Guilford Courthouse National Military Park Belongs to Everyone
You and your class have a responsibility to take care of Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, to help us preserve it for present and future generations. All park visitors share this responsibility. Please practice the following courtesies during your visit.
Leave No Trace
This summarizes a park and popular outdoor recreation ethic reminding everyone to be responsible for their actions and leave the park unaltered so that it may be enjoyed by future generations. Students may be tempted to play with the rocks on our historic road, pick flowers or leaves, or take other mementos. Venturing into the woods can put students at risk of interaction with wildlife such as poisonous snakes. This field trip is an opportunity to educate your students on how removing objects or nature from historic sites permanently damages the resource for present and future generations.
Running, yelling, and horseplay are not appropriate on a battlefield
Many people envision a park as a place to play, but this battlefield witnessed the death and injury of hundreds of American and British soldiers. To respect their sacrifice, we request that you inform your students of the appropriate way to have fun through learning and listening.
What time of year is best to bring my students to the park?
Teachers must schedule their field trip at least two weeks before visiting. The park hosts field trips, staff rides, and Scouts year round, although the peak season is from September through May. The only time that the park does not allow field trips is the week of the Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse (March 15). Weekdays, especially Thursdays and Fridays offer the most staff for immersive field trips. Field trips begin no earlier than 9:00 AM. Standard field trips can last for three hours.
Dress appropriately for the weather! The majority of the field trip typically takes place outdoors where students will be exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Students will walk throughout the battlefield and should wear closed toed shoes that can be muddied. Please review the weather and prepare your students to wear the following seasonally appropriate wear: sunscreen, hats, jackets, raincoats, boots, or winter coats.
Will my school have a tour guide while they are in the park?
Groups that reserve a field trip at least two weeks in advance will have a park ranger or park volunteer leading the program. Teachers must reserve a field trip at least two weeks in advance, email guco_administration@nps.gov or call (336) 645-8492.
What kind of behavior is expected when my students are visiting the park?
Teachers and chaperones are responsible for ensuring that students are supervised and well behaved at all times. No visitor is allowed to climb on the monuments, because these are protected resources and damage is costly. All visitors must stay on the trails to prevent interaction with archeological resources or wild animals. Teachers should instruct students not to talk during the ranger presentations expect to ask or answer questions.
Where are the bus drop-offs?
Tours will begin at either the Battlefield Visitors Center located at 2332 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC 27410 or at the Hoskins Farm located at 2200 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC 27410. You will coordinate this with the park rangers when you reserve your trip.
Park and Visitor Center Hours
The Park and Visitors Center is Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Restrooms
There are restrooms in the Battlefield Visitors Center, and Tour Stop 6. We encourage students to use their school bathroom before visiting the park due to the limited volume of bathroom stalls at each location.
Food and Drinks
Food and/or drinks are not allowed into the Battlefield Visitors Center or Hoskins Farm to help protect our historic artifacts.
Picnicking is only permitted at the Hoskins Farm site.
Last updated: September 22, 2023