Cowpens National Battlefield

WOW HOW COOL! We didn’t have a lot of time but got a lot out of this park. All three of the Park Rangers are very knowledgable and helpful. The movie described the battle and raised our curiosity. Every question we asked was answered politely and expertly. We didn’t have enough time to see the battlefield but were guided to the best parking lot to understand the patriots position and the British stand. Thank you to the Rangers there.

This is a great spot to learn about a part of American History that is often overlooked during the Revolutionary War. The park rangers were friendly and enthusiastic. Was it worth visiting if you already went to King’s Mountain? I’m not sure. Since I don’t know if I’d ever be in this part of the country again and am somewhat of a history enthusiast, I am glad I went. However, I’m not sure most people would feel that way.
If you do come out here, it is worth the extra 15 minute drive from here to checkout the Peachoid Water Tower in Gaffney.

Interested in History? Then this is a must go to site. Its a very well done site The museum, with an interactive map that shows how the battle took place plus a short movie. you take a short walk through the battlefield to see where the battle took place how they were positioned,
We have been to several battlefields across the world and they have done a great job to make this interesting for all age levels.
It would be nice if they had a mobile app to to listen to as walked the various stations like Chickamauga and Marietta area.
Other than that its a great site! The Man was thrilled to visit and and walk it and interact on the field

My kids were interested in visiting Cowpens Battlefield after seeing the sign for it along the highway. The had learned about the battle in their American History class and were really excited that it was close to where we were vacationing.
It was a bit of a drive to get to the battlefield but we stopped along the way to take pictures of peach tress and get lunch, so it wasn’t too bad. There were plenty of signs and we had no trouble finding it.
When we arrived there were two people working in the visitors center. They were really nice and they told us about the battlefield and suggested we watch the fiber optic map presentation. This was much better than I expected. The map lights up to show you the movement of the battle and there is narration along with it that works really well. I was impressed.
After that we went out for a stroll around the battlefield. The path is a big loop, and one side of it is paved, the rest is gravel. There were informational stops along the way that kept the kids interested. There really wasn’t too much to see on the battlefield, so those signs helped keep us focused.
When we returned to the visitor center John was at the desk. He’s mentioned in the other reviews, and he really was very knowledgeable and helpful. I’m glad we got to talk to him before we left.
Overall a good trip to Cowpens. We hope to go back for their reenactment some day.

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Definitely worth stopping by to learn about the battle’s contribution to the American Revolution.

Really cool place!!! I was greeted by John as I walked in through the doors. I instantly knew this guy was legit. Friendly tone, smiled, and asked me where I was from. John and Lamar were both very in depth about the Cowpens Battlefield History. John even brought out maps documenting different battles and soldier routes during this time across the East. We’re talking about documentation you won’t read about in school or most history books. John showed me a battlefield area in St. Louis and explained its importance. The Amount of research John has put into this is quite impressive.
The visitor center houses a museum which is self-​guided or tour guided, has an LED interactive display-​very cool, has a video presentation lasting around 15 minutes and also has a gift shop.
The grounds: you can drive a 3 mile loop around the battlefield, you can walk a 1 mile trail down the middle of the battlefield, you can also have a guided tour down the battlefield. All are free services. There are a few other miscellaneous activities as well.
This place is definitely worth a stop!

Friendliest staff and coolest diorama of all the SC battlefields I recently visited. The lights showing the battle itself are very instructive — and downright funny when they show the British running away like spooked silverfish! Staff were great, even tho’ I arrived 20 minutes before closing time, and kept things open a little later than usual, it being Veterans’ Day. You can walk the field on your own anytime during daylight hours, even if the visitor center is closed, provided you enter from the trailhead further east of the main entrance on Hwy 11.

I recently explored Cowpens National Battlefield. And it is a really great set up. Let me preface this by saying that I haven’t been to many national battlefields so I don’t have a ton to compare it to but they really seem to have it together.
It was easy to find and easy to maneuver. There is a large visitor center that includes a movie and a lighted map. The staff is friendly and helpful in answering any questions you might have. They have a small gift shop with magnets and other doodads. The neat part though is outside. They have a mile long trail that you can follow with lots of signs and information along the way. Being the fall, there were lots of leaves everywhere, squirrels and chipmunks keeping you company as you follow the path.
They do school tours (there was one going on while we were there but I didn’t want them to think I was a pedophile so we passed them by fairly quickly. The tourguide, however, was very loud and full of information which I enjoyed as long as we could hear him.
All in all it was a very good and informative experience. Well done!

This small area was the site of the strategic American victory in the South during the Revolutionary War. The Visitor’s Center has a wonderful film on the battle. The Guides know the history of the area and the battlefield and are happy to share. Strongly recommended for all ages.

Beautiful area. The battlefield is so gorgeous now. Hard to realize that people gave their lives for us to become a country.

This is the first battlefield park I have been to so I suppose I am uncertain how to rate it. it’s a large park area with a small sized visitors’ center near the parking lot. The visitors’ center has a video or two they can show, one of which being a reenactment of the battle itself. The video is a bit cheesy but does help to explain how the battle took place.
The guide at the center we spoke to was very friendly and seemed extremely knowledgeable. Certainly he was enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge.
There is a one-​mile walk around the battlefield with various stops along the way explaining things about what happened, the generals and soldiers and the like. Part of the walk is through grasslands and in May when we visited it was extraordinarily hot and humid. I highly recommend sunblock and a large hat. Part of the walk goes through the forest which is quite beautiful and shady. There isn’t a tremendous amount to see but it is a battlefield of historical importance so I can imagine for those who are interested in this sort of national park it would be worth seeing.
Entrance and parking were free when we visited.

If you go during the January reenactment you are in for a treat. There are quite a few people in period dress and ready to answer any and all Revolutionary war questions you may have. Unfortunately much of the park was restricted access due to the activities. I will update my review when I return for some hiking in the spring. Most of the people there are truly passionate about what they do which makes you quite interested as well.

Quick summary: great place to walk, good reenactment in January, great smelling white flowers on several bushes in Jan –March, nice-​size picnic area. Used to have great fireworks show on the 4^th but haven’t had it in a few years.
If you are a local, you know that there are not a lot of places to walk in the area unless one walks on the road with all of the cars. The battlefield has several places that locals (and visitors) enjoy walking and riding bikes. The road that goes around the battlefield is about 3 miles long so it is nice walk (mostly flat, shady, w/​a few hills.)
There are also some shorter walks. After visiting the visitor center, go out the back way and meander along the paths. They are about 1 to 1.5 miles long. One time I was walking here when I looked up and saw 3 or 4 deer grazing. In the winter, there are some bushes that have very tiny white flowers. They smell just awesome. Usually you can smell them from January until about March. (Notice I said smell. They aren’t that pretty but the scent is very nice, especially in the middle of winter.)
There is an older house that you can walk around. Unfortunately, you can’t go inside. There is a good reenactment in January. I have been a few times and really enjoyed it.