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National Monument · Kentucky

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

National Monument in Kentucky. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Monument
StateKentucky
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkMammoth Cave (75 mi)
Closest airportLEX (67 mi)
A orange sunset over the white granite headstones in the national cemetery with silhouetted cannon.
A glorious orange sunset back drops the Mill Springs National Cemetery. Photo: NPS

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Kentucky.

In the park service’s words

The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importance to both sides of the fight.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and is closed Monday and Tuesdays. The grounds and driving tour are open from dawn till dusk, seven days per week. When the Visitor Center is closed passport stamps with current date and driving tour guides are available outside to the left of the front door.

Getting there

The address of the Visitor Center and Museum is 9020 West Highway 80, Nancy, Kentucky 42544. The Visitor Center and Museum is located approximately eight miles west of Somerset, Kentucky along KY-80. Next door is the Mill Springs National Cemetery. Zollicoffer Park (Core Battlefield) is one mile due south of the Visitor Center along KY-235. From the Visitor Center, turn right onto KY-80 W head 0.3 of a mile. Turn left onto State Hwy 235 go 1 mile, Zollicoffer Park will be on your left.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Blue Grass Airport (LEX) Lexington, KY No road route 67 Regional
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) Louisville, KY No road route 94 Large hub
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) Knoxville/Maryville, TN No road route 96 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

  • Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center and Museum: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM. The Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center & Museum was established November 4, 2006, with the purpose of acquiring and distributing knowledge, and to preserve and exhibit objects, illustrating the history and importance of the Battle of Mill Springs and the preservation of battlefield land. The building is located beside the Mill Springs National Cemetery, itself an historic site, on the northernmost edge of the Battlefield.

Weather

Nancy, Kentucky, on average, gets 50 inches of rain per year and 11 inches of snow. July is usually the warmest month with temperatures around 86 F. January can reach a low of 25 F.

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 Mammoth Cave, about 75 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument?

No entrance fee.

Where is Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument?

In Kentucky. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Blue Grass Airport, about 67 miles away.

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