NPS Get ready to Explore! Thank you for making Stones River National Battlefield part of your education experience! We hope you and your students will enjoy your exploration of the battlefield while creating meaningful connections to this important piece of our national, state, and local history.
A member of our education team will meet you at Auto Tour Stop 2 (The Slaughter Pen) where they will lead your students into the rock outcroppings that sheltered Union soldiers and orient them to the Battle of Stones River story and the scavenger hunt hike. When you reach the end of your hike, a team member will join you again for our hands-on cannon drill program, Load, Ready, Fire. Prior to your visit, we hope you will have had a chance to begin you classroom activities focused on the American Civil War. We suggest a visit to the park is best suited for a time following your discussion of the causes of secession and the early war period through the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. No matter when you bring your students to the battlefield. Please take some time to help familiarize them with the terms in the glossary. The Safety and Logisitics sections below will help you plan for a safe and enjoyable battlefield experience.
artillery - the part of the army that uses cannons.
cavalry – The part of the army that rides horses. Confederate – Soldiers representing the states that seceded from the United States. They wore gray uniforms. earthwork - a wall or fort made by piling up dirt emancipation - the act of freeing or setting free fortification - a fort or other physical defense position infantry - the part of the army that walks or marches from place to place and uses muskets regiment - a group of a few hundred to one thousand soldiers. secede - to break away from Union – Soldiers fighting for the United States of America. They wore blue uniforms.
Your battlefield hike will cover about 1 ½ miles and take about 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete. Please follow the guidance below to ensure your class has a safe and enjoyable experience.
Some trails are paved while others are gravel or dirt. Our staff can assist in planning a route for students with accessibility needs.
NPS Image Route MapLeading Your Battlefield Hike Follow the directions below and use to safely lead your students to the locations where they can complete the Battlefield Scavenger Hunt.
Bus will drop off at the pull-off parking area. Once the drop-off is complete, the bus can go to Tour Stop 4 or the visitor center parking to await the group’s arrival.
Students should exit the bus and pass around the front to walk in the grass to the paved trail. Follow the route on the mapand direct students to the exhibits where they can complete their scavenger hunt questions. Exhibit 1 - "Boys, you must get out of here."Question 4 directs students to carefully enter the rock outcroppings. Have adults lead the way and stay on the ground! Direct students not to climb on or jump from the rocks. Exhibit 3: Waiting Anxiously for Tomorrow’s FateExhibit 4: Exploring the Promise of Freedom
Cross the tour road at the Tour Stop 3 parking lot and follow the gravel trail to find the next exhibit. Cross as a group with adult guides monitoring for oncoming vehicles!
Exhibit 5: This Far, But No FartherContinue walking on the dirt trail until you reach a paved road that is now only used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Turn right and follow the road and then merge onto a narrower paved trail which takes you to Tour Stop 4 and the exhibit near the cannons.It’s a good idea to post an adult at the intersection of the dirt trail and old tour road to ensure everyone turns right. Exhibit 6: "Stand Fast!"Follow the trail that runs through the artillery exhibit to the Pioneer Brigade earthworks. Caution students and adults to stay on the trail! Climbing on the earthworks can damage them.Exhibit 7: Digging In!After Your HikeIf you take a restroom break at our visitor center, send students in small groups of 4-5, and monitor their behavior. The picnic area is first come, first served and cannot be reserved. We will issue you trash bags and ask that you place them near our public trash cans when full. We ask that you explore the museum in groups of no more than 25 at a time. |
Last updated: October 5, 2026