Rich Mountain Battlefield

The Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation

The once endangered site of the July 11, 1861 battle that launched General George B. McClellan into national prominence is now protected by Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation. The site encompasses over 400 acres of historic grounds and buffer lands. RMBF now holds the largest privately held battlefield preservation site in the state.

Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation was founded in 1991 to purchase the initial 19 acres at Camp Garnett. Additional purchases, assisted by Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites (now Civil War Trust) and Randolph County Development Authority, secured over 440 acres including the core battlefield, earthworks, and Field of Fire Park. RMBF continues to maintain the site, develop interpretive signage, host a pavilion area, coordinate trash pickups, and host reenactments and walking tours. With the help of all its members, the dedicated STAFF and DIRECTORS of the Foundation have gotten the site of the battle, Camp Garnett, and the portion of the original turnpike which connects the two sites, as well as Camp Elkwater, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

This historic district, together with some important supporting property, is now the Rich Mountain Battlefield Civil War Site. Purchase of the Civil War Site property was completed in 1993, thanks to efforts spearheaded by RMBF and with the help of our many supporters and contributors, including especially the Randolph County Development Authority and the Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Annually, the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation hosts two major events. Check out the events page for more information!

Our fundraiser, partnering with the Tygart Valley Lions Club, occurs the first Saturday of March each year. In 2027, the fundraiser is on March 6th.

RMBF hosts a Civil War symposium in early April each year. In 2027, the Symposium will be held at Davis & Elkins College on April 10th.

VISIT:

Rich Mountain Battlefield welcomes visitors year-round, though visitors are cautioned that the snow and ice of winter can be more severe than in the Tygart Valley below.  Rich Mountain Battlefield is home to three short trails:

1. Camp Garnett Interpretive Trail: This trail was restored in 2026 for the 165th anniversary of the battle, adding 4 interpretive signs for visitors to explore as they view the remains of Confederate earthworks built around Camp Garnett.
2. Hart Springhouse Trail: This mowed-grass trail leads to the remaining stone entrance of the Hart family’s springhouse. This spring was used through the 1980s, long after the Hart House was demolished. Hear the gurgles of the spring on lush days.
3. Lander’s Rock Trail: This mulched trail leads up the wooded slope that the Union soldiers descended on July 11th, 1861. USA Colonel Frederick Lander stood on this large rock and yelled at the Confederate enemy approaching. “Bang away, you scoundrels. We’ll come down there and lick you like the devil directly!”

Trails and grassy areas are for pedestrians only. Bicycles, and motorized vehicles are not permitted on trails.

SUPPORT:

The ongoing operations, maintenance, improvements, interpretation, and protection of the site, as well as operation of the visitor center, are all the responsibility of the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation. No governmental entity owns or operates Rich Mountain Battlefield.

JOIN The Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation

Get an INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

Get a FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

You can support preservation of the Battlefield by joining Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation. Your membership contribution of $25 individual, or $35 family, supports the Battlefield preservation, interpretation, and education as well as voting membership for RMBF.

DONATE To Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation

Give a supporting DONATION

Give an additional donation to RMBF to support the new Rich Mountain Honor Guard in efforts to protect and preserve the battlefield — surveillance, grounds repair, replacement interpretive signs. You may find more about Rich Mountain Honor Guard at facebook.com/richmountainhonor. Your donation also supports education programming about our heritage!

RMBF BOARD, 2025:

Rick Wolfe

Arden Swecker

Melanie Campbell

Terry Hackney