Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is a United States National Monument close to Dadeville in Central Alabama. It preserves the site where during the War of 1812, on 27 March 1814, Andrew Jackson led 3,300 troops against a force of around 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors, about 800 of whom died in the battle.
Get in
The park is located in east central Alabama on State Highway 49, 12 miles north of the town of Dadeville and about 2 hours from both Birmingham and Atlanta. Signs along U.S. Highway 280 (if coming from Birmingham) and Alabama State Road 22 (if coming from Atlanta) will direct you to the park.
Fees and permits
There are no entrance or user fees for the park.
Get around
The 3 mile tour road is a one-way loop with several stops along the way. The park can also be explored by foot.
See
The visitor's center and tour road have several stops and exhibits explaining the battle and its legacy, as well as Native American history in this part of Alabama.
Do
The nature trail is 2.8 miles long and winds through the battlefield as well as the site of a Creek Indian camp from the 1800s. Canoeing is popular on the Tallapoosa River, and boats can launch from the ramp about a half mile south and across the river from the visitor's center.
Horseback riding and hunting are not allowed in the park. Fishing is only allowed at the boat ramp, provided you have an Alabama state fishing license.
On the Saturday in March closest to the anniversary of the battle, the park holds living history demonstrations.
Stay safe
Summer heat is the biggest danger in the park. Watch out for snakes during the warmer months.
Go next
Wind Creek State Park is about 20 minutes east of Dadeville on the shores of Lake Martin. It has plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping.
Cheaha State Park is about an hour noth of Horseshoe Bend on AL-49. Mt Cheaha is the highest mountain in Alabama and the park features a variety of hiking trails with great views of the Appalachians, especially amazing at sunset. The park has a very nice lodge near the summit.