Battlefield Trail

Kings Mountain National Military Park commemorates a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. The battle fought on October 7, 1780 destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis’ army and effectively ended Loyalist ascendance in the Carolinas. The victory halted the British advance into North Carolina, forced Lord Cornwallis to retreat from Charlotte into South Carolina, and gave General Nathanael Greene the opportunity to reorganize the American Army.

This 1.5 mile hike on the Battlefield Trail starts behind the Visitor’s Center and loops around Ferguson’s Cairn, the burial site of British Major Patrick Ferguson. It is marked by wayside exhibits and battle monuments that tell the story of the historic skirmish between British and Loyalist troops. To hike this roundtrip loop trail counter-clockwise, follow the paved path from the Visitor’s Center to the trailhead, which is marked by a large brown and white metal trail sign located only a short distance from the building.