Things to do in Pea Ridge

The 2026 guide · checked October 9, 2026

Things to do in Pea Ridge

Pea Ridge is a Benton County town whose name comes from the wild peas that once grew thick on its ridges, and the 1862 Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge carries its name. The battlefield is now Pea Ridge National Military Park, which is free to enter and carries a Garfield mailing address. In town you'll find a city park with a splash pad, a public library with a full weekly calendar, bike and gravel routes that start downtown, and the Pea Ridge Mule Jump each October.

Downtown and City Hall (Weston Street and Curtis Avenue)

City Hall is at 975 Weston Street, and the Mule Jump is held on the grounds just north of it. The library is at 801 N. Curtis Ave., and the city's DIY bike shop, The Garage, is at 190 Smith Street. The city's bike and gravel routes start from City Hall.

Pea Ridge City Park (Hayden Road)

The city park and walking trail at 2344 Hayden Rd. hold the splash pad and most of the city's family events, including summer movie nights and the Back to School Bash.

Pea Ridge National Military Park

The 1862 battlefield has a visitor center off Highway 62, a 7-mile, 10-stop tour road, Elkhorn Tavern, a horse trail and hiking trails. Its mailing address is 15930 National Park Drive, Garfield.

Beaver Lake at Garfield

Lost Bridge North, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park and campground on Beaver Lake, is at 12485 Marina Rd. in Garfield. Non-campers pay a $5 per-vehicle area use fee.

1. 1

   Pea Ridge National Military Park

   History · History fans, drives, leashed dogs on the grounds

   On March 7-8, 1862, more than 23,000 soldiers fought here in what the Park Service calls the most pivotal Civil War battle west of the Mississippi. Start at the visitor center for the museum and the 28-minute film Thunder in the Ozarks, then drive the 7-mile, 10-stop tour road. Federal trenches south of the visitor center have a short interpretive walk. The mailing address is in Garfield, but the park, like the battle, carries Pea Ridge's name.

   Free (no entrance pass required) · Grounds and tour road 6 a.m.-sunset daily; visitor center 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Tue-Wed mid-November to early March

   15930 National Park Drive, Garfield, AR 72732

   What's on hereOfficial site

2. 2

   Elkhorn Tavern

   Landmark

   The tavern was a field hospital and, for a short time, Confederate Gen. Earl Van Dorn's headquarters during the battle, while the Cox family sheltered in its cellar. It was burned around January 1863 and rebuilt on the original foundations after the war. Today's building is a reconstruction based on 1880s photos, and the south fireplace and foundations are original. The Park Service says visitors can go inside. Two monuments stand on the grounds, including the 1889 Reunited Soldiery Monument, placed by Union and Confederate veterans together.

   Tour road Stop 8, Pea Ridge National Military Park, Garfield, AR 72732

   Official site

3. 3

   Trail of Tears sites at Pea Ridge National Military Park

   History

   Park records show 10,370 Cherokee traveled the Trail of Tears through what is now the park. From Elkhorn Tavern you can walk a short stretch of the old Springfield-to-Fayetteville road north on a mowed path. The next stop, Reddick's Field, is where the Cherokee camped near springs, and more of the historic road can be hiked at Little Sugar Creek Trenches. A Trail of Tears Junior Ranger program is available online.

   15930 National Park Drive, Garfield, AR 72732

   Official site

4. 4

   Pea Ridge City Park and Splash Pad

   Family · Kids in summer (splash pad)

   The city park on Hayden Road has a walking trail, and its splash pad opened in May 2019. The city holds its family events here, including Kids to Parks Day, Movie at the Pad nights, Popsicles at the Pad and the Back to School Bash.

   8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

   2344 Hayden Rd., Pea Ridge, AR 72751

   Official site

5. 5

   Pea Ridge Mule Jump

   Family · Families; Oct. 10 in 2026

   Since 1989 the event has billed Pea Ridge as the Mule Jumping Capital of the World. The custom comes from coon hunters whose mules jumped fences instead of looking for gates. Here the mules jump bareback from a standstill, the trainers can't touch them and use word commands, and mules are eliminated until one is left. The day also has halter classes and mule barrel, flag and pole-bending races. Mule jumping started here at a 1985 fall festival, and the 2026 event, the 37th, is Saturday, Oct. 10. The pro jump starts no earlier than 1 p.m.

   $5 adults, $2 ages 6-12, free for 5 and under

   975 Weston Street, Pea Ridge, AR 72751 (just north of City Hall)

   Official site

6. 6

   Pea Ridge Public Library

   Family · Kids and families, rainy days

   The city library has a full weekly calendar. There's story time, Books and Babies, Music & Movement and Kids in the Kitchen for kids, plus Mahjong Club, Dungeons & Dragons, a teen book club and Friends of the Library book sales. Rooms can be reserved, and the library has genealogy resources.

   Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

   801 N. Curtis Ave., Pea Ridge, AR 72751

   Official site

7. 7

   Pea Ridge bike and gravel routes

   Outdoors · Road and gravel cyclists

   The city's Office of Active Transportation posts a set of bike and gravel routes that start at City Hall, some running to Bentonville and Rogers, each with a description and difficulty rating. Rural Recreational Roads routes start at the Baker Hayes trailhead and head into the countryside. You can book time at The Garage, the city's DIY bike shop, to use its tools and stands.

   Routes start at City Hall, 975 Weston Street, Pea Ridge, AR 72751

   Official site

8. 8

   Wonderland Tree Farm

   Family · Families, late November and December

   This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm grows Virginia pine, Scotch pine, Leyland cypress, white pine and Turkish fir, and also sells pre-cut Fraser firs. Saws are provided. Power saws, axes and hatchets are not allowed, and gloves are a good idea. The farm has a hayride, a mercantile shop and local food vendors, and leashed pets are welcome. The 2026 season opens Nov. 21.

   14821 Miser Road, Pea Ridge, AR 72751

   Official site

9. 9

   Lost Bridge North on Beaver Lake (Garfield)

   Outdoors · Lake days, fishing, camping

   The city's visitor links point to Beaver Lake, and this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park on the lake is in Garfield, not Pea Ridge. The campground has shaded sites near the shore, fire rings, picnic areas and flush toilets, with limestone bluffs around it. Beaver Lake has more than 28,000 surface acres for bass, crappie, white bass and striper fishing. Campsites are booked through Recreation.gov.

   $5 per-vehicle area use fee for non-campers

   12485 Marina Rd., Garfield, AR 72732

   Official site

Hours and prices as each place posts them, checked October 9, 2026; they change, so confirm before you go. Curation is never sold.