Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park

1194 Carnifex Ferry Rd.
Summersville, WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-0825

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield History

From Rt. 19, south of Summersville, you want to take Rt. 129 west for approximately 5 miles to left turn on Carnifex Ferry Road. It's then 1 mile to park.

The park is nestled on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon near Summersville, West Virginia. Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is an important Civil War battle site.

On September 10, 1861 Union troops led by Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans engaged the Confederates and forced them to evacuate an entrenched position on the Henry Patterson Farm which overlooked Carnifex Ferry.

The Confederate commander, Brigadier General John B. Floyd retreated across the ferry to the south side of the Gauley River and on eastward to Meadow Bluff near Lewisburg.

This Civil War battle represented the failure of a Confederate drive to regain control of the Kanawha Valley. As a result, the movement for West Virginia statehood proceeded without serious threat from the Confederates.

Features and Facilities:

1. Patterson House Museum

2. Three overlooks of the Gauley River

3. Four reservable shelters

4. Hiking Trails

5. Softball and Volleyball areas

6. Playground equipment

7. Restrooms

8. Horshoe pits

9. Picnic facilities with tables and grills

• Online at: www.carnifexferrybattlefieldstatepark.com