Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park

Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park, located in the heart of Central Virginia, commemorates a battlefield pivotal to the history of the United States.

On April 6, 1865, General Robert E. Lee lost a quarter of his army here, and was left with no choice but to surrender at the Appomattox Courthouse two days later. This battle was later called the Black Thursday of the Confederacy.

Every year in April, Sailor’s Creek State Park celebrates Living History, a series of events dedicated to reenacting and remembering the past.

Location

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park is located in Central Virginia, about an hour and a half from Richmond.

The park is a three and a half hour drive from Roanoke, and a three hour drive from Virginia Beach.

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park is just 45 minutes away from the Appomattox Courthouse, the site of the Confederate surrender.

Amenities

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park is foremost dedicated to the preservation and education of the Confederacy history associated with it.

In the car, passengers can learn about the battle while driving along Lee’s retreat by listening to AM 1610 on the radio.

The Visitor’s Center has a timeline exhibit, which covers the events of Lee’s army in their final retreat.

The timeline begins on April 2, when Confederate troops left Richmond, and continues until April 8, the day before the surrender at the Appomattox.

The exhibit displays original artifacts from the battle.

Also located at the park is The Overton-Hillsman House, which served as a hospital during the Civil War.

The house is open to visitors on weekends from April 1 to October 31. Admission to the house is free. To arrange group tours during the off season, call 804-561-7510.

Throughout the year, the park hosts several educational events.

In April, a commemoration of the Battle of Sailor’s Creek is held, and the Civil War Santa takes place in December.

Unlike many Virginia State Parks, this park has no entrance fee.

The park offers two short hiking trails, one leading to the battlefield monument and one leading to Sailor’s Creek, called the Confederate Overlook Trail.

Picnic tables and grills are available for use near the Overton-Hillsman House. The park has no picnic shelters.

Fishing is permitted on the Appomatox River, a few miles northeast of the park. Twin Lakes State Park and Holliday Lake State Park, both nearby, offer fishing and overnight accommodations.

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park offers no swimming or overnight accommodations.

Nearby Attractions

Central Virginia is an area rich in Civil War history. Other nearby attractions include the Petersburg National Battlefield, the Museum of the Confederacy in Appomattox, the Appomattox Courthouse National Park, and the Petersburg Siege Museum.