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National Military Park · Alabama

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

National Military Park in Alabama. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Military Park
StateAlabama
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkGreat Smoky Mountains (225 mi)
Closest airportCSG (56 mi)
Sunlight shining on back-lit leaves on a branch.
Visitors can find solitude, seasonal beauty, and abundant wildlife along the 2.8-mile trail through the park. Photo: NPS Photo/Barclay Smith

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is a national military park run by the National Park Service in Alabama.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Park grounds, trails, and picnic areas, are open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST. The Visitor Center is open from 9:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. The tour road is open. The boat launch closes at sunset.

Getting there

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Columbus Airport (CSG) Columbus, GA No road route 56 Regional
Montgomery Regional (Dannelly Field) Airport (MGM) Montgomery, AL No road route 60 Regional
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) Birmingham, AL No road route 71 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. Visit our newly renovated museum to discover more about the Muscogee (Creek) people who inhabited Alabama for thousands of years, and how the Creek War and its aftermath impacted their lives. See the 23-minute park film describing the events that led to the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and the consequences for American history. Junior Ranger books and Passport stamps are available, and educational items are for sale in the bookstore.

Weather

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Great Smoky Mountains, about 225 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park?

No entrance fee.

Where is Horseshoe Bend National Military Park?

In Alabama. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Columbus Airport, about 56 miles away.

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