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Nearby Parks:
Beartown State Park
Watoga State Park
Calvin Price State Forest
West Virginia State Fish Hatchery
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| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
 | Be the 1st to Review Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
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| Trails: |
| Big Spring TrailThe trail begins at the west overlook and ends at a mountain spring. This is a dead-end trail down the mountain side which offers pure spring water and a strenuous climb back.Length: 1/3 mile with very steep grades.Travel time: 20-30 minutes.
Cranberry Bogs TrailHikers can start at the park office and end at the south picnic area. This is the most popular trail in the park, winding through a mountain bog where interesting plants, tall pines, and wildlife can be seen. This trail is suitable for cross-country skiing in the winter.Length: 1/2 mile mostly level, easy walking.Travel: 30-45 minutes
Horse Heaven TrailThis trail starts at the pump house near the cannon and ends at the south picnic area. The trail follows a series of small cliffs and gives acccess to Horse Heaven Rock, where horses killed in the battle of Droop Mountain were disposed of.Length: 1/4 mile with a moderate grade.Travel Time: 15-20 minutes.
Minie Ball TrailThis is the most rigorous park trail, located in a ravine where Union soldiers climbed the mountain to attack the Confederates waiting above. The trail begins at the first sharp curve in the road near the office and ends at the tower.Length: 1/2 mile with very long, steep grades.Travel: 30-45 minutes
Musket TrailOriginating near the park office this trail follows a steep hillside. Stumps of American Chestnut trees alive during the time of the battle remain. The trail ends at the lookout tower.Length: 1/2 mile with a moderate grade.Travel: 20-30 minutes
Old Soldier TrailThis easy trail follows an old road grade which passes near the spot where Major Robert Augustus Bailey was shot while trying to rally his men around the Confederate Flag. The trail begins near the battlefield monuments and ends at the stone shed near the tower. It is an excellent cross country ski trail in the winter.Length: 2/3 mile trail is level throughout and easy walkingTravel: 45-60 minutes
Overlook TrailThe trail begins at the pump house near the cannon and ends at the park office. The trail follows a series of rock cliffs. Following the cliffs visitors can observe several small caves, an old bear den, a scenic overlook and Civil War trenches.Length: 1/2 mile with moderate gradeTravel: 20-30 minutes
Tower TrailThis trail begins at the park office and ends at the stone shed near the lookout tower. This is the shortest route from park office to the lookout tower.Length: 1/2 mile, level to moderate gradesTravel: 10-15 minutes. |
| History of the Area: |
| Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is located in the Greenbrier River Valley north of Lewisburg and is the site of West Virginia's last significant Civil War battle. On November 6, 1863, the federal army of Brigadier General William W. Averell, in his second attempt to disrupt the Virginia-Tennessee Railroad at Salem, Virginia, faced again the Confederate troops of Brigadier General John Echols. Throughout the morning, Echols' smaller confederate army held the high ground and blocked the highway with artillery, but in the afternoon was overwhelmed by the crushing advance of federal infantry on his left flank. Following the collapse of his lines, General Echols retreated south into Virginia with the remnants of his command. Federal Troops occupied Lewisburg on November 7, but being burdened with prisoners and captured livestock, General Averell elected to return to his headquarters in Beverly, West Virginia, waiting until early December to lead a third and ultimately successful attack on the vital railroad. Operations in the Shenandoah Valley in the spring of 1864 drew remaining confederate troops out of west Virginia, thus leaving the new state securely under the control of the federal government for the remainder of the war. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Time Trail, West Virginia, November 1997 Schedule - The West Virginia Archives and History web site offers detailed information on the state's history, outlines the documents available in the State Archives, and provides assistance in conducting... | | Books by W. Lynn Seldon Jr. - Travel Writer & Photographer - Home. Services. Articles. Books. Photos. Contact Us. Excerpt...Country Roads of West Virginia Ordering Information. Chapter 6--The Potomac Highlands. From Charleston, take I-77 south to Route... | | Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park - The West Virginia State Park system is comprised of over 80,000 acres which have been set aside to protect regions of natural wonder, showcase scenic beauty, and preserve sites of historical... |
| Area Attractions: |
| The Civil War Discovery Trail links more than 300 sites in 16 states to inspire and to teach the story of the Civil War and its haunting impact on America. The Trail, an initiative of the Civil War Trust, allows visitors to explore battlefields, historic homes, railroad stations, cemeteries, parks and other destinations that bring history to life. For more information on the Civil War Discovery Trail and other programs of The Civil War Trust,call 1-800-CWTRUST. |
| Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Four Seasons Outfitters
190 Middletown St
Richwood, WV
(304) 846-2862
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| Directions: |
| Located in the southeastern part of the state, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is located on Route 219, 15 miles south of Marlinton and 27 miles north of Lewisburg. |
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