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 Big Spring Trail The 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 Trail Hikers 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 Trail This 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 Trail This 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 Trail Originating 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 Trail This 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 walking Travel: 45-60 minutes Overlook Trail The 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 grade Travel: 20-30 minutes Tower Trail This 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 grades Travel: 10-15 minutes. Download and print a Droop Mountain Battlefield park map. *This is an Adobe Acrobat file and you must have Acrobat 3.0 or higher to download. |
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Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
HC 64 Box
189
Hillsboro, WV
24946
(304)
653-4254
1-800-CALL WVA
Email: droopmountain@wvdnr.gov
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, A West Virginia State Park