"…our success was complete…" Daniel Morgan to Nathanael Greene, January 19, 1781
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton’‘s British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, was one of only a few in history.
The Basics
Hours:
Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. year-round
Auto loop road and picnic area close at 4:30 p.m.
Trailhead parking lot on the eastern boundary of the park is open 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. for addtional pedestrian and bicycle access to the battlefield before and after business hours.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Days
Ranger Programs April 1 - October 31 on Saturdays 9:30 Ranger-guided battlefield walk 11:30 Interpretive talk
Sundays 1:30 Ranger-guided battlefield walk 3:30 Interpretive talk
All programs are free and open to the public.
Address:
4001 Chesnee Hwy
Chesnee, SC 29323
Phone:
864-461-2828
Map
Directions
From I-85 northbound Take exit 83. Turn left, on Hwy 110. Drive about 8 miles. At the intersection for Hwys 110, 221, and 11, turn right. The park is about a half mile on the right.
From I-85 southbound Take exit 92 at Gaffney, west toward Chesnee on Hwy 11. The park is about 10 miles on the left.
From I-26 eastbound Take exit 5, east toward Chesnee on Hwy 11. The park is about 20 miles on the right.
From I-26 westbound Take I-85 North, take exit 83. Turn left, on Hwy 110. Drive about 8 miles. At the intersection for Hwys 110, 221, and 11, turn right. The park is about a half mile on the right.
Climate
Winters are mild with the low temperatures generally in the 20s. Summers are hot and humid with high temperatures in the 90s.
Trailhead Parking: At the corner of SC Highway 11 and Hayes Road, the parking lot is the trailhead for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and provides additional pedestrian and bicycle access to Cowpens National Battlefield loop road and battlefield trail and is open until 9:00 pm.
Battlefield Trail: The partially paved 1.3 mile trail includes wayside exhibits, the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument and the historic Green River Road which was the centerline of the battle. (45 minutes)
Auto Loop Road: The 3.8 mile 1 way road travels the perimeter of the battlefield and includes wayside exhibits, parking areas with short trails to the Green River Road, the c. 1828 Robert Scruggs Log House, and access to the picnic area.
Picnic Area: Located 1 1/2 miles around the loop road, the area provides picnic tables, grills, and restroom facilities. A covered picnic shelter is available to groups through a special use permit for a small fee. Contact the staff at the Visitor Center for information on the permit.
Staff Ride Information
A military staff ride is a group exercise of three distinct phases: preliminary study, field study, and integration. It is designed for further the development of officers, in which each participant gives a briefing on plans, orders, events, decisions, and individuals. They frequently take on the persona of one of the primary participants in the battle. Afterwards, his/her colleagues question him/her about that participant's view of what has occurred on the battlefield at that point.
By definition, the staff ride is to be conducted by the military participants and not by park staff.
Indoor Activities
Visitor Center
Museum contains Revolutionary War artifacts, a reproduction 3-pounder cannon, paintings and exhibits.
“Daybreak at the Cowpens” is a laser disk presentation shown hourly in the museum. The 22 minute show was filmed at the park and depicts the events of the battle. The fees are $1.00/Adult; .50/Child (6 - 12 years); Under 6 - free; Groups - .50/Person.
A fiber-optic map display illustrates the southern campaign of the American Revolution and the battle tactics employed by Daniel Morgan at Cowpens. (13 minutes long) - Free
A sales outlet operated by Eastern National offers books, posters, postcards, slides, and theme-related souvenirs for purchase.
