GENERAL INFO: Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park is a great place to stop for lunch because it's midway between Petersburg and Appomattox Court House. There are charcoal grills and picnic tables at the Overton-Hillsman House and the visitor center grounds. No water is available. A pit-toilet is available during daylight hours.
It's a historical site because on April 6, 1865 - the Black Thursday of the Confederacy - Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia lost 7,700 men, including eight generals, in the Battle of Little Sailor's Creek. This defeat was key to Lee's decision to surrender at Appomattox Court House 72 hours later, thus ending the war in Virginia. Click here to download a brochure that details the battle (PDF).
The Overton-Hillsman House, used as a field hospital during and after the battle, is open to visitors June through August and by request at other times. Contact the park at (804) 561-7510 or email sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov to arrange a special tour. Period costumed interpreters commemorate the event and conduct other living history events throughout the year. Motorists will enjoy Lee's Retreat Driving Tour, which follows the route of his army from Petersburg to Appomattox Court House. While on the trail, drivers can set the radio to AM 1610 for battle details and descriptions. Learn more about this offering by visiting the Virginia's Civil War Trails website or calling toll-free 1-888-CIVIL-WAR. Trail travel packages are available as well; call 1-800-769-5912 for details.
Park size: 321 acres in Amelia, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties.
Weather: Click here to visit the Weather Channel's site for this zip code.
AT-A-GLANCE: The pictographs directly below show park offerings. Click on those of interest or read below for more detail. Mouse-over the image for a short text description or click here to view a legend in which each pictograph's meaning is expressed.
LOCATION: The park is at 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice, Va. From U.S. 460, take Route 617 (Saylers Creek Rd.) to Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park. From U.S. 360, take State Route 307 (connecting highway between U.S. 360 and U.S. 460) to Route 617 North (Saylers Creek Rd.).
Drive Time : Northern Virginia, three to three and a half hours; Richmond, one to one and a half hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two and a half to three hours; Roanoke, two hours
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Latitude, 37.305194. Longitude, -78.22764.
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OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: None. For information on availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
TRAILS: There are three short hiking trails, including one to a battlefield memorial.
Visit the Explore Virginia Outdoors website for enhanced maps and video tours of Sailors Creek Battlefield's trails.
WILDLIFE: Virginia State Parks are great places to discover and reconnect with the wild world. Bring a camera and share your captures with the world. But please don't disturb or get too close to the animals. The park is, after all, their home. Here are a few recent natural encounters others have had at Sailor's Creek Battlefield.
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FISHING, BOATING: Several good fishing opportunities are a short drive from this park. The Appomattox River is a few miles to the northeast. Besides largemouth and smallmouth bass, the Appomattox is home to the Kentucky spotted bass and numerous other freshwater species. Access to the river is limited. Nearby Bear Creek Lake, Twin Lakes and Holliday Lake state parks offer great fishing and comfy overnight accommodations.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: A visitor center was built in 2009, however the exhibit space is unfinished.
- Commemoration of the battle - April
- Star-gazing - Spring, summer, fall (may be cancelled due to inclement weather)
- House tours - By special request. April through October, Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
- Veteran's Day Luminaria eveneing battlefield walking tour
- Civil War Christmas - December
Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: None.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Sandy River Reservoir, Briery Creek Wildlife Management Area, Prince Edward/Gallion State Forest, Lee’s Retreat Driving Tour, Robert R. Moton School Museum, Longwood College Visual Arts Center, Moorefield Mine, Old Town Farmville, Twin Lakes State Park, High Bridge Trail State Park, Petersburg National Battlefield, Appomattox Plantation, Grant’s Headquarters at City Point, Blandford Church, Weston Manor, U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg Siege Museum, Centre Hill Mansion, Pamplin Historical Park and National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Museum and Whitehouse of the Confederacy, Magnolia Grange Plantation, Crewe Historic Railroad Park.
The Hidden Depot Farm Bed and Breakfast is about 7 miles from the park.
PICNIC SHELTERS: Picnic tables, grills available; no picnic shelters.
- ADA-compliant picnic tables
- Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.
HISTORY: See General Information
FRIENDS GROUP: Feel like lending a hand? The Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park Friends group is a hands-on volunteer 501c3 organization dedicated to preserving and supporting the park. Contact Bobby Wilcox at (804) 598-2901 for more information.
CONTACT INFO: Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park, 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice, VA 23966; phone: (804) 561-7510; email, sailorscreek.
Learn more about park offerings by calling 1-800-933-PARK or email resvs.
This park was supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund: Helping states and communities provide outdoor recreation and open space for all Americans.
Visit Explore Virginia Outdoors for virtual tours of state parks' trails and more.