The Ozarks are full of treasures and evidence of our culture’s history. Find them in the Ozarks, from Forts to Battlefields throughout Arkansas and Missouri.

The American Civil War–from 1861 to 1865–forever shaped the course of our country. It was a politically-fueled confrontation between the North and the South. A variety of factors ranging from opposing views on slavery to economic challenges, put the country at odds.

Over the course of four years–more than 10k confrontations were recorded (and probably many more skirmishes that have been lost to history). Of those–somewhere between 50 and 60 are considered to be civil war battles.

Civil war battles occurred across the US. However, the Southern states bared the brunt of the battles. The US Civil War began in 1861 at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, but the battles soon spread across the South–including Missouri and Arkansas

Whether you’re a history buff or a family looking for an opportunity to learn about America’s past, here are a few places to explore civil war history in the Ozarks.

1. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield in Republic, Missouri

Just a few miles outside of Springfield, Missouri, is where the first battle West of the Mississippi took place. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is home to a visitors center, tour road, battlefield, and hiking trails.

Here’s a look at what you can do at Wilson’s Creek:

• Take a Self-Guided Driving Tour with Audio Narration
• Take a Walk or Ride a Bike on Multi-Use Nature Trails
• Go Horseback Riding on 7 Miles of Equestrian Trails
• Visit the Ray House (Historic Civil War POI)
• Experience a Living History Demonstration

While you’re here–make sure to leave time for a stop at the Bass Pro Shops HQ. Inside, you’ll find the NRA museum with an impressive collection of civil war-era muskets and rifles. But be prepared, the Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri, is much more than a retail experience. In addition to an expansive retail footprint, it also includes Wonders of Wildlife–an immersive experience that’s hard to define. It’s one part museum, one part aquarium–all parts fun and engaging.

2. Pea Ridge National Military Park in Pea Ridge, Arkansas

Pea Ridge, Arkansas, is located just on the border between Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. It’s also historically significant–known for the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern–the battle that saved Missouri from the Union.

Pea Ridge (the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern) was the most significant battle fought West of the Mississippi during the United States Civil War. Today, 43,000 acres serve as a monument to the 23,000 soldiers who fought to decide Missouri’s fate.

What to do at the Pea Ridge National Military Park:

• Take a Tour (Both Guided and Independent Options Available)
• Earn a Jr. Ranger Badge (ages 4-9, ages 10-18) with
• Take a Hike on Williams Hollow Loop
• Take a cycling tour following the Pea Ridge tour road.

3. Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith, Arkansas

While Fort Smith, Arkansas, isn’t the home to a significant civil war battle–it is the edge of the Western Frontier and provides plenty of historical points of interest, which include a restored fort and courthouse used during the Civil War.

Things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas:

• Explore Civil War History with a Hands-On Scavenger Hunt
• See Exhibits and Learn about History at the Fort Smith National Historic Site Visitor’s Center
• Tour Historic Civil War-Era Buildings

4. Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Prairie Grove, Arkansas, is home to one of the most intact Civil War battlefields in the nation. It was also the final significant civil war engagement in Northwest Arkansas. The Prairie Grove battlefield hosts re-enactments on scheduled days in December.

What to do in Prairie Grove:

• Visit the Battlefield Museum
• Explore Historic Buildings like the Hindman-Henson House and the Latta House.
• Take a Guided Tour of the Battlefield
• Hike Trails in the Nature Conservation Area

Plan Your Trip to the Ozarks & Explore Civil War History

The Ozarks region extends across the Southern half of Missouri and the Northern one-third of Arkansas, touching just the eastern edges of Kansas and Oklahoma. Inside the Ozarks region, you’ll find mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, and depths of rich history.

What you might not know is that the Ozarks region is the home to the first Civil War battle West of the Mississippi and the edge of the Western Frontier–both significant points of interest. Plan your next family vacation to the Ozarks region and step back in history with museums and historic battlefields dedicated to the war between the North and the South.

Other Notable Civil War History Experiences in the Ozarks

📌 If you enjoy civil war history, don’t miss the sunset ceremony at Big Cedar Lodge on Table Rock Lake in Ridgedale, Missouri. Every evening through daylight savings, the lodge fires a civil war era cannon and guests raise a glass to a toast.

📌 You can also get a firsthand look at the muskets and rifles used during the civil war at the National Rifle Association museum located inside the Grandaddy Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri.

📌 Sneak a peek at this unique civil war era town stuck in time. Explore historic Cane Hill, Arkansas and see this treasure for yourself. Enjoy hiking trails including remnants of the trail of tears, take a tour through over a dozen historic buildings, and check out a one of a kind museum.