Main Menu

Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site

Park Information

A section of Highway 221 near Doe Run, Missouri, is currently closed and is expected to remain so through mid-November. This will require those heading to the following facilities to take an alternate route: Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site, Elephant Rocks State Park, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.

Today, the Arcadia Valley in Iron County is a peaceful setting in one of Missouri’s most scenic areas. But in September 1864, the valley was the scene of one of the largest and most hard-fought battles waged on the state’s soil—the Battle of Pilot Knob. During the battle, Confederate Maj. Gen. Sterling Price led an army of 8,000 men against the Union post of Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob.

Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site preserves Fort Davidson and the battlefield where so many Confederate and Union soldiers lost their lives. A visitor center and museum interprets the conflict with exhibits, audiovisual presentations and a fiber optics diorama of the battle. The site’s playground, picnic area and hiking trail provide relaxing ways to spend the afternoon.

Park Hours

For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, as well as temporary trail closures, click here to visit our Park and Site Status Map.


On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day; and New Year’s Day.

Historic Site Grounds:

Sunrise to sunset, year-round

Visitor Center hours

(Free tours are offered during these times.)

Apr. 16 through Nov. 30 (On-Season)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily

Nov. 1 through April 15 (Off-Season)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday

Closed Monday and Tuesday

Historic Site Office hours

April 16 through Nov. 30 (On-Season)

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Dec. 1 through April 15 (Off-Season)

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday