Experiences
The visitor center has a movie (25 minutes), a bookstore operated by America's National Parks, and a museum. The museum has artifacts from the battle and audio exhibits inside walk-in trees that resemble the 1780 battlefield.
Visitor Center for W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, featuring information about the Army Corps of Engineers, the wildlife of the Yadkin River Valley, and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. On September 28, 1780, hundreds of Patriot militia traveled down the Yadkin River on their way to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Their original route is now underneath the reservoir, and hiking and biking trails along the shoreline closely follow their route.
The Keller Interpretive Center at the Abingdon Muster Ground features displays and exhibits about southwest Virginia during the American Revolution, including the 400 Virginia patriots who left this spot on September 24, 1780 to join with fellow patriots at Sycamore Shoals and begin their march to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Seasonally available information, gift store, and all-year hiking trail on the Wolf Creek Trail.
Visitor Center for Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, part of the Tennessee State Parks system. Featuring a museum and lecture hall, gift store, recreation of a 1776 log fort, and hiking trail along the Watauga River.
Museum contains a reproduction 3-pounder cannon, other weapons and artifacts of the Revolutionary War period, and exhibits. "Cowpens: A Battle Remembered" is an 18-minute video shown hourly in the museum. American Battlefield Trust film on the American Revolution shown in the map room (18 minutes) Sales Outlet operated by America's National Parks offers books, postcards, and theme-related souvenirs.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Museum of North Carolina Minerals, located along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail at Gillespie Gap. Featuring displays about the history and geology of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and hiking trail along the Overmountain Victory NHT. On September 29, 1780, the Overmountain Men descended the east face of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Gillespie and Hefner Gaps using separate trails before reuniting at the Catawba River.
Programming
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 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!
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!
Experiences
Event Programming
