The Old Wire Road Trail at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Brookline Township, Missouri is a moderate 1.7-mile one-way hike that leads through a historic civil war battlefield. Explore the Trail
The Old Wire Road Trail starts at the historic Ray House at the northern trailhead, which is the only original structure that remains from the August 10, 1861 Battle of Wilson’s Creek. The historic Ray House is where General Nathaniel Lyon's body, who was the first General to die in battle during the Civil War, was brought to. After proceeding south along the trail, you will pass several canon batteries, cross a bridge over Wilson’s Creek, pass General Price's headquarters, General Segel’s final position, and beautiful open fields and forested woodlands.
This trail is a well Maintained gravel trail that only hiking and equestrian usage is allowed. About 0.15 north of Segel’s Final Position there is a paved, low water crossing that can be impassable or at the minimum can get your wet during the rainy season or after a period of consistent rainfall.
The National Park Service recommends that you do not drink from the creeks on the park since there is run off from agricultural farming along with Springfield Missouri and Springfield Southwest treatment plants located up stream.
Explore the Trail
The Old Wire Road Trail starts at the historic Ray House at the northern trailhead, which is the only original structure that remains from the August 10, 1861 Battle of Wilson’s Creek. The historic Ray House is where General Nathaniel Lyon's body, who was the first General to die in battle during the Civil War, was brought to. After proceeding south along the trail, you will pass several canon batteries, cross a bridge over Wilson’s Creek, pass General Price's headquarters, General Segel’s final position, and beautiful open fields and forested woodlands. This trail is a well Maintained gravel trail that only hiking and equestrian usage is allowed. About 0.15 north of Segel’s Final Position there is a paved, low water crossing that can be impassable or at the minimum can get your wet during the rainy season or after a period of consistent rainfall.
The National Park Service recommends that you do not drink from the creeks on the park since there is run off from agricultural farming along with Springfield Missouri and Springfield Southwest treatment plants located up stream.
