Background

Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park: A Civil War Crossroads

Discover Civil War history at this Northeast Arkansas park, where a strategic river crossing tells tales of battles and a vanished town.

4.5

Explore the site of a significant Civil War skirmish at Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park near Piggott, Arkansas. This park offers paved walking trails with interpretive markers detailing the area's history and strategic importance during the conflict.

A brief summary to Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking the paved trails, as some sections have steep grades.
  • Bring a picnic to enjoy at the park's picnic facilities.
  • Read the interpretive markers along the trails to learn about the history of the battle and the town of Chalk Bluff.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park is located off County Road 368, near St. Francis, AR. From Piggott, AR, head east on US-62 towards St. Francis. Turn north onto County Road 341 (Collins Street/US 62) and continue for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto County Road 347 and drive 1.7 miles to the park. There is no fee to enter the park.

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Discover more about Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park

Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park marks the location of the former town of Chalk Bluff, Arkansas, a strategic crossing point on the St. Francis River during the Civil War. The town, established around 1840 with a ferry service by Abraham Seitz, served as a vital route between Arkansas and Missouri. Crowley's Ridge, a natural highland, made this area the most logical path through the region's swampland. The most notable Civil War action here was the Battle of Chalk Bluff in May 1863, where Confederate Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke successfully retreated his forces across the St. Francis River after a failed raid into Missouri. The park features paved walking trails with interpretive markers that recount the battle and the town's history. Visitors can explore the wooded battle site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and learn about the events that unfolded here. The town of Chalk Bluff faded away after 1882 when the railroad bridged the river downstream at St. Francis. Today, Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park provides a serene setting to reflect on the area's past, offering accessible trails, picnic facilities, and restrooms.

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