Summary
The park is a great place for anyone who wants to learn about the state's role in the Civil War.
One of the main reasons to visit the site is to see the Battle of Pilot Knob Museum, which is located within the park. The museum is dedicated to the Battle of Pilot Knob, which took place on September 27, 1864, and showcases a range of artifacts and exhibits related to the battle.
Visitors can also see the restored Fort Davidson, which was the site of the Battle of Pilot Knob. The fort has been fully restored to its original state, complete with cannon emplacements and original earthworks.
In addition, the park offers visitors the opportunity to hike the 1.5-mile Fort Davidson Trail, which takes visitors through the battlefield and past several interpretive markers.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the Battle of Pilot Knob was one of the largest battles fought in Missouri during the Civil War. The battle resulted in over 1,000 casualties, including 1,200 Confederate soldiers who were taken prisoner.
The best time of year to visit Rebel State Historic Site is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded.
Overall, Rebel State Historic Site is a great place to visit for anyone interested in Missouri's Civil War history and is a must-see for history buffs visiting the state.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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