Pea Ridge National Military Park
Rate this placeNearby: Pea Ridge City Park Park Spring Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Pea Ridge National Military Park is a historic park located in northwest Arkansas, not in Texas.
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Summary
The park commemorates the Battle of Pea Ridge, which was fought on March 7-8, 1862, and was a key Union victory during the Civil War. Visitors can explore the battlefield and learn about the tactics and strategies used by both sides.
Some of the specific points of interest within the park include the Elkhorn Tavern, the Confederate Cemetery, and the overlooks that provide panoramic views of the battlefield.
Interesting facts about the park include that it was established in 1956 as one of the first national military parks in the United States, and that it contains the largest concentration of Civil War monuments in any national park.
The best time of year to visit Pea Ridge National Military Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is colorful. However, the park is open year-round, and summer visits can provide opportunities for ranger-led programs and special events.
In summary, Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas is a historic site that offers visitors the chance to learn about Civil War history and explore the battlefield. Key points of interest include the Elkhorn Tavern, Confederate Cemetery, and overlooks, and the park is best visited in the spring or fall.
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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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