National Park Service Site · Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Stones River National Battlefield
Organization Confirmed · last verified 2026-09-12 · What this means
An authorized representative of the organization has confirmed the listing, or an editor has confirmed it from a first-party source.
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought here.
Visiting
- Designation
- National Battlefield
- Owned or managed by
- National Park Service
- Address
- 1563 North Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN, 37129 · Map and directions
- Hours
From March 1st through October 31st,the park tour road is open to vehicles from 8 AM to 5 PM daily. Gates to the parking areas at Stones River National Cemetery, McFadden Farm (Tour Stop 6) and Redoubt Brannan are also open from 8 AM to 5 PM.
WINTER HOURS - From November 1st through the end of February, the gates listed above close at 4:30 PM.
Visitor Center parking open from 7 AM to 30-45 minutes before sunset daily.
Pedestrians and bicyclists may use park roads and trails from sunrise to sunset.
Wednesday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM · Monday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM · Thursday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM · Sunday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Tuesday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM · Friday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM · Saturday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Getting there
From Interstate 24 - Take Exit 76 and turn left (eastbound) or right (westbound) onto Medical Center Parkway. Turn left onto Thompson Lane. Turn left at the park entrance at 1563 N. Thompson Lane. Follow the tour road to the visitor center. From Interstate 40 - Take Exit 235 onto TN 840. Take Exit 55 onto US 41/TN 70 and follow the signs for Murfreesboro. Turn right onto Thompson Lane at the first traffic light. Turn right at the park entrance at 1563 N. Thompson Lane.
- Periods interpreted
- American Civil War, Reconstruction
- Official page
- https://www.nps.gov/stri/index.htm (opens nps.gov in a new tab)
- Official contact
- https://www.nps.gov/stri/index.htm/contacts.htm (opens nps.gov in a new tab)
Current alerts from the source
- Intermittent Road Closures During Utility Improvement Project (Information) — Beginning May 11, Stones River National Battlefield will implement intermittent road closures to support a utility improvement project by Middle Tennessee Electric. The park expects intermittent closures to continue for four months, depending on weather and construction conditions. Temporary closures and traffic impacts will occur in work areas along Thompson Lane and nearby sections of the battlefield. Visitors should expect intermittent disruptions and follow posted signs and staff directions.
Visitor centers
- Visitor Center — The park visitor center and restrooms are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Spring and Summer and 9am to 4:00 pm from November 1 through February 29 in fall and winter. The visitor center is close
Programs and events
Hallowed Ground: A Lantern Tour of Stones River National Cemetery
Dates: Sept. 12
Join a park ranger for an hour-long walk by lantern light through Stones River National Cemetery. Visitors will get a chance to appreciate the human stories within the cemetery by listening to soldiers and civilians share their experiences through the letters they wrote and received during the conflict. Reservations are required. Reservations can be made at https://forms.office.com/g/VQpX2WWfgH starting at 10 AM on Saturday September 5, 2026. No walk-ons are permitted. Cancellations must be made by calling 615-893-9501 by 10 AM on the day of the program. Reservations are not transferable. This program is not recommended for children under 10 years of age nor is it accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Pets are not permitted.
Living History Event - The Confederates Fight for Murfreesboro
Dates: Sept. 12
Watch living historians demonstrate the weapons and tactics of the Confederate Army of Tennessee's three main branches: artillery, cavalry, and infantry. During each demonstration, a ranger will share the Stones River story of a soldier in gray. Programs will take place in the field adjacent to park visitor center . Program Schedule 10 AM - Artillery Demonstration 10:30 AM - Infantry Demonstration 11 AM - Cavalry Demonstration 1 PM - Artillery Demonstration 1:30 PM - Infantry Demonstration 2 PM - Cavalry Demonstration 3 PM - Infantry Demonstration
Battlefield Caravan Tour
Dates: Sept. 13
Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center. Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civil War. (90 minutes)
Murfreesboro's National Public Lands Day
Dates: Sept. 26
We need volunteers to help us care for our community's public lands! On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Stones River National Battlefield, and our community partners will try again to celebrate National Public Lands Day by bringing the residents of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County together for a morning dedicated to caring for the lands and waterways that are a critical part of life in in our community. Check-in opens at 8:30 AM and we will work from 9-11:30 AM. We will be removing invasive plants, modern fence and trash at the McFadden Farm Unit of Stones River National Battlefield and Murfreesboro's Schafer Park. The plans are in place, now we need your help. Registration is required at https://forms.office.com/g/ZL4GcqWAtj by September 23, 2026. Volunteers under 14 years old may not participate in invasive plant/fence removal.
Battlefield Caravan Tour
Dates: Sept. 27
Meet the ranger at the flagpole in front of the visitor center. Follow a ranger in your car for a tour of the battlefield. The group will make several stops at key battle locations, and the ranger will tell the tale of one of the most important Union victories of the Civil War. (90 minutes)
Stories of Service and Sacrifice in Stones River National Cemetery
Dates: Sept. 27
Walk through Stones River National Cemetery stopping at selected gravesites where a ranger will share some of the Stories of Service and Sacrifice we've been posting to our website and social media to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday. Discover for yourself that each headstone represents more than a name and a date. It marks a personal journey, of service, family, sacrifice, and memory, that contributes to America’s shared heritage. The walk will begin at the park visitor center and last about 60 minutes.
Arts In Parks Celebration - Featuring the Home Sweet Home Band & Two Rivers Fife & Drum
Dates: Oct. 17
Join us on Saturday October 17, 2026, as we celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month with an array of experiences highlighted by special live music concerts presented by the Home Sweet Home Band and Two Rivers Fife and Drum. The Home Sweet Home Band features talented local musicians who will share songs that entertained and stirred emotions in soldiers and civilians during the Civil War along with more current selections inspired by that pivotal period in our nation's history. The Two Rivers Fife and Drum duo of Shirley Gauthier and Neil Rutland will bring an America's 250th flair to the event sharing the martial airs that urged soldiers into battle since our nation's founding. Visitors can also watch cannons fire ahead of each concert set and discover how the work of engaging the enemy with artillery was as much an art as it was a science during the Civil War. Works created by past Artists in Residence will be on display in the park's visitor center. Event Schedule : 10 AM - Artillery Demonstration 10:30 AM - Two Rivers Fife and Drum Concert 11 AM - Home Sweet Home Band Concert 1 PM - Artillery Demonstration 1:30 PM - Two Rivers Fife and Drum Concert 2 PM - Home Sweet Home Band Concert 3 PM - Artillery Demonstration The concerts will take place on the patio and lawn behind the park visitor center. Limited concert seating will be available. We encourage you to bring a folding chair or blanket. Artillery demonstrations will take place nearby at Tour Stop 4. All parking will be in the visitor center and overflow lots.
Recent past events (1)
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