Things to do in Prairie Grove

The 2026 guide · checked October 9, 2026

Things to do in Prairie Grove

Prairie Grove is the Washington County town that took its name from the Civil War battle fought there on December 7, 1862. The battle was named for Prairie Grove Church, and the town was set up in 1888. Most visits start at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, where the museum in Hindman Hall is free, a one-mile trail crosses ground where the heaviest fighting took place, and a self-guided drive covers the rest of the battlefield. Beyond the park are an AGFC fishing lake, a glass phone booth from about 1960 that is on the National Register, and the 19th-century buildings and trails of Historic Cane Hill off Highway 45.

The battlefield (East Douglas Street / U.S. 62)

The state park at 506 E. Douglas St. holds Hindman Hall, the Battlefield Trail, the Borden House and a village of relocated historic buildings. Across U.S. 62 from the park, by the Colonial Motel, stands the Airlight phone booth.

Downtown (Buchanan Street)

The town grew up around a spring in what is now Mock Park. A train depot opened in 1901, and canning factories followed. The Prairie Grove Historical Society runs a heritage museum in the Skelton House at 311 E. Buchanan St.

Lake Bob Kidd

This 200-acre lake belongs to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The AGFC lake map marks a boat access, a fishing pier, bank-fishing spots and parking.

Cane Hill (Highway 45)

Historic Cane Hill is a separate community. Historic Cane Hill's own directions say to take U.S. 62 west through Farmington and Prairie Grove, then turn south on Highway 45 before you reach Lincoln. The museum, the old college building and more than three miles of trails are there.

1. 1

   Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

   History · Civil War history, picnics, families

   The park covers more than 1,000 acres of the site where Confederate and Union armies fought on December 7, 1862, with 2,700 casualties. It was the last major Civil War battle in Northwest Arkansas. Arkansas State Parks says the battlefield is one of the most intact Civil War sites in the country. The park has walking and driving tours, a picnic area and playground, and weekend programs. In fall 2026 that means a $5 twilight Spirit Walk (Oct. 24, 29 and 30) and a free Trunk or Treat at the Borden House on Oct. 31.

   Picnic area and restrooms open year-round, 8 a.m. until one hour after sunset

   506 E. Douglas St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753

   What's on hereOfficial site

2. 2

   Hindman Hall Museum

   Museum

   The park's visitor center and museum shows artifacts recovered from the battlefield and plays audiovisual programs about the battle. It also has a gift shop. The hall was dedicated in 1965 and was paid for with a gift from the estate of Biscoe Hindman, son of Confederate Gen. Thomas C. Hindman. Pick up the free driving-tour brochure here.

   Free · Wed-Sat 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.; closed Mon-Tue except Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4; closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

   506 E. Douglas St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753

   What's on hereOfficial site

3. 3

   Battlefield Trail and the Borden House

   Outdoors · An easy walk with history

   This one-mile loop takes you to where the hardest fighting happened, near the Borden House. Wayside panels tell the battle from the view of officers, enlisted men and a civilian. Archibald Borden built the house around 1868 to replace one that burned the day after the battle. It is the only historic building in the park still on its original site. The trail also passes the Ozark village of moved buildings, including John Latta's 1834 log house and the Morrow House, which Gen. Hindman used the night before the battle.

   506 E. Douglas St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753

   Official site

4. 4

   Prairie Grove Battlefield Driving Tour

   Tour

   The park holds only part of the battlefield. This five-mile self-guided drive covers the rest in 14 numbered stops. Stops include the Latta house and cellar, the Morton homesite where Union troops from Kansas advanced, and Prairie Grove Church. Hindman used the church as his headquarters, both armies used it as a hospital, and the battle is named for it. You can pick up the brochure for free at Hindman Hall, or download it from the park page.

   Free

   Starts at 506 E. Douglas St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753

   Official site

5. 5

   Lake Bob Kidd

   Outdoors · Fishing, paddling

   This 200-acre fishing lake is owned by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Its map shows a boat access, a fishing pier, bank-fishing spots and parking. In 2025 the AGFC and local students planted native pondweed and arrowhead to improve habitat for crappie, bass and baitfish. Starting July 1, 2026, anyone 16 or older without an Arkansas hunting or fishing license needs the $10.50 AGFC WMA/Lake Conservation Permit to use the lake, even just to paddle or watch birds.

   Arkansas fishing or hunting license, or the $10.50 annual AGFC WMA/Lake Conservation Permit (ages 16+)

   Official site

6. 6

   Prairie Grove Airlight Outdoor Telephone Booth

   Landmark

   The Prairie Grove Telephone Company put this aluminum-and-glass booth on U.S. 62 around 1960. It stands near the Colonial Motel, across the highway from the battlefield park. An SUV hit it in 2014, and after locals spoke up on Facebook the company restored it instead of removing it. In 2015 it became the first telephone booth placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

   U.S. 62 by the Colonial Motel, across from Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

   Official site

7. 7

   Historic Cane Hill Museum

   Museum

   Cane Hill is a separate community off Highway 45, and Historic Cane Hill's directions take you through Prairie Grove to reach it. The museum is in a building put up around 1945 as a grocery store. It has exhibits on the November 1862 Battle of Cane Hill, which was fought nine days before Prairie Grove, plus Cane Hill College, early mills and the salt-glazed Boonsboro pottery made there from 1868 to 1888. It also keeps genealogy files that anyone can use.

   Thu-Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

   14335 S. Hwy 45, Canehill, AR

   Official site

8. 8

   Historic Cane Hill trails and college grounds

   Outdoors · Hiking, history walks

   Historic Cane Hill has more than three miles of marked trails, open daily from sunrise to sunset. The 1.2-mile Heritage Trail passes most of the historic buildings and goes to the Cane Hill Cemetery. Those buildings include the 1886 Cane Hill College. The 1-mile McCullough Trail climbs steeply to the overlook where three girls watched the Battle of Cane Hill. Upcoming: Cane Hill After Dark, an outdoor storytelling night on Oct. 23, 2026 ($5).

   Trails open daily, sunrise to sunset

   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.