Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site — Attraction in Benson

Pros: Wonderful easy hike through the woods to visit original trenchworks. Paths are well cut. Museum is free. Donations encouraged . Great place to let kids run around. Cemetery is well kept. Ample parking. Clean bathrooms, facilities and grounds Cons: Only driving tour was suggested from staff. End of walking trail marked, but despite marking, trail continues on with more markers, and things to see Next thing you know you are on a farm road off the tour. I was told it's a new unopened portion, but we found no markers indicating it was not ready for viewing and continued to follow the trail. Some might get slightly lost if they continue. When we mentioned this, we were told that we were on the new, unopened section, yet there were no signs to denote this. There are many faux paths that are unmarked and likely used for clearing crews.. Driving tour is not well marked at a few spots where one might make a wrong turn. GPS and driving tour amenities are unusable if you don't have a cell signal, like us. Random numbers are posted throughout the woods that don't correspond to the tour map. Tour map has no geographic indicators of events at the battle or battle progression. Only loosely accurate trail info and an explanation of what land has been acquired by the Civil War Trust and the state on map. All other explanations left to audio tour, which is by cellphone only. Tour of the house is supposed to occur every hour on the hour. We showed up at the house and waited. When we inquired about the tour we were told that they weren't expecting anyone. So we had to wait another hour with another couple. The house tour was nice, but the tour guide stumbled over her words and used loose facts and figures she seemingly made up on the spot or couldn't recall properly. Such as "the mortally wounded officers were put in this room to recover." Well, some recovered, maybe. But if they didn't recover they were left here to recover." Or "43 Confederate soldiers were treated here in this house and only 19 died from wounds." Then you count the tombstones, of which there are 20 and read in several locations about the 23 who died at the house of which 20 are marked. Nothing is mentioned concerning the almost 400 buried in the mass grave there. The staff member was sweet and kind, but could have a little more confidence in speaking and done a little more specific research. I held my questions out of fear of embarrassment for her as it seems she would make up facts from assumptions. Suggestions: Mark the trails more effectively with more of an idea where not to go. Clearly mark the driving tour where the road comes to a T. Have a staff member either present at the house, or checking on it when yours begin, or place a sign identifying the check-in location of the tour. Mention the walking tour to visitors. We had to find it ourselves as it was not mentioned. Throw up a portapotty near the turnaround point. My kids had to go in the treeline. Have signs identifying private property or farmland roads and where trails intersect them. Offer an alternate means for the audio tour. Other battlefields use a rentable audiobook-style keypad-input device with headphones. Great trip. Worth the visit. Friendly staff. Clean grounds. Great way to spend the day, but do your own research extensively beforehand because you may have no cell signal from which to benefit from the audio tour or...

This was our first visit and it was unplanned. The wife and I are new to the area and were out in Rocky Mount checking out the town. We decided to head south to see what was there and we found the Bentonville Battlefield. There's and old house, a visitor center, and a pavilion visible as you pull in. There are restrooms at the pavilion. The visitor center is small but bright it's a very well done kinda small. It's clean and bright and the folks working that day were super. There are displays of some period weapons, tools and clothing. There's a light up map on the wall with a voice that narrates the broad details of the battle and the troop movements and clashes are shown on the map. Its actually really cool. You can tickets to a semi guided tour of the house. We took the tour. I think it cost 4 bux. During the tour you learn the history of the house, the occupants at the time of the war until it became state property. There are a few creepy details in the house. Won't ruin the surprise. You learn about the slaves on the property and what happened to them after the war. After you tour the house, there's a detached kitchen and slave quarters you can tour on your own. On the other side of the lot is a hiking trail. That takes you to one the driving tour stops. Yep, thats right. You can get the driving tour map at the visitor center. You cruise around, follow the map and you can visit other important areas during the battle. Also on the property are picnic tables. Next visit we know what to bring. Thanks NC for preserving this small piece of our history. Well done! Well...

This is an off the beaten path place but well worth the trip. Who knew that this area had so much history involved here. Our tour guide of the "Harper House" (Amanda) was nothing short of amazing. She knew much more than just the essential facts of this site. She knew SO much more. Many back stories and additional facts that it really made our time with her extremely enjoyable. Especially during the Q&A time at the end of the tour. She joked with us that she felt she knew more about the Harper Family than she did about her own family. There is a free movie in the visitor center which was very helpful to understand all that went on here during the Civil War. Several displays of artifacts as well as a narrated LED map that showed the logistics of the two armies as they fought. It was very helpful as you watched the movement of these armies unfold before you. You need to then go and do the driving tour of the other important sites and battle fields. We saw a lot but there are several areas we want to come back to hike and explore. Just remember the visitor center and the Harper House are closed on Mondays as well as N. C. state holidays. The other sites are available just not the visitor center. It's all worth the trip...