You can tour Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield for free starting Jan. 1

Sara Karnes, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield will no longer charge entrance fees or sell certain passes after the new year.

The national park announced the change earlier this month. As of Jan. 1, 2023, Wilson's Creek will no longer charge an entrance fee to access park grounds nor sell America the Beautiful Senior Annual, Senior Lifetime or Interagency Annual federal recreation passes.

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and the site of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in action.

Superintendent Sarah Cunningham said park officials looked at visitation numbers — the park sees about 280,000 guests each year — and the cost of collection. They saw that the public benefit of eliminating those fees outweighed the revenue collected.

More:Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center, museum reopens after $3.5M renovation

"We're really excited for visitors to come to the battlefield and check things out," Cunningham said in a phone interview.

As for hours or seasonal programming, there are no other changes. The elimination of entrance fees and certain passes being sold is a local change only.

Sarah Cunningham was named the new superintendent of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Monday.
Sarah Cunningham was named the new superintendent of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Monday.

The funds from selling America the Beautiful Senior Annual, Senior Lifetime or Interagency Annual federal recreation passes are all considered fee revenue when collected. Visit the National Park Service's website to find locations to purchase the passes or go U.S. Geological Survey's page to buy them online.

"Once we are out of the program, we will not be able to sell those anymore," Cunningham said.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield will continue to offer the free passes for Access, 4th Grader, Military Annual and Military Lifetime with the necessary identification documents. Cunningham said she believes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites in Stockton and Branson, the Neosho Fish Hatchery and the U.S. Forest Service office in Ava still sell passes.

"I recommend calling before those wishing to obtain those passes drive, to ensure they have the passes in stock," Cunningham added.

Wilson's Creek will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2023.

The historic site’s visitor center and museum re-opened in 2021 following 18 months and $3.5 million dollars’ worth of renovations.

Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Wilson’s Creek battlefield eliminates entrance fees starting in 2023