River Raisin National Battlefield Park

River Raisin National Battlefield Park is a national battlefield park run by the National Park Service in Michigan.

In the park service’s words

River Raisin NBP preserves, commemorates, and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. Battles that resulted in the greatest victory for Tecumseh’s Confederation and the British and the greatest defeat for the U.S. The aftermath led to U.S. Indian laws that forced the removal, relocation, and assimilation of native nations, an aftermath that continues today.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• The Battlefield (30 Minutes): As you visit River Raisin National Battlefield Park, you are visiting hallowed grounds and the final resting place for many fallen warriors and soldiers. As you walk, read the historical markers, and contemplate the past, consider that Southeast Michigan witnessed the greatest defeat for the United States in the War of
• Enjoy the River Raisin Heritage Trail: The River Raisin Heritage Trail The Heritage Trail has eight miles of paved hike-bike trails that provide safe and scenic routes to walk, run, cycle and in-line skate. The trail connects major historic sites, state and local parks, nationally significant buildings and ecological features. Parking areas and facilities c

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The visitor center contains a 24-foot diorama of the River Raisin Settlement, maps, ranger programs, basic park orientation, park store, passport stamp and Park film. We are open year-round. Please check seasonal hours for times of operation. We are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Getting there

River Raisin National Battlefield is located in SE Lower Michigan along the western shoreline of Lake Erie, in the city of Monroe. Park headquarters is 35 miles south of Detroit, and only 270 miles east of Chicago. By Car: Take Interstate 75 to exit 15 and go south on Dixie Highway to 333 North Dixie Hwy on the right.

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

• River Raisin National Battlefield Park Visitor / Education Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The new visitor center is open year-round except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Weather

There is a saying about Michigan weather: "If you don't like the weather wait five minutes and it will change!" Seasonal average temperatures for Monroe area: Winter: highs range from 30 F- 45 F and lows range from 15 F- 30 F Spring: highs range from 40 F - 70 F and lows range from 25 F - 55 F Summer: highs range from 70 F - 85 F and lows range from 50 F - 65 F Fall: highs range from 40 F - 80 F and lows range from 60 F - 30 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 Cuyahoga Valley, about 105 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: River Raisin National Battlefield Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.