Culpeper Battlefields State Park

General Information

Culpeper Battlefields State Park is Virginia’s 43rd state park. This park will enable visitors to experience more than 2,500 acres of historic battlefield land. These properties were preserved by the American Battlefield Trust and the Brandy Station Foundation, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, and include parts of the several major Civil War battles fought in Culpeper County including; Brandy Station, Cedar Mountain, Kelly’s Ford and Rappahannock Station.

Dedicated on June 8, 2024, visitors to the park can explore its history through interpretive walking and equestrian trails, along with guided tours. Culpeper Battlefields allows us to tell not only the story of the battles that occurred, but also a story of a community and its people that found itself repeatedly on the front lines of war, and how the war impacted all peoples.

PARKING

Cedar Mountain - Visitor Center and Trailhead (1.25-mile hike with 10 interpretive signs)
Address: 9465 General Winder Road, Rapidan, VA
Coordinates: 38.404509913006564, -78.07007663032375
There are no drinking facilities at this site, so please be prepared in advance for your visit.

Brandy Station - Fleetwood Hill Trailhead (0.26-mile hike with 10 interpretive signs)
Address: 20362 Fleetwood Heights Rd, Brandy Station, VA
Coordinates: 38.50965923678993, -77.87971190254238
There are no restrooms or drinking facilities at this site, so please be prepared in advance for your visit.

Hours

The trails are open 8 a.m. - dusk. The Park Office and Gift Shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - daily.

Location

The park office is located six miles from downtown Culpeper, Va., via Route 15.

The park office address is 9465 General Winder Rd., Rapidan, Virginia, 27733.

Latitude, 38.404857. Longitude, -78.070486

Drive Time: Washington D.C., one and a half hours; Richmond, one and a half hours; Virginia Beach, three and one half hours; Roanoke, two hours and forty five minutes.

Park Size

439 acres

Follow us

Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

Recreation

TRAILS

Hiking and equine trails are able at this park.

Parking/Trails

Parking is available at the following sites:

Cedar Mountain - Visitor Center and Trailhead (1.25-mile hike with 10 interpretive signs)
Address: 9465 General Winder Road, Rapidan, VA
Coordinates: 38.404509913006564, -78.07007663032375
There are no drinking facilities at this site, so please be prepared in advance for your visit.

Brandy Station - Fleetwood Hill Trailhead (0.26-mile hike with 10 interpretive signs)
Address: 20362 Fleetwood Heights Rd, Brandy Station, VA
Coordinates: 38.50965923678993, -77.87971190254238
There are no restrooms or drinking facilities at this site, so please be prepared in advance for your visit.

SWIMMING

Not available at this park.

HORSES

Welcome at this park.

HUNTING

Not available at this park.

Park Trail Guide

Nearby Attractions

• James Madison’s Montpelier – Located in nearby Orange it offers a variety of experiences including tours, programs, and more revolving around James Madison’s life.
• Historic Downtown Culpeper - Six miles north of the Park Office is historic downtown Culpeper which offers unique dining and shopping experiences.
• Shenandoah National Park - Located under an hour west from Culpeper many of Shenandoah’s flagship amenities including Big Meadows Visitors Center, Lodge, and multiple trailheads for the famous Appalachian Trail.
• Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park - Located under an hour east from Culpeper this National Park’s battlefields include, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Chancellorsville, and Fredericksburg.
• Wineries and breweries - There are several award-winning wineries and breweries in the greater Culpeper area, several of which are family friendly.

Picnic Shelters

None at this park.

Meeting Space and Facilities

Meetings and Facilities

None at this park.

Visitor Center, Gift Shop

The Park Office offers a small gift shop which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.  It is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve and may be closed due to inclement weather or when staff is unavailable.

Restaurant

None at this park.

Laundry

None at this park.

Environmental Education Center

None at this park.

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY

The Park Office offers one handicapped accessible parking spot along with a wheelchair-accessible port-a-potty. The trails are not wheelchair-accessible.

NATURE AND HISTORY PROGRAMS

The park offers ranger-led and partner-based interpretive programs which are offered year-round.

CONCESSIONS

The Park Office shop offers drinks and ice cream.

HISTORY

Culpeper Battlefields State Park’s early history begins with Indigenous communities in the pre-contact era and extends through Colonial settlement, Revolutionary War activity, notable Civil War battles and encampments, and even stories from the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Histories of the four battles associated with the park (Brandy Station, Cedar Mountain, Kelly’s Ford and Rappahannock Station), along with modern and historical maps of those conflicts, can be found at https://www.battlefields.org/maps-culpeper.

OTHER INFORMATION

Several community organizations were instrumental in the creation of this state park and have continued their support by becoming an official citizen support organization (Friends group). This organization raises awareness of the park and assist with stewardship projects, educational activities and special events.