-
The BlogBiographies
-
Videos
Explore by State
Battlefield | National Park
Cowpens National Battlefield
The Cowpens Battlefield commemorates Daniel Morgan’s victory over Banastre Tarleton on January 17, 1781.
South Carolina
Know Before You Go
Begin your park experience at the visitor center. Here, you will find information on the park, the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution, and the Battle of Cowpens. Rangers or volunteers at the information desk are glad to help you.
Primary facilities in the visitor center are an eighteen-minute live-action theater film, “Cowpens: A Battle Remembered” (shown on at the top of the hour); a museum combining informative text with weaponry; and a bookstore (operated by America’s National Parks) offering visitors over 100 publications and theme-related items for sale on the battle and the Revolutionary War. Bookstore hours are the same as the visitor center. Restrooms are located across the breezeway from the visitor center.
There is also a picnic area with 22 individual tables that are available on a first come/first served basis, and a picnic shelter that is available to rent - maximum capacity is 50. Picnic area hours are 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Planning to walk these hallowed grounds? Take a free tour of the events and locations that shaped the American Revolution with our official web tour or The Liberty Trail app!
Operating Hours
Grounds
The visitor center parking lot is open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. The front gate closes at 5:00 pm. Loop Road closes at 4:30 pm. After hours parking is located 1 mile east at the intersection of Hwy 11 and Hayes Road and is open dawn to dusk. Visitor Center is open Wed - Sunday 9 - 5.
Standard Hours
Monday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Trails and Trailhead Parking
The trailhead parking lot on the eastern boundary of the park is open dawn to dusk for additional pedestrian and bicycle access to the battlefield trail.
Standard Hours
Monday: Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday: Sunrise to Sunset
Wednesday: Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday: Sunrise to Sunset
Friday: Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday: Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday: Sunrise to Sunset
Restrooms, Picnic Area, and Auto Loop Road
The public restroom facilities, picnic shelter, and auto loop tour road close at 4:30 PM. They are closed on New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Standard Hours
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Exceptions
Columbus Day
10/12/2027 - 10/12/2027
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thanksgiving Day
11/26/2026 - 11/26/2026
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Christmas Day
12/25/2026 - 12/25/2026
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
New Year's Day
01/01/2027 - 01/01/2027
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
01/18/2027 - 01/18/2027
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Washington's Birthday
02/15/2027 - 02/15/2027
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Labor Day
09/06/2027 - 09/06/2027
Monday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Admission & Tickets
There are no entrance fees for this park.
Directions
From I-85 S, take exit 83. Turn left on Hwy 110, approx. 8 miles. Turn right on Hwy 11. The park is about a half mile on the right. From I-85 N, take exit 92, turn right toward Chesnee on Hwy 11, approx.10 miles on the left. From I-26 E, take exit 5, turn left toward Chesnee on Hwy 11, approx. 20 miles on the right. From I-26 W, take I-85 North, take exit 83. Turn left on Hwy 110, approx. 8 miles. Turn right on Hwy 11. The park is about a half mile on the right.
Accessibility & Amenities
- Assistive Listening Systems
- Audio Description
- Baby Changing Station
- Bicycle - Rack
- Braille
- Captioned Media
- First Aid Kit Available
- Food/Drink - Snacks
- Gifts/Souvenirs/Books
- Grill
- Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
- Information
- Information - Maps Available
- Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present
- Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board
- Large Print
- Parking - Auto
- Parking - Bus/RV
- Picnic Shelter/Pavilion
- Picnic Table
- Restroom
- Restroom - Accessible
- Tactile Exhibit
- Toilet - Flush
- Trash/Litter Receptacles
- Water - Bottle-Filling Station
- Water - Drinking/Potable
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Wheelchairs Available
Things To Do
At Cowpens Battlefield National Park, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of the American Revolutionary War. Explore the well-preserved battlefield where the decisive Battle of Cowpens took place in 1781. Walk along the trails that wind through the landscape, marked with informative signage providing insights into the strategies and significance of the battle. Engage with interactive exhibits and ranger-led programs to gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in American history. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply seeking to appreciate the sacrifices of those who fought for independence, Cowpens Battlefield National Park offers a compelling and educational experience for all.
Programming
OVVI Junior Ranger
The Junior Ranger Program for Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail encourages you to get out and explore!
This trail was the primary route used during the American Revolution by patriots from across the frontier to reach the key patriot victory of the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780. The trail today consists of a 330-mile Commemorative Motor Route, an extensive network of disconnected hiking trails, and great site partners throughout Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Use this free Junior Ranger book while visiting one of the partner sites, walking along one of the trails, or driving along the motor route.
Once completed, there are three ways to submit the book for the badge!
1. Submit the book at one of our participating site partners.
2. Mail the book to our headquarters at 338 New Pleasant Road, Gaffney, SC 29341.
3. Email us scans or images of the completed book at ovvi_information@nps.gov.
While exploring the trail at our partner sites, don't forget to ask if they also have a Junior Ranger or similar program that you can complete for additional prizes!
Become a Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Junior Ranger
The Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Junior Ranger Program features five units of the National Park Service! You can receive a Jr. Ranger book at either of the five sites or print the book from home or contact the park to have them mail you a copy. You can then complete the actvitities, and earn a Junior Ranger badge! Learn more about units related to the American Revolution.
Complete the Booklet by Visiting the Parks
You may complete this booklet by exploring the five sites in person. Before you visit make sure you know when each site is open. Once you have completed the booklet show it to one of the rangers at any of the parks to recieve your badge!
Complete the Booklet at Home
Even if you can't visit all five sites or if you do not have time to complete the booklet during your visit, you can still complete this Junior Ranger booklet at home. Once you have completed the booklet you may email it or send it by mail to one of the five sites. A ranger from that site will mail you you Southern Campaign Junior Ranger badge!
Cowpens Junior Ranger Program
Junior Rangers explore, learn, and protect. The Cowpens National Battlefield Junior Ranger program is for ages 6 - 10+.
How to Become a Junior Ranger...
Step 1
Attend one Park Ranger or Park Volunteer-led program, or an audio-visual program in the Visitor Center. Check with a staff member for program times and locations. In order to answer the Visitor Center questions in this booklet, look carefully at or listen to the exhibits. Remember that other people may be visiting, so be quiet and respectful.
Step 2
Complete the number of activities in the booklet for your age group.
After completing steps 1 - 2, take your booklet to a staff member at the front desk of the Visitor Center to receive your certificate and badge. Have Fun!
Cowpens National Battlefield Images
Sunrise on Green River Road
Image Credit
Visitor Center and US Monument in the Fall
Image Credit
Robert Scruggs House
Image Credit
Washington Light Infantry Monument in the Fog
Image Credit
Tom Turkey
Image Credit
Militiaman Firing Musket
Image Credit