🏕️National Park Data
blue cannon sits in front of park's visitor center
A blue painted 6-pounder cannon sits on hill facing the battlefield
Sunlight shining through the tree canopy along the nature trail
Aerial view of the horseshoe-shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River
flat river, green trees lining banks, old bridge pier made of stones in river on left side of photo
Two rangers dressed in 1812 clothing face a line of children with wooden muskets
National Military Park

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Alabama

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
8:00AM - 5:00PM
📍
Location
Daviston, AL
📞
Visitor Center
256-234-7111

On March 27, 1814, Major General Andrew Jackson ‘s army of 3,300 men attacked Chief Menawa’s 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River. Over 800 Red Sticks died that day. This battle ended the Creek War, resulted in a land cession of 23,000,000 acres to the United States and created a national hero of Andrew Jackson.

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About Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is a national military park located in Alabama. Summers can be extremely hot and humid and winters can be damp, wet, and cold, with occasional hard freezes. During the summer season visitors should dress in light, comfortable clothing, wear comfortable shoes and use sunscreen and insect repellant. Stay hydrated to avoid risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. A bottle refill station is available in the visitor center. In the spring and fall visitors should have a light jacket available as temperatures can drop suddenly.

Located in northeastern Tallapoosa County, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is accessible from US Highway 280, as well as AL Highways 22 and 49. The Park is located 5 miles south of the town of Newsite, AL and 12 miles north of the city of Dadeville, AL.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Horseshoe Bend is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Craft Demonstrations, Cultural Demonstrations, Auto and ATV, and 34 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Arts and Culture
✅ Craft Demonstrations
✅ Cultural Demonstrations
✅ Auto and ATV
✅ Scenic Driving
✅ Astronomy
✅ Stargazing
✅ Biking
✅ Road Biking
✅ Boating
✅ Fishing
✅ Freshwater Fishing
✅ Food
✅ Picnicking
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Walking
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Auto
✅ Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
✅ Hands-On
✅ Arts and Crafts
✅ Hiking
✅ Front-Country Hiking
✅ Horse Trekking
✅ Horseback Riding
✅ Living History
✅ Reenactments
✅ Historic Weapons Demonstration
✅ Paddling
✅ Canoeing
✅ Kayaking
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Birdwatching
✅ Park Film
✅ Museum Exhibits
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store
✅ Gift Shop and Souvenirs

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Horseshoe Bend

0 of 11 packed

🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Horseshoe Bend

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Horseshoe Bend before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Verify Conditions: Weather and trail accessibility inside Horseshoe Bend can change rapidly. Always verify the latest road conditions and local weather advisories before starting your trek.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Horseshoe Bend. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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On March 27, 1814, Major General Andrew Jackson ‘s army of 3,300 men attacked Chief Menawa’s 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River. Over 800 Red Sticks died that day. This battle ended the Creek War, resulted in a land cession of 23,000,000 acres to the United States and created a national hero of Andrew Jackson.

Frequently Asked Questions about Horseshoe Bend

The entrance fee for Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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