Stones River National Battlefield: Is It a Day Trip from Clarksville?

Stones River National Battlefield is at 1563 North Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, and its units are spread across the city. The park preserves about 670 acres. The Battle of Stones River lasted from December 31, 1862, through January 2, 1863.

From Clarksville, this is a distinct history outing to plan around the drive to Murfreesboro. The available route details begin at the interstates, so check your route from Clarksville before you leave.

From Interstate 24, take Exit 76 to Medical Center Parkway, continue to Thompson Lane, and turn at the park entrance at 1563 North Thompson Lane. Follow the tour road to the visitor center.

From Interstate 40, take Exit 235 onto TN 840, then Exit 55 onto US 41/TN 70. Follow signs for Murfreesboro, turn right onto Thompson Lane at the first traffic light, then turn right at the park entrance.

The park tour road is one-way. Parking lots and pull-offs sit along the route and at each park unit. Park only in designated areas; overnight parking is prohibited.

Tour-stop parking is for tour users, while recreational users can park in the visitor center lot. If you need to plan local transport before setting out, getting around Clarksville covers the options.

The visitor center is a practical starting point for a visit, with accessible restrooms and audiovisual programs available in captioned and audio-described versions. The battlefield’s historic features are spread across multiple units, and 60 percent can be viewed from a motor vehicle.

The park and visitor center have different schedules. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, although severe weather may cause closure until conditions are safe.

The visitor center and restrooms are open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM from March 1 through October 31, and 9:00 AM–4:00 PM from November 1 through February 28. The center closes on Thanksgiving and December 25.

The park has more than seven miles of trails, and connections to the Stones River Greenway link most units for walking or biking. All sites are accessible by car, while most can also be reached by bicycle or on foot.

The tour road is open to vehicles from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily from March 1 through October 31. From November 1 through the end of February, park gates close at 4:30 PM.

Pedestrians and bicyclists may use park roads and trails from sunrise to sunset. Ask at the visitor center information desk about paved trails. Scooters, skateboards, and roller skates are not permitted.

Opening hours, road access, and weather can shape how much of the park you can visit, so check the official site before you go. The National Park Service also provides current park alerts and visitor information.

For a day trip from Clarksville, confirm your route and allow your schedule to fit the visitor center and vehicle-tour hours. If you plan to explore on foot or by bicycle, keep the park’s sunrise-to-sunset access in mind.