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Cowpens National Battlefield

Designation: National Battlefield

Location: South Carolina

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, secured a patriot victory.

🌤 Weather Information

Temperatures for the area range from very hot and humid in the summer to cool and moderate in the winter. http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.1346&lon=-81.7036#.VhkrZ-xVhBc

🚗 Directions

From I-85 S, take exit 83. Turn left on Hwy 110, approx. 8 miles. Turn right on Hwy 11. The park is about a half mile on the right. From I-85 N, take exit 92, turn right toward Chesnee on Hwy 11, approx.10 miles on the left. From I-26 E, take exit 5, turn left toward Chesnee on Hwy 11, approx. 20 miles on the right. From I-26 W, take I-85 North, take exit 83. Turn left on Hwy 110, approx. 8 miles. Turn right on Hwy 11. The park is about a half mile on the right.

Images

The sun is coming up on the battlefield in the direction that the Americans would have been facing.

Sunrise on Green River Road

Credit: NPS Photo

The Visitor Center and US Monument are framed by orange and yellow trees.

Visitor Center and US Monument in the Fall

Credit: NPS Photo

Robert Scruggs House

Robert Scruggs House

Credit: NPS Photo

Fog shrouds the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument

Washington Light Infantry Monument in the Fog

Credit: NPS Photo

A tom turkey displays his feathers behind the Visitor Center.

Tom Turkey

Credit: NPS Photo

Smoke puffs up from the vent and a flame shoots out of the muzzle as a militiaman fires his musket.

Militiaman Firing Musket

Credit: Richard Crowley for NPS

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Saturday, Apr 18

Sunny

Sunny

High: 92.8°F | Low: 52.9°F

Humidity: 50%

Wind: 11.9 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 9.7

Sunrise: 06:52 AM

Sunset: 08:03 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (1%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 63.8°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Apr 19

Sunny

Sunny

High: 67.1°F | Low: 52°F

Humidity: 40%

Wind: 13.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 6.9

Sunrise: 06:50 AM

Sunset: 08:04 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (3%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 49.6°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Apr 20

Sunny

Sunny

High: 73.2°F | Low: 43.1°F

Humidity: 40%

Wind: 15.7 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 7.4

Sunrise: 06:49 AM

Sunset: 08:04 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (9%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Wind Advisory (Moderate)
▼

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:10PM EDT until April 19 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Effective: Apr 18, 2026 2:10pm
Expires: Apr 19, 2026 6:00am

* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
expected above 3500 feet.

* WHERE...Buncombe, Haywood, Macon, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell,
Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, Transylvania, and Yancey
Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM to 2 PM EDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Park Alerts

Hazardous Conditions on Trails Caution
Visitors should exercise caution when hiking areas of the park that have opened since Hurricane Helene. Hazards on trails and in forested areas such as hanging tree limbs, debris on the ground, and washed-out sections of trails and bridges are possible.
Facilities closed for Christmas Day and New Years Day Information
The visitor center and the restrooms will be closed on December 25th and January 1st. The grounds and trails will be open from sunrise to sunset. 
Temporary Closure Park Closure
Starting on 01/31/2026, Cowpens National Battlefield will temporarily close park entrances and visitor facilities until further notice for the #winterstormgianna and for the safety of visitors and staff. Park services and programs are also canceled until further notice.
Loop Road Closure Park Closure
Cowpens National Battlefield has temporarily closed the Loop Road until further notice due to lingering ice following the passing of #winterstormfern and for the safety of visitors and staff. All other areas have reopened.
Phone Trouble Information
We're experiencing trouble receiving phone calls. You may contact us by email at COWP_Information@nps.gov, and we can respond to your message Wednesday - Sunday, 9:00 - 5:00. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Park Events

245th Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens
Join us on Saturday, January 17 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) and Sunday, January 18 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) 2026 to observe the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. There will be free programs for all ages, including historic weapons demonstrations, children’s activities, cavalry demonstrations, special guest presenters, ranger programs, and more! For a schedule of events: 245th Anniversary Commemoration (U.S. National Park Service)   Lantern tours are held on January 17, beginning at 5:40 pm. Lantern Tours require registration in advance. We begin taking reservations on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Call 864-461-2828 ext. 2. The Visitor Center is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday  

Date: Jan 17, 2026 12:00am to Jan 18, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Library Day

Join park rangers, Spartanburg County Public Libraries, and Cherokee County Public Libraries in celebrating National Reading Month on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Details below: 

Library Day: March 7, 2026, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm

Bookmobiles
10:00 am to 2:30 pm

Librarian-led Storytimes
10:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm

Special Talk
Assistant Director of Local History, Brad Steinecke, "The Spartan Regiment and the Return of Spartanburg's Revolutionary Banner," at 11:30 am inside of the Visitor Center. 

Ranger-led Battlefield Walks 
10:30 am and 12:30 pm

Children's Activity Station 
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Musket Firings 
11:45 am, 12:45 pm, 1:45 pm

Dummy Gun Drills 
10:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Date: Mar 7, 2026 12:00am to Mar 7, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Junior Ranger Day!

Join us for Junior Ranger Day for Junior Ranger programs, ranger-led walks on the battlefield, and more! Event Schedule:

Ranger-led Battlefield Walks, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm 

Musket Firings, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm. 

Junior Ranger Programs, all day 

Date: Apr 18, 2026 12:00am to Apr 18, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Legacy of Cowpens

Join us for WWII-era displays, living historian encampment, special film, and more! More details to follow. 

Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Celebration of Freedom

Join us for historic weapons demonstrations, ranger programs, children's activities, and more! More to details to follow. 

Date: Jul 4, 2026 12:00am to Jul 4, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

National Park Service's Birthday

Join us in celebrating the National Park Service's Birthday! More details to follow. 

Date: Aug 22, 2026 12:00am to Aug 22, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
Cowpens National Battlefield
4001 Chesnee Hwy
Gaffney, SC 29341

🏤 Mailing Address:
Cowpens National Battlefield
338 New Pleasant Road
Gaffney, SC 29341

📞 Voice Phone: 8644612828

📞 Fax Phone: 8644617795

✉️ Email: COWP_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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