the place of my very first hike. They have over 7 miles of hiking trails in their beautiful and historical fields. In these same fields a lot of brave men fought and died in the civil war. This park gives me a sense and of what soldiers went through the back then and it confirms who we are as a nation and as a town. This park is very well maintain with a nice guest house with bathrooms, water and a gift shop. This place is very peaceful.

Gary Jones

This national park is amazing! I love the small feel of it, yet there is loads of information and history. The staff were so helpful and loved my kids. We got the Junior Ranger activity books, went to all the different stops, and after they had them completed, they were sworn in as Junior Rangers and received a metal pin and a ranger badge, for free I might add :) It was the best history lesson my kids have had!

Kim Everson

My kids really dove into the Junior Ranger program to earn badges. Even though the Visitor Center closed and they couldnt earn their patch without answering several questions from the battleground, I was astounded they took the effort to find the answers as we did the amazing cell phone tour just for the fun of it. The rangers were so helpful and enthusiastic- it rubbed off! What an amazing National Park.