Cowpens National Battlefield is a national battlefield in Gaffney, Cherokee County, in South Carolina's Upstate. Entry is free. Visitor center hours 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Wed–Sun. Facts read from the official page on October 25, 2026.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Wed–Sun)official hours below
- AdmissionFree entry
- WhereGaffneyCherokee County, Upstate
- DogsLeashed, 6 ftrules below
About Cowpens
Cowpens marks the old pasture where Daniel Morgan's army turned both flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British force, a double envelopment that won the battle for the Patriots. A battlefield trail and an auto loop road cross the field, and entry is free.
Plan It In Three Lines
Getting In
Free to enter.
9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Wed–Sun)Make It A Day
Croft State Park is about 18 miles away (straight line).
3 places within 30 miles
Cowpens Hours
Hours in a day
- Visitor centerWed–Sun9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- GroundsEvery day9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- OpenEvery daysunrise–dusk
Days of the week today is outlined
- Visitor center closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Visitor center: Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Grounds: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., year round
- Auto loop road and picnic area close at 4:30 p.m.
- Trailhead parking lot (eastern boundary): dawn to dusk
- Visitor center closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Admission And Passes
- Free: no entrance pass is required
- Programs at Cowpens are free and open to the public
Directions And Contact
- Address: 4001 Chesnee Highway, Gaffney, SC 29341
- Phone: 864.461.2828
- Map point: 35.13394,-81.81455, from NPS directions page (visitor center lat/long). Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.nps.gov/cowp/
- For GPS, choose "Gaffney" not "Chesnee" with the street address, or the route may end in Lake Blalock.
- The park marks the battle anniversary each January with firing demonstrations and a living-history camp; dates for 2027 were not posted when we read the page.
Dogs And Strollers
- Pets are allowed on all trails and roads on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.
- Guide dogs are allowed in the visitor center.
Not confirmed: stroller rules. The official page we read does not mention strollers; boardwalks and paved paths may suit them, but call ahead.
Near Cowpens
- 1Croft State ParkState Parkabout 18 mi
- 2Kings Mountain National Military ParkNational Military Parkabout 25 mi
- 3Kings Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 26 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up Near Cowpens
- Through Oct 31Boo in the Zoo (Greenville Zoo)On nowGreenville · about 37 mi
- Oct 31Furman football vs. Western CarolinaGreenville · about 37 mi
- Oct 31Swamp Rabbits Halloween game (Greenville vs. Florida)Greenville · about 37 mi
- Nov 6–15CLUE: Live on Stage (Spartanburg Little Theatre)Spartanburg · about 14 mi
- Nov 7How to Train Your Dragon in Concert (Greenville Symphony)Greenville · about 37 mi
- Nov 7Run for a CureSpartanburg · about 14 mi
45 more on the full events calendar.
Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Cowpens National Battlefield?
Entry is free.
Are dogs allowed at Cowpens?
Pets are allowed on all trails and roads on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.
What are the hours at Cowpens?
Visitor center: Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Grounds: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., year round.
What We Could Not Verify
- Holiday and storm closures change at short notice; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- NPS: Operating Hours and Seasons (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Fees and Passes (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Pets (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS: Directions (read 2026-10-25)
- NPS park data service (hours, contacts, park point) (read 2026-10-25)
Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Cowpens National Battlefield”, itssouthcarolina.com/places/cowpens-national-battlefield/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.