Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park is located in Leesburg, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Maryland.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park commemorates the site of the Battle of Ball's Bluff, which took place on October 21, 1861 during the American Civil War.
One good reason to visit the park is for its historical significance. The Battle of Ball's Bluff was a small but significant engagement, and the park offers visitors a chance to learn about the events that took place there. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the battlefield, which includes interpretive signs and markers.
Some specific points of interest include the cemetery, where the remains of Union soldiers killed in the battle were originally interred, and the Harrison House, which was used as a hospital during the Civil War. The park also has several hiking trails, including a trail that connects to the nearby Potomac Heritage Trail.
Interesting facts about the area include that the battle was a disastrous defeat for Union forces, with over 1,000 casualties compared to just 155 for the Confederate army. The battle also had political ramifications, as it contributed to the removal of Union General George B. McClellan from his position as commander of the Army of the Potomac.
The best time of year to visit the park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months. Admission to the park is free.
Sources:
- "Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park." Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. https://www.novaparks.com/parks/balls-bluff-battlefield-regional-park
- "Battle of Ball's Bluff." Civil War Trust. https://www.civilwar.org/learn/articles/battle-balls-bluff
Weather Forecast
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Turtle Run Campsite
|
||
Turtle Run
|
||
Chisel Branch
|
||
Chisel Branch Campsite
|
||
Marble Quarry Hiker-Biker Campsite
|
||
Marble Quarry
|
Red Rock Wilderness Park
Carrvale Park
Good Times Park
Ida Lee Park
Harper House Park