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Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park

Bring Civil War History to Life

Visit the site of one of the largest Civil War engagements in Loudoun County at Ball’s Bluff Battlefield in Leesburg, Virginia. Visitors can take advantage of weekend guided tours from April through November, volunteer guided programs and living history events (weather permitting). Brochures are available year-round for self-guided walking tours of the park. Major sites at Ball's Bluff include a cemetery, which is the third smallest national cemetery in the United States. Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park also features an interpretive trail, signage and an amazing view of the bluff itself, overlooking the Potomac River. 

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Opening Hours

CURRENT STATUS:

Park gates are open, and the park itself is open for walking/hiking/self guided tours from dawn to dusk. Guided tours are scheduled for 10am and 1pm every Saturday and Sunday and begin at the kiosk in the parking lot. Please follow proper social distancing protocols and obey all park signs. Please take all trash with you when you leave. 

Contact

Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
Ball’s Bluff Road
Leesburg, VA 21076
United States

T 703-737-7800
E templehallfarm@nvrpa.org

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Volunteers

Bring the battle of Ball’s Bluff to life as you take visitors back to October 21, 1861 when the North and South clashed on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River, just three months after the 1st Battle of Bull Run. Volunteer battlefield interpreters share the history of this daylong battle with guests of all interest levels and for groups of school children and adults.

Training will prepare you to offer weekend and weekday tours, ranging from a 45-minute general introduction to the battle to a 90 minute in-depth tour. Interpreters must be able to walk a moderately difficult terrain while talking to visitors.

Volunteer Inquiry

Friends

The “Friends of Ball’s Bluff Battlefield” is a private entity, affiliated with NOVA Parks, whose purpose is the stewardship and interpretation of the Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park.

The Friends will complement, contribute to, support, encourage the use of, and promote the historical interpretation and environmental conservation of the battlefield park. Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in historic preservation and the purposes of the Friends. Annual dues are $20 per person.

FoBB MEMBERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Your membership dues go directly to the preservation of the Battlefield. As a member you are invited to participate in workdays, fundraising opportunities and other special events. Use the button below to join the Friends group now.

Join now 

For more information, contact NOVA Parks headquarters at 703-352-5900.

 

Reviews

Beautiful, well kept historical park.

Beautiful, well kept historical park. Trails are well mapped and marked. Historical points are well made. Be careful on the trails after rain, the footing is slippery and very steep in places.

Google - 08/19/2020 by Jaime D.

This is a great spot to come!

This is a great spot to come, especially during these times of social distancing! It's a nicely maintained facility, and has a lot of history packed into a small area. There are a lot of good trails to explore, and interpretive markers to help you understand the battle.

I sometimes forget how close we are to the Potomac River, and there's some lovely views from the bluff.

Yelp - 08/07/2020 by Katie A.

This was one of the first battles of the war

This was one of the first battles of the war. It was relatively small - only about 4,000 soldiers involved - but the story is well told through placards placed around the small area of the battle. You'll also see the small cemetery with 24 graves where 54 of the battle's Union casualties are buried. This is the 3rd smallest veterans cemetery in the United States.

Google Review - 09/09/2019 by Don K.

Outstanding battlefield park

Outstanding battlefield park. Excellent trail along the Potomac River. The trail is difficult in some places. With luck you see a deer. Small National Cemetary is part of the park. Highly recommended.

Google Review - 09/07/2019 by John M.

Beautiful and serene

Civil War battlefield. Beautiful and serene. Easy access to the trail that leads to Balls Bluff National Cemetery and an amazing view of the Potomac River from the Bluff Overlook. We walked along the river and the towering bluff. In the spring, the ground is covered with spring flowers. I enjoyed seeing a carpet of Virginia Bluebells.

Google Review - 04/08/2019 by Violeta W.